Lexus has launched its all-new, sharply styled luxury compact crossover at the Lexus Manila Showroom last August 28, 2014.
The NX is the Lexus’ first entry into the luxury compact crossover segment. It has been conceived under the development concept of “Premium Urban Sports Gear” as an edgy, emotional design intended to appeal to new customers who lead urban and active lifestyles.
The NX offers two powertrain variants, including a highly efficient hybrid in NX 300h, the first use of an all-new Lexus-developed 2.0-liter gasoline turbo in an all-wheel drive NX 200t.
The NX has an array of innovative on-board technology, including the first application of a new Lexus Remote Touch Interface with a touch pad, a comprehensive Multi-information Display (including a Lexus-first G sensor and boost meter), along with a host of other features. An optional F SPORT version provides more aggressive and sportier design with F SPORT exclusive items, such as spindle grille, front lower bumper, aluminium wheel, black outer mirror, interior color, ornament panel and sport seat for sporty drive. The chief engineer of the NX, Takeaki Kato, said “The NX was developed as a Premium SUV having high performance, numerous functions, packaged with alluring exterior and interior design, creating a sense of desire for acquisition”.
“Much like high quality sports watches, bikes and fashion, the NX represents the ultimate in premium urban sports gear,” he said.
“Luxury is epitomized by small but important details.” Examples of attention to detail in the NX include courtesy lights, exterior metallic flake for the wheel arches, the feel of the switches and other innovations that will set new standards for future Lexus models.
“Apart from the luxury touches, the NX was designed to complement daily life while also being capable of supporting an active lifestyle on the weekend.”
Exterior design
From inception to reality, the NX was substantially influenced by the LF-NX concept vehicles that were introduced in hybrid form at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, and later at the Tokyo Motor Show, powered by an all-new turbo drivetrain.
The NX has been designed to provide a feeling of agility not usually associated with an SUV while also being suitable for urban use. It embodies an aggressive form in order to make functionality and performance as “Sports Gear” evident at a glance.
The front and rear flares are fused to the diamond-shaped body that starts at the spindle grille. It is sculpted to look nimble with incredible power concentrated inside. The bold flared wheel arches housing 18-inch wheels provide a crouching, muscular stance. Innovative LED headlamps and daytime running lamps firmly express Lexus’ bold design language.
The side profile is accentuated by a roofline peak set towards the back of the vehicle to provide ample head-room for rear seat occupants and create a tight silhouette.
An innovative outer mirror and a world-first door handle mechanism (with a hidden key barrel and integrated lighting) add to the luxury appearance.
The rear is punctuated by Lexus’ signature ‘L’ shape combination lamps, each with seamless LED lighting, while the bodywork echoes the spindle grille design at the front.
Interior design
The interior of the NX brings a sense of excitement to the cabin atmosphere that directly evokes “Premium Urban Sports Gear”. The core idea was to combine the structural beauty of a high- performance machine with materials and textures that provide luxury and functionality.
The center silver frame is strongly embedded into the instrument panel to symbolise the strength of the crossover SUV. Strongly wrapped knee pads on both sides of the center frame firmly support the driver and passenger. Advanced HMI (Human Machine Interface) technology provides intuitive interaction and creates an advanced impression. The NX continues Lexus’ display and operation zone concept. Interior space played a significant role in the cabin design, and seating was a major focus. The NX possesses the lowest hip point in the segment, adding to the connection of the driver to the vehicle and increasing overall head room. The NX has the longest luggage load length and offers wide front to rear couple distance.
A quilted pattern in the seats and varied pad thickness are used to express the crossover intention of the vehicle.
The tough metallic feel of the dynamic center silver frame and the materials wrapped around it provide contrasting textures in tautness and softness. The combination creates a unique atmosphere expressed as “Lexus Urban Sports Gear”.
Two powertrains
A 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle hybrid gasoline engine is the largest in the NX line-up and comes in all- wheel drive.
Lexus NX introduces an all-new 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine to the Lexus powertrain line-up to achieve a balance of excellent fuel economy coupled with enjoyable acceleration and agile driving. The direct injection engine is matched to a 6 speed automatic transmission specially tuned for the NX.
NX 300h : The NX adopts highly sophisticated HV control especially developed for the NX, with proven Lexus 2.5-liters Atkinson cycle- engine, generator, motor and battery. Special features of the hybrid model include a power back door, power folding rear seats, and a sliding moonroof.
NX 200t : The new Lexus 2.0-liters turbo engine was tested for more than one million kilometers to be driven in various road conditions even in harsh environments. The new turbo engine has world-first combination of water-cooled cylinder head integrated exhaust manifold and twin scroll turbo charger.
A new 6-speed automatic transmission is adopted to match with the new turbo engine. The new 6- speed automatic transmission features new torque-demand control logic, which calculates required engine torque and maximize it, delivering quick response to acceleration and exhilarating acceleration feel with fuel efficiency.
Chassis and suspension
The NX has been designed for agile driving, handling stability, turning posture and ride comfort, including yaw-rate response to steering input and stability on uneven road surfaces.
The foundation for the vehicle’s sophisticated suspension is a highly rigid body with extensive underbody reinforcement. The new body has a comprehensive package of reinforcements, additional bulkheads and spot welding, suspension braces, and the use of Lexus body adhesive, laser-screw welding and high-rigidity glass adhesive.
Selected NX models have newly developed dampers and Lexus’ new-generation linear-solenoid type Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). Linked to the drive mode select system, it is able to change the level of damping force, enhance ride comfort and ensuring peace of mind due to reduced roll. .
Specifications
Overall Length x Overall Width x Overall Height : 4,630 mm x 1,845 mm x 1,645 mm
Wheel Base x Tread Front/Rear (with 225 tires): 2,660 mm x 1,580 mm/1,580mm
Engine Performance NX 300h: 194hp , 210Nm / 4,200-4,400rpm
NX 200t Max Output Max Torque: 235hp , 350Nm / 1,650-4,000rpm
The following Lexus NX variants are available for sale on:
NX 300h-August 28, 2014 P3,908,000
NX 200t-January 2015
NX 200t F-Sport-January 2015
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