THE all-new Lexus RX has been launched at a glitzy ceremony at the marque’s Ebrahim K Kanoo Lexus Showroom and Service Centre in Arad.
First launched in 1998, the Lexus RX aimed at creating the ‘blueprint for luxury crossover utility vehicles’ and its makers claim it soon ‘set the tone’ in the segment.
The fifth-generation RX has been completely re-imagined to deliver greater style, comfort and performance than ever before and comes with a choice of three powertrains, two of which are electrified to contribute to the realisation of a carbon-neutral society.
“It is all about what Lexus can offer from the moment any of its cars are bought, used or brought for service,” said sales executive general manager Ismail Akbar. “We seek reliability, credibility and excellent performance and presenting something that is strong and efficient.”
Vehicle development-in-charge chief engineer Takaaki Ohno said since the first-generation RX was born as a luxury crossover, the RX has grown to be loved by drivers around the world.
“Now in its fifth generation, we embraced change using the RX to bring the joy of exhilarating driving to even more customers as a Lexus global core model.”
It appears to have won over many of the leading motoring correspondents who have been impressed by the changes.
For example, carexpert.com’s automotive journalist Scott Collie said: “It has a longer wheelbase to free up more interior space, a new infotainment system designed to properly take the fight to what Germany’s finest have to offer, and more power across the board … it also packs a bold new look.”
The design also won the heart of Alistair Charlton, an automotive and technology journalist who has written for Forbes, Wired and the BBC. “Its front is sharp and angular, like that of a concept car, and the grille is unashamedly massive,” he said. “It’s a smart looking thing. The aesthetic is a big step forward for the RX, but the overall look is still unmistakably that of a Lexus.”
Complementing the all-new RX’s distinctive design is a thrilling drive personality imbued by three powertrain options. A newly-developed inline 4-cylinder, 2.4-litre turbocharged engine that produces 275hp and 430nm of torque is mated to a new 8-speed direct-shift automatic transmission (8AT).
Meanwhile, the new hybrid-electric system combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor to produce a total of 247hp, which is mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) to provide a fuel consumption value of 20.7 km/L.
A hybrid-electric system pairing a 2.4-litre turbocharged engine with an electric motor is also available, which provides a combined power of 366hp mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that offers fuel consumption of 15.5 km/L.
The all-new RX interior features Lexus’ ‘Tazuna’ concept for the driver’s cockpit. Taking its name from a Japanese word describing ‘a rider’s use of the reins to control a horse’, Tazuna focuses on delivering direct, intuitive control of the vehicle by following the principle of ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.’
The 2023 RX’s spacious interior offers ample luggage space and five newly-designed luxury seats with excellent legroom, including an 8-way adjustable powered driver seat.
Thanks to an intelligent tailgate design, the luggage compartment is now 50mm longer and can accommodate bulkier objects, while the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats enable long items to be easily transported.
Customers can choose from nine distinctive exterior colours, including the newly developed Sonic Copper. Meanwhile, the interior comes in a choice of four elegant colours, including the newly-developed DK-Sepia, a newly-available Hazel option, Black and Fromage.
The Lexus RX350 is available at BD28,600 (VAT included), Lexus RX350 F Sport at BD29,150 (VAT included) and Lexus RX500h at BD31,900 (VAT included).
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