Lexus celebrated its 14th anniversary of operations in the country by unveiling its all-new fifth generation RX at their new showroom located at the ground floor of Mitsukoshi BGC mall.
As announced by Lexus Manila Inc. Chairman Alfred V. Ty, the Mitsukoshi showroom will be the exclusive home of electrified Lexus vehicles.
The all-new Lexus RX is the result of Lexus’ engineers anticipating the demands of this rapidly changing, environment-conscious, and forward-thinking world. This is omotenashi, or anticipatory hospitality, at its finest. The new look, upgraded features, and electrified powertrains will forge a new path to craft a more powerful, stylish, and sustainable Lexus RX.
The RX mid-size SUV is the brand’s journey towards a changing, environment-conscious, and electrified automotive market. The RX also retains the brand’s philosophy of “omotenashi,” or anticipatory hospitality where passengers and the driver is cocooned in an environment with all the accoutrements of a Lexus vehicle.
Sporting a new look, all its three variants to be sold in the country will be using electrified powertrains and unlike the previous generation RX, all variants will only be available in the 2-row, 5-seater configuration. These powerful and yet efficient hybrid drivetrains are the perfect balance in the brand’s direction towards sustainability in a country where EV charging remain few and far between.
The base RX 350h hybrid electric model comes in two variants and comes Lexus’ new 2.5-liter in-line 4 petrol engine, delivering a smoother engine while achieving better fuel-economy. The smaller displacement also contributes to reducing the overall vehicle weight than its previous generation V6 engines. The high performance top-of-the-line RX 500h F Sport variant is the brand’s first performance-focused turbocharged hybrid, which comes with DIRECT4 drive force control, which appeals to customers who want a high-end electrified performance. Using a new parallel hybrid architecture, it uses a turbocharged 2.4-liter turbo petrol engine, and six-speed transmission.
The hybrid system has an integrated front motor and power control unit, a hybrid battery, and a compact 103ps rear e-axle. The entire system output is rated at 371 ps with 550Nm of torque, propelling the RX 500h F Sport from 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 6.2 seconds.
Visually, the front of the all-new RX sports the new ‘spindle body’ design which allows the continuity of the iconic ‘spindle grille’ design of the previous generation model and identity into the new RX with a stronger integration of the grille and is paired with sharper headlights. The body also has a wider track with an added 15mm width, a 60mm longer wheelbase, and it has a lower roofline of 10mm, allowing a more aggressive and dynamic stance.
Inside, Lexus developed the Tazuna cockpit concept to provide a more focused environment for the driver. This Japanese term means it is using reins to control a horse, and the Tazuna ensures a direct yet intuitive control. The multimedia screen, multi-information display, single-dial meter, centralized gauges and head-up display are laid out in such a way that it can be read with minimal eye and head movement.
The new RX uses Lexus’s GA-K platform with a completely redesigned rear to extend the wheelbase and accommodate additional cross members and suspension braces for increased rigidity. This allows a more accurately tuned suspension for added performance and comfort.
For the RX 350h Executive and RX 350h Premier variants, power delivery on wheels is controlled by Lexus’ innovative all-wheel drive E-Four AWD system. It has a motor at the rear axle for near-instantaneous drive force application in low-grip or acceleration scenarios. For the RX 500h F Sport, power is delivered to the wheels via by DIRECT4, an exclusive new Lexus drive force technology that is also featured in the new RZ 450e battery electric SUV.
This intelligent all-wheel drive system uses a separate electric motor and inverter to constantly balance the power and torque between the front and rear axles in any driving situation. It automatically and seamlessly adjusts the level of the drive force between the two axles—more quickly and precisely than any mechanical system could.
Locally, the Lexus RX is available in three variants, each with a hybrid drivetrain. The RX 350h Executive (P5,058,000); RX 350h Premier(P6,188,000); and RX 500h F-Sport (P6,668,000). Lexus has undertaken a complete reinvention of the RX large luxury SUV, building on the model’s great heritage and breaking new design and technology boundaries to increase the breadth of its capabilities and its appeal to an even wider customer base.
For more info, visit the Lexus website at lexus.com.ph or visit its social media pages on Facebook and Instagram @lexusphilippines
PHOTOS BY ARDIE LOPEZ
