Lexus RX test drive since 2008 SUV

American dream

Lexus RX 350. Price: Not defined. On sale: since spring 2009
The premiere test drive of the new Lexus RX 350 in the heart of the American winemaking of the California Valley allowed to evaluate the difference between the American and European versions of the new Japanese crossover. To our pleasure, the comparison was not in favor of the American
Step into the Future
One of the main reasons for the pride of the developers of the new Lexus RX 350 was the original multifunctional joystick of the board computer and navigation system located in the lower part of the central console. The work of the new Lexus remote regulator is based on the principle of the usual computer mouse with the function of reactive power feedback and intellectual picking up the nearest active elements. In order to avoid involuntary presses when the car moves, the selection buttons are not in the joystick head, but on the side faces of the regulator and are activated by the thumb.
A quick, intuitive control and symmetrical layout allow both the driver and the passenger to easily and quickly control the cursor, getting access to the audio system, navigation systems, climate control, phone and car settings. The similarity of the Lexus RX 350 tactile regulator with the joysticks of gaming systems suggests that the logical next step in the development of this area can be an increase in the performance of automobile on -board computers with the subsequent installation of the widest range of computer games, including some modern simulators.
Whatever you say, America is inhabited by emigrants, and there is no getting away from this! Despite the Great American chauvinism, from under the motley star-striped shell of the White California elite here and there, mental longing for the historical homeland breaks through. The brightest example of this is the Valley of Ata under San Francisco the largest winery region in the United States, which is essentially nothing more than a small part of Europe in the very west of America. Dozens of winemakers are scattered across the valley in the image and likeness of Shampani, Tuscany, Riohi local winemakers proudly broadcast tourists about the glorious history and unsurpassed quality of their wines. And it doesn’t matter that this story has only a few decades, and most of the wines are too acidified to stand on a par with noble French varieties. For five million tourists visiting the attack valley annually, this does not matter. Most of them come here to touch their historical homeland. Here, in this green the valley of California, the boundaries between America and Europe are completely erased. And the fact that the debut test drive of the new Lexus RX 350 passed here is in many ways symbolic. The first acquaintance, as usual, is visual. What to say? RX 350 was younger: narrowed headlights and rear lights hidden in elegant dimples on the cheeks, round fog foggy certainly refresh the appearance of the model. However, to call the new Lexus a handsome language still does not turn. The fault of this is too massive cheekbones and the monstrous angle of attack of the lower plane of the short front history. This design makes RX 350 an ideal car to conquer steep slopes only Lexus is unlikely to be aimed at such entertainment. In this case, an aggressive front overhang is more like a tribute to aerodynamics. Changing the angle of attack of the lower plane and installing aerodynamic panels on the bottom, which allowed the maximum of laminizing the air flow under the machine, did their job. The RX 350 aerodynamic resistance coefficient is the lowest in class only 0.32!
The car has become more spacious both outside and inside. Compared to RX 350 of the previous generation, Lexus grew by 15 mm, became 30 mm longer and 40 mm wider. At the same time, the width of the salon increased by 52 mm immediately. But the main thing is not even in an increase in size, but in the total change of stylistic orientation of the interior design. The bulky symmetrical forms of the previous generation RX were replaced by an original sophisticated asymmetric layout with a beveled central console and an innovative joystick of the navigation system. The two-section dashboard in black and blue tones has become an order of magnitude more functional. The revolutionary information display, first made on the basis of organic LEDs, is remarkably read even from the passenger seat. A trifle, of course, but nice! As well as the system of automatic removal and the return of the seats, when the engine is turned off, it independently moves the steering wheel to the highest position and the driver's seat allotting 50 mm back. Having settled with it driving, click the start button, and the settings of the chair and the steering wheel are automatically returned to its original position. Go!
At first glance, it may seem that, despite significant improvements, the characteristics of the good old 2Gr-Fe engine grew only formally. Power growth of 1 liter. With. (277 versus 276) and torque at 4 nm (346 versus 342) do not really play a special role on the road. However, optimizing the design of the valve mechanism, the intake system of variable geometry, new nozzles that provide ultra -fruit fuel spraying, and the intellectual system for changing the gas distribution phases of the third generation did not go into the void at all. In almost the entire working range of the engine, this gave an increase in power and torque. Especially noticeable is the increase in the moment in the range of 23005400 min-1, which reaches 1015 Nm in absolute values.
One of the weakest places in the second generation was a permanent all -wheel drive system. In the new RX 350 distribution of the moment, the system of active distribution with a range from 100: 0 to 50:50 is directed, which increases the traction characteristics, the stability of the car and can significantly save fuel. In this aspect, the RX 350 does not know equal among classmates: only 10.6 liters per 100 km in a mixed cycle! Not the last role in ensuring fuel efficiency is played by a new 6 -speed automatic automatic machine.
However, on mountain serpentines, the HAP Valley can be forgotten: only on the descents the dashboard at times with a mockery winks with a green indicator with the letters ECO. Here, another feature of the new gearbox is much more important: with dynamic driving, the control system misses unnecessary transmissions, jumping on braking from 6th to the 3rd or 4th to 2nd. There was no trace of the former melancholy when passing the turns. A new double -leaf rear suspension, an adaptive power steering and increased by 50%, the body rigidity became the elixir that, beyond recognition, transformed the clumsy disposition of the second generation RX. We have a completely different car in front of us. The profiled turns of American serpentines RX 350 flies on the wings, clearly following the given path: no excess rolls, screening and nerve rearrangements. Even the excess weight of 100 kg, which the RX 350 gained during modernization, is almost invisible. The combined VDIM dynamics control system, if it interferes with the control process, does it extremely soft and unobtrusively. If it were not for the hysterical signing of the alarm, some of its actions could generally go unnoticed. This is where the difference in the settings between the American and European versions of the car is manifested.
Unlike Russia, in the United States, VDIM will not be installed in the basic configuration, but optionally. And the suspension settings for the American market are made much softer and more comfortable. Helping behind the wheel of an American, we immediately feel the difference. The stabilization system deprived of VDIM sharply pulls RX. In corners, the car is noticeably overwhelmed by the side. In a word, the story is the same as with wine: everything is the same in appearance, but a little sour. However, by American standards, just such Lexus on soft paws seems to be the ideal of the premium crossover. Of course, this American dream is unlikely to appeal to Europeans, but to argue with the Yankees about whose Lexus is better is like trying to dispute the quality of the wines of the attack valley. Fortunately, we have our own RX and our European wines!

Specifications
Mark and model Lexus RX 350
Dimensions 4770/1885/1685 mm
The engine is gasoline, 3456 cm3, 277 l. S./6200 min--1
Automatic transmission, 6 -speed
Dynamics Max 200 km/h; 8.0 s to 100 km/h
Competitors BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Volvo XC90

Comfortable
The castle with touching sensors on the front door handles allowed to get rid of the buttons.
Healthy
The side parking chamber noticeably facilitates the parking and maneuvering of the crossover.
Practical
The selector on the right knitting needle of the steering wheel allows you to change the settings of some car systems.

Advantages and shortcomings
+ Low fuel consumption, excellent controllability, the highest level of electronic equipment.
The absence of some options in Russia, a dock instead of a spare wheel.
Driving
Dynamic characteristics and handling are almost ideal for this class. The combined dynamics management system interferes with the control process very gently and unobtrusively.
Salon
Compared to some competitors, it is a little rustic, but ergonomic as much as possible. Several innovative solutions, such as the joystick of an on -board computer and a display based on organic LEDs, add charm and functionality.
Comfort
The emphasis on improving controllability made RX a little tougher, acoustic comfort increased significantly thanks to the installation in the wheel arches and above the panels of the bottoms of additional soundproofing gaskets.
Safety
10 airbags, including the knees of the driver and the front passenger.
Price
Not determined.
Our opinion
In the context of the financial crisis, the appearance of new models is one of the main tools for stimulating sales. The noticeable progress of the RX 350 in terms of controllability and efficiency, as well as a number of innovative solutions in the field of electronics, further enhance this effect, which may well allow the Lexus RX 350 to pull part of the customers from the camp of their direct competitors.

Author: Vladimir Makkaveev
 

 

Source: Magazine 5 wheel [December 2008]