Test drive Lexus RX 1998 - 2003 SUV

Open Europe

The Lexus brand Toyota marketer came up with America. Yes, so successfully that everything almost ended in an economic scandal. And after almost ten years, the Japanese reached Europe. For the tastes of the Old World, the Lexus RX300 is designed.
Exactly two years ago, Autopilot introduced his readers to a new car. Then the RX300 was delivered only to the American market, and we sold through gray dealers. Over the past two years, European car manufacturers have come to taste: models of universal luxury cars began to appear, in which the quality of the limousine is complemented by road functionality. Toyota reacted adequately: here is the version of the RX300 for Europe, and in Russia they are already officially traded in Lexus. However, in our opinion, a new car will be hospitably in almost all countries of the Old World.
IN GERMANY. The main changes are hidden inside the car, which was invited to reporters to evaluate on the highway in spurs of the Pyrenees. On the turns and in the ligaments of the steep turns, which abound in mountain serpentines, a reconfigurated suspension showed itself. On the smoothness of the course, its increased rigidity practically did not affect, but horizontal stability was noticeably increased. At the provocation of gas with strong rounding, RX meets the minimum roll, accompanied by a barely audible crunch from the side where the wheels of another car would have already gone in a skid. This is how the system of dynamic stabilization is triggered, which, when demolished into the turn, slows down the front and rear wheel from the side where the skid begins to occur or, conversely, with the signs that the machine begins to take out, slows down two front and one rear wheel.
In parallel with a change in the characteristics of the suspension, steering was redistributed, as a result of which reactive effects on the steering wheel and communication with the road have noticeably improved. The behavior of the machine is absolutely predictable, it has a pronounced sports character, and perhaps the heads of pseudo -sports sedans will give a head start and sharpness of reactions. On the asphalt.
IN SPAIN. We’ll make a reservation right away: it would be a mistake to use the concept of SUV in relation to RX300. The track in the foothills convincingly proved that he was quite capable of crossing the deep ditch, overcome the ford almost through the hub depth, climb a rampant gravel to a steep slope. But this is when under the wheels a relatively hard surface. In deep snow or mud all -wheel drive RX300 is not a competitor to jeeps with a traditional 4x4 transmission and a reduced number of gears. At the same time, its advantages over them on the asphalt and in urban conditions are obvious.
The Europeanized RX300, like its American fellow, is equipped with one engine-a 3-liter V-shaped six. Which, also, for the sake of European norms, is slightly changed: instead of 223 horses in it now 201, and the maximum torque has decreased from 301 nm to 283. Here one reservation is appropriate-this engine is equipped with a system for changing the VVT-I gas distribution phases and a configuration change device inlet tract. Due to what already 80 percent of the torque, as the manufacturer claims, are achieved at only 1600 rpm.
The maximum speed is forcibly limited. The passport marks the number 180. It is clear that the main role was played by security considerations, but even the maximum 180 km/h is not a threshold of the so -called comfortable speed: it’s not that you hold the steering wheel with two fingers, but the stability and behavior of the voltage machine does not create, but the stability and behavior of the machine, And it seems that one could go faster ...
IN FRANCE. But as for the appearance, the changes are insignificant. Looking more closely, you can notice the absence of repeaters of overall lights on the side parts of the bumper and a slightly modified and a slightly more toothy decorative grille of the radiator. The most important distinguishing feature was the blocks of the rear lights. Spectacular three-dimensional architecture combines a chrome edging with large dimensions of dimensions and stop-signals. This causes analogies with the nozzles of the reactive engine and has already become a distinctive feature of the last generation Lexus. The anterior optics has not changed externally, however, the characteristics of lighting and beam are brought into line with European standards, which, as you know, are also adopted in Russia.
IN ENGLAND. The visible changes in the cabin are equally minimal. The European RX acquired an updated steering wheel, as well as more pronounced protrusions on the front console, where the middle part flows down from it. Luxury and Lexus are synonyms, because the standard equipment of RX is very rich. In addition to the traditional cruise control, a complete electric packet, a double central locking lock and immobilizer, leather in the cabin, an automatic air conditioner with a microfilter, heating seats and Nakamichi audio systems with six columns, it includes electrochromatic (anti-boring and self-fitting) mirrors of the rear. Electro -regulation of driver and passenger seats in eight positions. The sensory control of the climate installation and the audio system through the trip of the trip-computer-the novelty. As an option, alas, the navigation system with DVD is not very relevant in Russia as a carrier and the output of information and the management of the map on the same display.
The hidden, but providing increased comfort to new products includes ASM - an active engine installation system, which monitors each beat of its operation and completely extinguishes all vibrations. The RX300 in the standard is equipped with an active safety system, which includes four pillows, four -channel ABS with the electronic distribution of brake forces, and the Brake Assist, VSC system (dynamic stabilization system), as well as an anti -circulation system and self -blocking differential of Torsen type.
And caring for passengers is traditional for Lexus. The rear seats are very convenient, three adults will be comfortably placed on them. And the high functionality of the luggage and passenger compartment is due to the possibility of longitudinal movement of the rear seats by 12 cm. They are folded separately, in a ratio of 60:40, and in a folded position form an almost even surface.
But what about us? But Russia was again deprived. The official presentation of the RX300 in the Russian market and, accordingly, the start of sales, is scheduled for the spring of 2001. The price for the Russian market has not yet been determined, but it is expected that it can be about $ 55 thousand. Such a large timeout was required in order to take a spectacular start in Europe, which, according to Lexus, will acquire 6-7 thousand cars in First year. And in vain. Two years that have passed since the appearance of the American version of the RX in the Russian market, demonstrated its demand among wealthy Russians. True, now BMW X5 and Audi Allroad have rolled out on our roads ...
Text Andrey Timofeev, photo of the author and Lexus

 

Source: "Autopilot"