Lexus RX test drive since 2008 SUV

The first test drive of crossovers of the new generation Lexus RX

Very few cars managed to create a new class and determine the brand as it turned out for Lexus RX. I am listening to the public more than 10 years ago and designed mainly for suburban real estate merchants and their friends from California, coming to stay on the weekend, RX 300 immediately after appearing in dealerships at the end of 1998, I helped increase the sale of Lexus by 60%. Then, the means of transporting aristocrats from Lexus began to gradually evolve: a hybrid transmission appeared, the exterior freshened and the details of the details appeared, which helped to further consolidate the success of this model. In the 2010 model year, the RX melody remained the same: a couple of instruments joined it, she received a new bit and a modified Khresheno.
The concept of a crossover is now fashionable to attach to the most various cars, but the Lexus RX series goes back to the most first American Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) to the beloved and hated AMC Eagle. Lexus RX managed to ensure a stable position and prove that there is a very real alternative to SUV vehicles. The design was restrained, the salon was designed in a typical luxury atmosphere for the end of the 1990s, and the supporting body provided an extraordinary smoothness compared to the huge SUV-lane of any rapper, widely represented in the dealerships of Lincoln and Cadillac.
The new Lexus RX in general did not undergo significant changes: it was slightly heard in volumes, and its exterior was subjected to a small refinement for a more complete compliance with the sophisticated Lexus style. The excessively licked silhouette of the previous model gave way to the cut lines and the wide arches of the new model, which give it a more squat, but still deprived of aggression. The new RX is provided by a wider wheelbase of 56 mm in front and 66 mm behind, and its total length now is 2,741 mm. The increased volumes positively affected the spaciousness of the salon and controllability, but the RX board for stately proportions and improved security became weight gain. The standard RX350 with a drive to the front axis became almost 227 kg heavier than its predecessor, and all -wheel drive equipment is another 180 kg. The RX450H hybrid things are not much better: its front -wheel drive version gained 208 additional kilograms, and the model with all -wheel drive became harder for 201 kg. But, despite the weight gain, which was promoted by the finalized transmission and the lobe resistance coefficient increased to 0.33, the fuel consumption was reduced: RX350 now consumes 13 liters per 100 km in urban mode and 9.4 l on the highway in the front -wheel drive in the front -wheel drive performance, and in an all -wheel drive 13 liters in the city and 9.8 liters on the highway; The front -wheel drive RX450H will eat 8.4 liters per hundred kilometers in urban mode and 8.7 liters per 100 km of the highway, and all -wheel drive equipment is 8.4 liters and 9 liters, respectively.
A fake-cutting radiator, headlights and back optics have become more dynamic, in addition, they are perfectly combined with the rear door racks, body lines and an elegant spoiler mounted in the roof and completely hiding the rear wiper. The radio antenna is also attached to him. RX450H can be distinguished by a bluish shade of the emblem in front and back, optics and Hybrid nameplate. The basic equipment is equipped with halogen headlights and 18-inch wheels, while the Sport version boasts xenon and 19-inch wheels, as well as such options as: special shock absorbers, more rigid springs and a redistributed electronic steering wheel.
Lexus philosophy is also perfectly felt in the interior: the dashboard, the central console and the navigation system are completely updated. Updated navigation and a completely new sensory distance controller are the most outstanding items inside RX, making Idrive/MMI/Comand systems understandable even to your grandmother. The controller fits comfortably in the hand, the control buttons are located on the sides. If you ever had to use the computer mouse, you will not have problems with this device. The controller controls the movements of the arrows on the 8-inch satellite navigation monitor, helps to enter the addresses using a virtual keyboard and, impressive most, begins to vibrate slightly if the arrow leaves above the screen. The remote and voice control system has established itself well during our test drive, although it will be a little difficult to learn how to manage it.
Both RX350 and RX450H have an indicator of environmental friendliness, which in real time displays the level of fuel saving on a special display with blue backlight, and information about speed, navigation and condition of the audio system is displayed on a new display with a projection, which does not distract at all from Roads neither in the city or on the highway. There are also front seats with electric drives, set up by 10 parameters, a engine start-up system for Smartaccess, a standard audio system with 12 columns (or Mark Levinson about 15-dinos), a hard drive, optional monitors in front seats, and also The chambers of the lateral and rear view, the image from which is displayed either on a 2.4-inch display mounted in the rear-view mirror, or on the monitor of the satellite navigation system (option).
Lexus engineers replaced the rear suspension with a two -leaf, which allowed to completely remove the rear racks from the luggage compartment and bring the luggage volume to 1,113 liters. The front suspension was also modernized: it received a reptile stabilizer, which positively affected controllability. Double -piston disc brakes are now called upon to stop the RX in weight of the RX.
In terms of security, the new RX is staffed in full: the system of complex control over the movement of the car (VDIM) monitors the operation of ABS, the stabilization system of the course stability (VSC) and the anti -circus system (Trac). The new Lexus RX is equipped with a start-up system for lifting (Hill-Start Assist Control), which prevents rolling when starting on an inclined surface both when moving forward and when reversing. He also has an adaptive anterior optics and a proprietary collision prevention system (PCS), equipped with adaptive cruise control, which, in the event of a situation preceding a clash with ahead of the car, pulls the seat belts and activates the system for braking (Brake Assist).
Under the hood of the RX350 of 2010, the model year still carries its V6 service with a volume of 3.5 liters with the DOHC system, although now it has 5 additional horses and 8 nm of torque; The peak power is 275 hp. (reached at 6,200 revolutions per minute) and 348 nm of the moment (available at 4,700 revolutions). The inlet and graduation collectors, cylinder heads and the gas distribution phase system were finalized, which now works with the inlet and release. The 5-speed transmission, installed on previous models, gave way to a 6-speed assault rifle with very fast and almost imperfect switches (the merit of the AI-SHIFT intelligent system system). Both front -wheel drive models and all -wheel drive are equipped with her. The all -wheel drive system in RX 350 is built on a viscous coupling as a central differential: it transfers either 100% of the torque to the front axle or distributes the moment between the axes in a ratio of 50/50. It’s not that someone was very interested in someone, but the all-wheel drive RX350 accelerates from place to hundreds of 7.5 s, and the front-wheel drive model passes this magical mark for one tenth fraction of a second faster.
The Lexus RX 450H is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 with the Atkinson cycle, it has lightweight electrical engines and a compact power control unit, which made it possible to increase fuel economy by 8-12% compared to RX 400H. The engine develops 245 hp. At 6,000 revolutions in the minute (it used to be 208 hp) and 317 nm of torque (instead of the previous 287 nm), and when electric motors are connected, the total capacity increases to 295 hp. Ni-mh-batteries with a capacity of 288 B are located under the rear seats and accumulate energy from two or three engines, depending on the configuration of the drive (constant full or front).
We traveled mainly along suburban routes, periodically finding ourselves on the country roads of the northern part of California, where the RX 350 and RX 450H showed themselves with reliable passable cars for daily trips. Both a hybrid and standard models respond perfectly to the work of the gas pedal, the power is supplied very evenly, with several peaks and a pair of small failures. When the road conditions become more complicated, RX without much stress retains the previous pace, since the suspension has very comfortable settings. In principle, we did not expect any extravaganza from this car. Inhibition and turns are given easily to it, the only one still feels an increase in weight when turning the steering wheel, erected by the Lexus brand in a small cult.
Over the past ten years, Lexus has learned not to spoil the indisputable success, which not all of its models receive, RX 350 and RX 450h this is confirmed: they put all points over I. There are many more exciting and attractive means for the movement of five people with luggage, but RX never sought. The meaning of the model is the destination, not the process of traveling to it. And that is why RX has its own market segment, and it does not need to dissolve feathers in order to defeat the public on the spot.
 
 
 
 
 

Source: autoblog.com