Test drive Lexus RX 2004 - 2008 SUV

The main thing is inside

The Lexus RX 350 cannot be called the result of restyling or Feyslifting RX 300, since no changes in appearance are observed. But we can talk about deep internal modernization. Improving the filling with the complete preservation of the exterior case for the modern auto industry, frankly, is uncharacteristic.

One way or another, on the occasion of entering the market of the new model, a full-fledged presentation and test drives in Italy were organized. The route included both serpentines and highways, there was even a dirt road. In the mountains, probably, they wanted to remind reporters that the all-wheel drive RX 350 is capable of something outside the asphalt.

The appearance and salon RX 300 are quite competitively not touched by them. But the power unit is not too convincing: 200 with a tail for a large car is not enough. Serious modernization was suggested. It was successfully held, and so I stand in the parking lot of a miniature airport in Siena with keys to a new car. Under the hood, he has a motor with a volume of 3.5 liters, a press release with a list of changes in the glove box, and I have two days a test program ahead.

By the way, the press release is very helpful. While a colleague from another edition is sitting behind the wheel, I am studying the list of improvements. As already mentioned, they are all hidden from the eyes.

The first and main engine, ultra -modern V6 with a capacity of 276 hp. Compared to RX 300, the novelty has an additional 72 hp. and 59 Nm, while the power unit manages to be more economical than its 3 liter predecessor by 8%. By the way, such a motor is also installed on the new generation of Camry. The aluminum cylinder unit, changing phases of gas distribution at the inlet and release (Dual VVT-I), the hydraulic control system of the valve clearance (Hydraulic Lash Adjuster; HLA), the variable length of the inlet tract (Acoustic Control System; Acis) ... and thoroughly voice! When the arrow of the tachometer exceeds the mark of 3500 revolutions, a pleasant sound penetrates into the salon.

The car, meanwhile, is gaining speed. A large motor is eagerly spinning and tells the heavy crossover decent acceleration. The RX 350 reaches 100 km/h 1.2 seconds faster than three hundredth. But the maximum speed is all the same electronics of 200 km/h.

Finally, it was my turn to get behind the wheel. The right hand habitually gropes the handles of electrical adjustments of the seat. With the soul and concept, the made chair immediately begins to buzz with electric drives. I have to state that with a height of almost 190 cm, I miss the vertical adjustment of the chair I want to lower a little. I visit and for short passages of the adjustable steering wheel (here is also an electric drive) the steering wheel remains a little further from the chest than it should. However, all these disadvantages are not critical planting, ergonomics are good. Yes, and there is a lot of space behind, and the floor is even. In general, everything is like RX 300.

The novelty has a more lively response to the work of the accelerator pedal, this is the declared improvement. And in dynamics the car added solidly. The five -speed machine operates conscientiously softly and quickly switches in Drive mode, honestly hangs in the selected gear in Sport mode. By the way, the updated automatic transmission algorithm involves the ability to jump when switching through the step.

The press release states that the RX 350 has reconfigured the suspension and improved feedback on the steering wheel. In fact, it was not possible to feel a cardinal difference relative to the 300th. The chassis is still designed to provide first of all comfort. Perhaps the suspension has become a little more collected. It would be possible to check this, be near RX 300. But alas

As for the steering, here Lexus RX by and large as it was, and remained. The steering wheel is light and empty in the near -Zone, which is somewhat annoying when moving in a straight line, when light steering is required, they have to be performed to the touch. But in the turns, the steering wheel shows a pleasant reverse effort, and it is not at all difficult to drive a car in an arc. Everything is in order with the brakes, there is nothing to complain about (it was on RX 300) tightly informative pedal, confident slowdown.

And how comfortable RX 350 on the go! The suspension leaves all the information about the flaws of the asphalt canvas, and only if you accelerate on the primer, unpleasant blows go to the body and steering wheel. But the speed should be really high. I managed to travel both by car with a regular spring suspension, and on the pneumatic version. The pneumatics have only one indisputable advantage of the ability to increase road clearance. On the go, the difference is not so obvious. The version with pneumatics is perhaps a little more comfortable.

Sound insulation is magnificent significantly better than on RX 300. Even the windshield makes its contribution here it is laminated and more effectively extinguishes external noises.

The colleague and I systematically increased the speed of turning the turn in order to verify the updated VSC stabilization system in the case, which now works in conjunction with an improved all -wheel drive transmission (Visseft has appeared in the center differential).

Well, the VSC contribution to passive security is difficult to overestimate, but the operation of the system on dry asphalt seemed rude. If the VSC feels that the case smells fried, she immediately begins to be warned warningly. And then sharply, defiantly blocks the fuel supply and slows down the wheels. Moreover, after the car stabilized, VSC recalls for some time in its existence inhibits the wheel and does not allow the motor to work. She is not aware that the driver had already made a compensatory movement of the steering wheel and actually caught the car himself.

Such unceremoniality can be justified by the behavior of the RX 350 in a maximum turn. The car does not demonstrate the expected insufficient rotation unexpectedly, willingly dings into a turn. And at the same time it is worth dropping the gas to drop the rear axle (it was obtained on the ground). True, there were frankly provoking actions. To influence the nature of the rotation, VSC preferred to work less with brakes and more with the locking of the center differential.

RX since its appearance in 1997 is the main Lexus impact force in all markets, whether it is American or European. During the production of both generations of the RX 300, more than a million cars were produced. Last year, 108,775 cars were sold in the North American market, which allowed Lexus to reach sole sales leaders in the luxury segment. In Europe, the indicators, of course, are more modest in 2005, ODU found the owners of 14,478 cars. And in total since 2000 (when European sales of the RX 300 began), approximately 53,000 cars were sold in this way, RX became the best among Lexus for European sales.

Today, any automobile class is developing rapidly, and in order for the model to be successfully sold in the future, it must constantly improve. The favorite of the public RX has also improved. And even if he remained the same, the results of the work carried out by the engineers of the work do not belittle. RX 350 received what recently lacked his predecessor, a number of valuable technical improvements, including the most valuable powerful modern motor. So the new RX is ready to confidently withstand its venerable European competitors.

Sienamoskva

Prices and equipment Lexus RX 350

The cheapest RX 350 costs $ 59,950. For this money, the buyer receives 17-inch alloy wheels, headlight washer, xenon light, fog lights, LED stop-signals, central castle with DU, leather steering wheel, leather steering wheel with audio system control, electroregulation and heating the front chairs folding in parts of the rear seats with adjustment in the longitudinal direction, adjustment of the angle of inclination of the hind backs, cruise control, rain sensor, heating of the windshield in the area of \u200b\u200bthe cleaners, separate climate control, cd player with a chainer for 6 discs, 8 speakers, set airbags (frontal, side, knee for the driver, curtains), alarm, gur, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, anti -circus system.
Having paid $ 5750 for a richer package, we get 18 inch wheels, the rear door with electric drive, the adaptive lighting system of the road, the backlighting system when boarding in the salon, electric regulation of the steering column in two planes, parking sensors, air suspension. The top version is estimated at $ 68,000 and additionally has a steering wheel with wooden decoration and hatch.

Text: Leonty Tyutelev
 

Source: Motor magazine [May 2006]