Lexus RX test drive since 2008 SUV
Perfectionist
There is nothing surprising in the fact that the presentation and test drives of the third generation of the crossover of the premium Lexus RX350 premium took place in California, where this model was conceived back in 1993 Work on the third -generation project RX began in 2005 under the leadership of the chief engineer of Lexus of the famous Japanese designer Takayuki Katsuda. And if world brands producing mass cars focused on the production of small and medium-sized crossovers, and premium brands decided to continue to exploit the traditional commitments of a rich consumer and mainly only increased the size and power of their SUV and SUVs, Katsuda went forward along a other way. Given the world trends in the economy and ecology, he began creating a hybrid RX400H, which appeared on the market in 2005, simultaneously improving structurally and technologically (and ahead of competitors largely) a gasoline version.
So, the California Valley Ata. It is about 600 miles north of Los Angeles and 150 miles from San Francisco. The local roads are curled with a serpentine of steep turns along the slopes of the picturesque rocky mountains, covered with rich mixed forest, in which, reliably protected by law, there lives different animals (from wild turkeys and roe deer to the jaguars they are called mountain lions), then they run out into gold in literal and literally and literally and literally The figurative sense of the word valley. After all, grapes have been grown for 125 years here for 125 years, mainly Caburne of Sovignon. Excellent quality of California wines has long been appreciated by experts around the world, so the local winemakers live non -other, and mountain lions live not only in the resort reserve of the Valley. But most of the jaguars, as well as Mustangs, Merins and, of course, Lexus, including the RX of previous issues, is found on unhurried local roads, broken between countless vineyards covered with golden autumn foliage. The new RX350 also fit very harmoniously into the paradise landscapes of the attack valley, whose inhabitants, at our cursory glance, do not at all suffer from the World Economic Crisis.
We were offered for Pokatushki RX350 with an American and European suspension, which was the highlight of the dough (in a joking, but fair expression of a multi -peeled colleague in the Russian team of car journalists, which is especially to ride, Lexus and in Africa Lexus). At the RX350 press conference, they presented this way: a new platform, a completely updated model that has become the face of the brand. It is 30 mm longer, 40 mm wider and 15 mm higher. The place for front passengers increased by 18 mm. At the same time, the turning radius is the best in the class of 5.7 m.
In the exterior of the new generation of RX, the designers managed to successfully connect two incompatible ideas together: to give an elegant, intelligent look of a strong, muscular road fighter, while brightly showing a special style of exquisite Japanese design.
The cabin and front racks are maximally moved forward, creating almost a monytvy in the silhouette to emphasize the belonging of RX to crossovers. The classic branded grille of the radiator merges with the front bumper, which, in turn, occurs on the well -expressed front wheel arches, emphasizing the wide, reliable model. The clean and clear line of the rib, connecting the front and rear lights at the shoulders, gives elegance and completeness of the contours, and the stamping, stretching along the bottom from the front wheeled arch to the middle of the rear door, is a feeling of swiftness.
The functionality and subtle taste of designers are present in the entire exterior of the model. The sculptural lateral mirrors are good, combining not only tutors of the flashing lights, but also the flashlight of the platform backlight in front of the door and the lens of the video camera of the wheel position during parking. The wiper of the glass of the rear door, like the antenna and an additional stop-signal, is hidden in a porcaric spoiler, lengthening the cut of the roof.
The interior is no less thought out and elegant, in which, of course, only high -quality materials are used, including expensive wood, finely made out the skin or, if desired, a new leatherette, worthy of competing with a natural product.
The dashboard is divided into two zones. The first zone of displays is very convenient for a viewing by the driver: with the central monitor and the latest LED system on the lower edge of the windshield of such indicators as speed, upcoming turns, signals of adaptive cruise control and the notification system of obstruction in front of movement. The second zone of remote control of the devices and devices of the car, the luxury audio equipment from Mark Levinson with enveloping sound, navigation systems, mobile communications, satellite meteorological information. The remote control device with a joystick and buttons is located very conveniently, at hand at the bottom of the console, under the curtain of the automatic transmission lever.
The system of monitoring the surrounding area in which the rear, side and parking video cameras along with radar sensors, which practically does not leave dead areas around the car are involved in parking and maneuvering. Generally speaking, the comfort and ergonomics of the salon, including seats with electric drive adjustments, are outside of any criticism, that is, all according to Lexus.
Under the hood, a modernized gasoline 24-valve volume of 3.5 l V6 with an electronic system for changing the phase distribution phase (VVT-I). He added in power and now gives 277 hp. With a maximum torque of 346 nm. Acceleration to hundreds in 8 seconds. The unit satisfies the Euro-4 standard: in mixed mode, the release of CO2 250 g/km.
A new 6-speed automatic transmission is facilitated by 101 kg, in which energy losses are reduced by 30%. It provides an automatic distribution of traction between the axes in a ratio of 100: 0 and 50:50 (depending on the speed of movement and road conditions). The suspension is completely processed. The standard package includes an electric steering wheel amplifier, automatically adjusting the steering force on the speed. Optionally, a controlled pneumatic suspension controls the clearance (depending on the load and speed) is proposed.
On security systems, the designers pulled out in full. For example, there is a system of preventing and preventing a collision in which the front -review radars with sound and visual alarms are involved, the preliminary preparation system for the work, imposition of seat belts, the inclusion of emergency braking assistant and the car stabilization system. Alas, this system will not be installed on cars intended for sale in a number of countries, including Russia. But in the standard configuration, active cruise control, which at speeds is from 50 to 170 km/h also uses radars to automatically observe the distance to the passing car. Sedokov is protected not only by standard control systems for the distribution of traction, brake efforts, stabilization EBD, ABS, BAS, TRC and VSC, but also special particularly durable steel elements of the body and ten airbags.
Now about how it went. First, my partner and I went around the black RX with an American pendant. It was comfortable, boring and tedious. On steep mountain turns, the cars gently but deeply rolled, like a boat on the waves, the engine did not show agility, safety systems and suspension, as it were, isolated us from all the vicissitudes of the road. A kind of sour vessel for an American housewife, who is slow, with children for family affairs. The benefit of the high-speed mode is regulated at every turn, and radars-skostemers with video cameras are guarded by the road. However, for half a thousand miles, relying in two days, we have never seen a single dashing or traffic violator. They give it!
A completely different riding was on the red RX with a European suspension. There was a tangible dynamism, the steering wheel and brakes are informative, and the suspension itself. Active (high!) Sports manner of driving along the serpentine, and sharp accelerations on even routes were a success. As the astronauts say, all systems worked normally. Even great. Like Lexus.
The chief engineer of the Lexus RX project, the famous Japanese specialist Takayuki Katsuda came to Toyota Motor Corporation in 1985 to the chassis department. He was engaged in the development of modular electronic and electron-pneumatic pendants. From 1999 to 2001, he was sent to Europe and took part in the development of the European project Toyota Avensis and Corolla Verso. Having returned to his homeland, Katsuda heads the chassis department, has been engaged in promising and conceptual developments, and since 2003 he has become the chief engineer of the Lexus RX project. Takayuki Katsuda is sure that the car designer in his work should always remember about the requests of the buyer.
San Francisquomska
Mikhail Rostarkchuk
Source: Mkobil magazine [February/2009]
