Lexus NX News

The Japanese prestige brand has previously shied away from turbo engines, instead persisting with hybrid setups to deliver the same sort of power and efficiency as its all-turbo competition.The new 2.0-litre turbo engine is a first for Lexus and will power the NX200t initially, before being applied to the IS sedan and RC Coupe. While the four-pot’s power output is being kept quiet for now, around 200kW is expected in its highest state of tune.Set to be unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show later this month, the new NX will join the quickly growing luxury crossover SUV segment, competing with the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q3. The NX has a muscular profile with Lexus’ now familiar spindle grille dominating the car’s design. Piercing LED headlights flank that enormous gob and detached hook-shaped daytime running lights sit below. Physically the NX isn’t a big car (it’s based on the Toyota Rav 4), but wide wheel arches and heavily sculptured door panels add visual weight and chunkiness to the design.At the rear the NX incorporates a pair of taillights which are similar in design to the pointy units found on the RC Coupe. Two wheel options are available, 17-inches on the standard car and 18-inches on F-Sport models. Overall the exterior design is sporting but perhaps a little fussy and over styled in places.The NX SUV’s interior design is far less dramatic than its exterior with a slim vertical central stack housing all of the buttons. A screen controlled through Lexus’ touch pad sits atop the dash displaying navigation, phone and media information. The screen can also show a boost meter or G-sensor read out – precisely the things you need in a small family SUV. The new model also comes equipped with more useful technologies like a head-up display, blind spot monitoring system and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The Japanese prestige brand is also debuting a clever wireless charging tray for portable devices in the NX.Initially the NX will be available with three different engines in the NX200, NX200t and NX300h. The 200 is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder, while the 200t uses the same motor but with a turbocharger. Power figures are being kept quiet until the model’s Beijing debut, however the 300h is expected to use the same hybrid system as the IS300h sedan which musters 133kW and 221Nm of torque. The NX will be offered in front or all-wheel drive form. The new Lexus luxury SUV will be unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show on April 20. 

The future Lexus NX crossover has been leaked in a video filmed during the recent Detroit motor show. The footage of Toyota's US chief executive Jim Lentz was ostensibly focused on his view of the industry's -- and his brand's -- future, but may have shown more than he intended.First spotted by Autoblog, the presentation included a slide showing an SUV labelled as the LF-NX, but looking considerably different to the concept that wore the name at the Tokyo motor show in November.The aggressive styling of the concept has been calmed down, with a less imposing iteration of the spindle grille and smoother bumper treatment, offset with headlights that echo the new Lexus IS and RC models -- all signalling we're looking at the production version of the new RAV4-based SUV, and could see it unveiled as soon as Geneva motor show in March.It will likely go on sale in overseas markets afteer mid-year, and if secured by Lexus Australia could arrive here in the final quarter of 2014.The Tokyo show car was powered by an all-new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine -- tipped to appear in a NX200t variant in production. Expect it to be joined by a NX300h hybrid, with a new version of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, with other versions also on the cards to face off against the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA Class.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

With bold aggressive styling, the new Lexus NX crossover is in training to go head to head with the likes of Range Rover's stylish Evoque and others in the luxury crossover field – including BMW X3 and Audi Q3 (with Benz yet to offer an entry here in this growing segment).Still in concept form, the NX Turbo is a city car that targets the growing appetite for smaller, more urban-centric premium, compact crossover vehicles around the world. Smaller and more compact than the current RX wagon, it will mark the debut of Lexus's first turbocharged petrol engine, in the guise of a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo with all the mod cons including fuel saving stop-start.THE TURBO ENGINESLexus showed this car earlier this year at Frankfurt with a hybrid powertrain and unveiled another version this week at the Tokyo motor show with a turbocharged petrol engine. At this stage it is not saying which engine the new crossover will carry when it comes to market, but it is expected to offer a choice of both engines in line with its current philosophy.Lexus has not revealed many details of the turbo which is still in development but has confirmed it will support a variety of sizes topping out at 2.0 litres. It's expected to make its debut in the NX later next year. The turbocharged power plant follows the current trend to smaller, force fed engines that deliver the same kind of power as larger naturally aspirated units but offer better economy and less engine emissions.It will match the current 3.5-litre V6 for power and torque and is expected to eventually replace the V6, with the addition of balancer shafts to provide the same smoothness.THE DETAILSThe 2.0 litre, four-cylinder unit combines Lexus' advanced high tumble port, fan spray fuel injection, D-4S and VVT-iw combustion technologies with a cylinder head-integrated exhaust manifold and a twin scroll turbocharger with an active wastegate valve.Through optimisation of the exhaust gas temperature, the cylinder head-integrated exhaust manifold combines a high level of performance with fuel efficiency, clean exhaust emission reliability, while the twin scroll turbocharger operates effectively across the widest possible rev range.It targets fast throttle response and spirited performance while demonstrating outstanding fuel efficiency.THE CARThe striking exterior reflects a further evolution of the L-finesse design language, dominated by a huge version of the Lexus spindle grille, with smoked chrome trim and mesh insets. Signature front lighting features three diamond-shaped LEDs and independent daytine running lights underscored by a full-length LED turn signal strip.High gloss black toughens the looks of the wheel arches and lower rocker panels, while the rear features taillights extending the full depth of the bumper, with a full-width, air diffuser and highly sculpted chrome exhausts.WHAT'S INSIDE?The interior mirrors the NX Turbo's highly sculpted exterior. The centre console extends the full length of the cabin to create two separate rear seat cockpits. A brushed metal finish accents the instrument panel, steering wheel, seat structure and the overhead console, complemented by yellow and black leather with contrasting stitching.The dash features new generation touch-sensitive, electrostatic switches and the new Lexus remote touch interface, which combines a modified touch tracer display with a new touch pad design for smooth and intuitive use.VERDICTThe NX is a striking vehicle and it needs to be. The last thing Lexus wants is to deliver a car that goes unnoticed. We're guessing the final version won't be radically different and Lexus Australia can't wait to get its hands on the car.

Lexus has updated its LF-NX compact SUV concept for the coming Tokyo motor show, giving it a cosmetic touch-up around the nose and a new turbo engine in the lead-up to its move to production status.Largely unchanged in appearance from the car revealed at Frankfurt motor show in September, the LF-NX has sprouted a front under-lip spoiler integrated into the nose's aggressive styling -- much of which is aerodynamically functional, with styling cues such as the vertical lines performing as an air curtain and helping channel air flow to the front brakes.Under the bonnet it gets a newly developed 2.0-litre turbocharged engine -- likely to morph into a NX200t variant when the new Toyota RAV4-based compact SUV hits production.When that happens, expect it to be joined by a NX300h hybrid, with a new version of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Other variants may follow, as Lexus positions the NX to steal some of the success of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA Class.The concept will be unveiled at Tokyo motor show on November 20, and more details about the planned progress to production time could be revealed then.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Lexus has issued a challenge to the prestige crossover market with the unveiling of the LF-NX concept at the Frankfurt motor show this week. If built – and we’ve no doubt the concept is leading to the showroom floor – the LF-NX concept will face off against the likes of Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA Class.The LF-NX at the show is powered by a new evolution of Lexus’ Hybrid Drive technology specially tuned for crossover performance, and features a razor-sharp new look that takes the “L-finesse” design language to a new level. Finishing it off is a novel brushed-metallic silver finish, accentuating the strikingly angular body.With a wide stance that amplifies an aggressive attitude, the sleek exterior of the LF-NX takes cues from the revamped 2014 Lexus IS sedan, it is also equipped with the same independent Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The front of the car draws into the signature Lexus spindle grill, with jagged contours tessellated all around.Production versions of the LF-NX will undoubtedly be toned down significantly, but we expect proportions and the majority of design details to be retained in the road-going variants, likely to be offered as a new turbocharged four-cylinder NX200t and a hybrid sibling NX300h.Lexus has clear intentions of luring younger buyers with the LF-NX. "The new LF-NX concept explores the potential for a compact crossover within the Lexus model range. This concept is youthful, confident and innovative,” executive vice president of Lexus Mark Templin said at the unveiling.The younger demographic will be switched onto the next generation of in-car technology in the LF-NX’s cockpit-like cabin. Touch-sensitive electrostatic switches and a central Remote Touch Interface (RTI) allow the driver to dynamically configure display features on the dashboard.