The Updated RX exterior features a new,
more elegant and aggressive frontal design. An enhanced interior offers
an expanded choice of colour schemes, new trim finishes, a new steering
wheel, a revised instrument binnacle and a second generation Remote Touch
Interface (RTI).
The versatility of the RX 450h’s Lexus
Hybrid Drive system has been enhanced by the addition of a Sport Mode,
supplementing the full hybrid powertrain’s Normal, Eco and EV (Electric
only) drive modes. The EV mode can now be activated with a separate switch.
Further enhancing the dynamic and sporting
character of the updated RX and designed to attract new customers to the
model range, a new F SPORT version will be available. The new F SPORT grade
features bespoke exterior and interior design and driving dynamics technology.
With the launch of the first RX in 1998,
Lexus created the Luxury SUV segment, combining, for the first time, all
the flexibility, practicality and durability of a Sports Utility Vehicle
with the handling, performance, refinement and ride of a luxury sedan.
The RX was the first SUV to be equipped
with a full hybrid powertrain in 2005. Today, after three generations,
two of which have been equipped with Lexus Hybrid Drive technology, the
RX remains a key model for Lexus.
Exterior Design
The updated Lexus RX range is hallmarked
by a bold, elegant and highly individual frontal treatment which will be
adopted throughout the brand to strengthen the Lexus family identity between
model ranges.
Giving the updated RX a powerful, commanding
road presence, this new, more aggressive design is a further evolution
of a styling cue first developed on the CT 200h and GS model ranges.
The inverted trapezoid upper grille and
slanted lower grille have been combined and integrated into a single element,
bridging the bumper mid-section to create a prominent ‘spindle’ shape.
Reinforcing this more modern and bolder identity, the lower grille now
features horizontal bars and finished in black.
Positioned on a higher plane than the
grille itself –a unique Lexus characteristic- a new, clear lens headlamp
cluster design incorporates a choice of halogen, High Intensity Discharge
(HID) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) headlamps. The headlamps are underscored
by integral LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) which form the L-finesse arrowhead
motif, reinforcing the unique visual signature of the updated RX model
range.
Now also fitted with clear lenses, the
rear lamp clusters have also been redesigned with a stronger, more sweeping
horizontal emphasis, adding elegance to the rear of the vehicle.
The current choice of 18” or 19” aluminium
wheels is expanded by the addition of a new 19” alloy wheel design, and
three new exterior colours are available – Silver Lining Metallic, Fire
Agate Pearl, and Deep Sea Mica, bringing the choice of colours available
to 7 in total.
Interior Design
Further broadening the appeal of its
spacious, luxurious and technically advanced dual-zone ‘crossover’ cockpit,
the updated RX interior features an expanded choice of colour schemes,
new trim finishes, a new steering wheel, a revised instrument binnacle
and a second generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI).
Adding to the choice of interior colour
schemes available, Saddle Tan, and F SPORT-exclusive Black and White-Grey
designs join the existing Parchment, Black and Light Grey line-up.
The choice of trim inserts has also increased;
luxurious Espresso and classic Dark Grey complimented by the addition of
modern, Black bird’s eye maple and F SPORT-exclusive Silver finishes.
Clearly differentiating it from the smooth
leather finish, the semi-aniline leather upholstery now incorporates diamond
shaped perforations. Seat stitching has been enhanced by the use of thicker
thread and more prominent colours, and the dashboard design enlivened through
the addition of a matte silver insert above the glovebox.
A new, more comfortable steering wheel
features a cross-section which is no longer uniform throughout its circumference.
Its varying profile allows for a relaxing grip and smooth steering inputs.
Wood finish steering wheels are now available with heated rims.
The driver’s instrument binnacle of
RX 450h versions is equipped with a new Hybrid System Indicator design
featuring clearly delineated, Charge, Eco and Power zones. New ambient
illumination changes according to both driving conditions and the selected
drive mode.
In EV (Electric only), Eco or Normal
drive modes, when the Hybrid System Indicator needle is in the Charge or
Eco zones, the ambient illumination is blue. It will extinguish if the
needle enters the Power zone. In Sport mode, the ambient illumination remains
red at all times.
The centre console box has been extensively
revised to enhance its practicality. The console lid opening angle has
been increased to 95 degrees to improve access. Both the USB port and accessory
socket have been moved closer to the top of the box interior, which now
features a closable door and a removable divider plate.
The updated RX model range is equipped
with a second generation Remote Touch Interface (RTI). This Lexus-unique,
multi-function control device has been enhanced for increased user-friendliness
and ease of operation. It now features the world’s first slide-type joystick
mechanism which functions much like a computer mouse, and the ENTER command
is now accomplished simply by pushing the controller.
In conjunction with enhanced RTI control,
the multimedia system’s full colour LED display now has multi-screen capability.
This allows for the permanent display -and independent control- of three
types of information simultaneously, such as map, vehicle information,
audio, navigation input, air conditioner functions and incoming call.
Drive Mode Select (Normal, Sport,
ECO and EV)
Supplementing the Normal, and Eco drive
modes of the full hybrid powertrain’s E-CVT intelligent electronic transmission,
a new Sport mode further improves the performance and dynamic ability of
the RX 450h. These three drive modes can be selected through the steering
wheel, whilst the EV mode (electric only) can be now activated through
a separate EV switch.
From start-up and at speeds of less than
50 km/h the RX 450h automatically operates in EV mode, driving under electric
motor power alone. The driver may also select EV mode manually. This unique
driving mode is only available through the full hybrid technology of Lexus
Hybrid Drive.
The EV drive mode allows for relaxing
urban driving with minimal noise, and zero CO2, NOx
and particulate emissions, for up to two kilometres. Because the petrol
engine is switched off throughout its operation, the EV drive mode contributes
to a significant reduction in the new Lexus’ overall fuel consumption.
In Eco mode, throttle response to aggressive
accelerator pedal inputs is reduced and air-conditioning control optimized
for improved fuel economy. Depending on driving conditions, the Eco mode
can help customers adopt a relaxed driving style, and can achieve a perceptible
reduction in fuel consumption.
Specifically tuned to deliver greater
electric motor power, Sport mode maximises the updated RX 450h’s performance
and agility. It not only modifies the throttle and Electric Power Steering
(EPS) settings to give a faster response to driver inputs, but also provides
less intrusive operation of the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction
Control (TRC) systems, allowing drivers to fully exploit the Lexus full
hybrid’s extended dynamic abilities.
The distinct character of each drive
mode is further reinforced through changes to the driver’s instruments.
Lit in hybrid blue for the EV, Eco and Normal drive modes, the instrument
panel ambient illumination automatically alters to red when the Sport mode
is selected.
ALL-NEW F SPORT GRADE
Further enhancing the dynamic and sporting
character of the updated RX and attracting new customers to the model range,
a new F SPORT version is now available.
The new F SPORT grade features bespoke
exterior and interior design and driving dynamics technology.
Exterior Design
F SPORT versions of the updated RX are
instantly identifiable by significantly more aggressive, model-unique frontal
styling. A deeper, more vertical front bumper incorporates a bigger lower
section of the Lexus family ‘spindle’ grille design.
Incorporating a full-width, aerodynamic
spoiler for improved high speed stability, the lower bumper’s flared extremities
house deeply rebated fog lamps. Both upper and lower grilles feature a
F SPORT-specific mesh design.
In profile, F SPORT models may be identified
by exclusive, 19” shaded alloy wheels and front wing F SPORT badging.
Interior Design
The F SPORT-exclusive interior is hallmarked
by an exclusive, Black and White-Grey colour scheme. It features black,
smooth leather upholstery with white-grey perforations and contrast stitching,
steel silver painted trim inserts and a black headliner to give the interior
a more cockpit-like feel and aid driver concentration.
Performance Dampers
F SPORT models further benefit from the
lateral performance damper system, which is designed to absorb and minimise
undesirable body vibrations, offer a more linear steering feel and contribute
to improved ride comfort.
In lieu of conventional fixed bracing,
the system features a front performance damper connecting the left and
right front suspension towers, and a rear damper connecting the left and
right sides of the rear lower back panel.
With a construction similar to that of
a typical monotube suspension damper, the front and rear performance damper
assemblies differ according to the variations in body rigidity, noise and
vibration of their surroundings, optimising their ability to absorb body
torsion, flexure and fine vibrations.
Their installation has reduced vehicle
floor vibrations across a wide frequency range, reduced body deformation
through a drop in left and right front suspension tower displacement, and
even lowered audio system white noise levels.
Though difficult to analyse even using
Computer Aided Design, micron-sized, minuscule vibrations manifest themselves
as a slight discomfort when turning the wheel and minute deviations in
vehicle behaviour during straight line acceleration. Their elimination
brings a new dimension of steering response, agility and ride comfort to
the premium SUV segment.
8-Speed Multi-mode Automatic Transmission
with Paddle Shift Control
The 8-speed automatic transmission of
the RX 350 F SPORT version is now equipped with a steering wheel-mounted
paddle shift control. The paddle switches can be used even with the gear
selector in D range, allowing the driver to quickly change to fixed range
mode without the need to engage S range via the gear lever.