Lexus RX test drive since 2012 SUV

On 70 "horses" more comfortable

More than 180 kilometers per hour, the new Lexus RX350 did not want to go. He was shaking and feverish. The car dropped speed and for a moment stopped responding to the gas pedal
 

And all because the new Lexus had just managed to feel the ground with wheels, running for all its existence no more than 12 kilometers! He still had a run -in, and it is extremely recommended to drive during this period. And in general, is it necessary?

In the full sense of the word, Lexus would not be quite sincere: the 3.5-liter engine was previously installed on the GS 350 sedan, and the five-speed box went from the previous Er-Ix. Outwardly, the car does not differ from the three hundred and thirty, and the changes in the interior are reduced to the emergence of a powerful and expensive Mark Levinson audio system, which is previously available only as an option.

 

On the other hand, an increase of 70 horsepower could not but affect the behavior of the car, adding to him agility, and the driver of a mischievous light in his eyes. He also led to increased claims to new heights in the premium SUV class. And all the Arsenal necessary for this Lexus RX350 has.
 
Prices:
The Lexus RX350 is sold in three trim levels, the prices for which start from $ 59 950. The pneumatic suspension is available from the second configuration ($ 65,700). The basic RX350, including, is equipped with 9 airbags, rich in an electric packet (there is only only steering electro-regions in the database), ABS, EBD, BA brake systems, as well as a VSC course stability system, MP3/WMA with a magnetol (8 dyna-miks) with CD) with CD) -Heuhger on 6 disks, xenon headlights and a five -speed automatic gearbox.
 

In the interior, everything is still luxurious, technological and convenient. Leather chairs have a lot of adjustments and have memory for several landing options. The steering wheel, doors and the central console are finished with a varnished tree (option), in the middle of which the audio system control and satellite navigation is stylishly inscribed. On the central tunnel, the box moved (also trimmed with wood) is located (also trimmed with wood). By pressing the Open button, its wings open like the elevator doors, freeing the space under an ashtray or glass.
 

With the advent of the new engine, Lexus RX did not become an athlete, but you can’t blame him for slowness and excessive imposition. From the set of speed does not catch breathing, but presses the leather chair in the back of it properly. The acceleration of up to 100 km/h Lexus RX350 needs as much time as you need to not in a hurry to read this offer 7.8 seconds. It didn’t work out how much he needs to accelerate to two hundred: the electronic limiter interrupted all our efforts with light vibration and the cessation of fuel supply at a speed of 180 km/h.

  

In the movement, Lexus behaves, as is appropriate to a car that transports a particularly important person. He will not bother those sitting inside with jerks when switching gear; You forget about the fact that the suspension can make noise or react with shocks to bumps. The operation of the engine can only be seen at the tachometer arrow, and the vibrations are extremely reduced by reinforced front and rear subframes. With intensive acceleration, the rustle of the engine does not grow into the hum, and at the same time you can talk at least in a whisper. Unless not everyone will be able to shout out a powerful Mark Levinson audio system.

 

One of the tools for conquering Russian (and not only) motorists front and back pneumatic suspensions that allow without leaving the salon and without resorting to the wrench, to change the height of the road clearance. By pressing the button on the central console, you can select the suspension mode, varying between the normal, high and low levels of the clearance height.
 

In Normal, moving at a speed of more than 100 km/h, the system will automatically lower the body 8 millimeters. In reduced mode, Low, the car can be pressed to the ground by 1.5 centimeters, reducing the center of gravity and providing more acute controllability. And on the off -road, when you will have to move almost crawling, an increased mode, High, will increase the road clearance to the maximum 21 centimeters, saving the bottom and bumper from contact with the relief of the road.

 

The interaction of the steering and chassis is mainly tuned for a comfortable ride. The reactions to the actions of the steering wheel are accurate and understandable, but slightly smoothed out, as if information from the rail first passes through a couple of extra sensors, and only then it is transmitted to the wheels. But this delay is felt exactly so much as to understand the difference between RX350 and sports sedans. You yourself tune in to a measured and smooth ride, it gives much more pleasures in Lexus.
 

The car is provided for the test by the official Lexus dealer in St. Petersburg Lexus-Primorsky


Text: Alexander Sigalo
Photo: Roman Ostanin
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 

Source: Wheel magazine [No. 103/2006]