Lexus NX is a compact class crossover in which the Japanese company has never performed before. In September 2013, Lexus introduced the concept LF-NX. The serial version was shown at the Beijing Auto Show in 2014, but with the name, reduced to a simple Lexus NX.
The letter "X" in the title indicates the belonging to the line of crossovers, but "N" stands for nimble (agile, smart). The car is built on the upgraded platform Toyota RAV4 and shorter than its older brother RX by 14 centimeters. Compared with the concept, the serial version acquired traditional exterior mirrors and door handles, received less exotic front and rear lighting engineering, chopped body styles, and bumpers of impressive size acquired smoother and calmer outlines. But at the same time, the family connection between the concept and the serial version of the crossover can be traced in virtually every detail of the body.
At the front of the body, the main seat is reserved for the huge bumper with a false radiator grille in the form of a spindle. Headlights with neat triangles of headlights, daytime running lightning zips and even foglights are provided with LED content. The most aggressive front looks like a Lexus NX F Sport with a false radiator grille, a fine mesh tightened and an original bumper with a bright aerodynamic skirt. The back of the body, with the seeming simplicity and brevity, the effect and attractive. The original, stylish and beautiful marker lights with LED filling, convex shades go far on the sidewalls of the body.
A large, rectangular-shaped tailgate facilitates easy access to the rear. A stern bumper with traditional crossovers protection on the bottom edge of unpainted plastic ends the exposition. Not far from the prototype, the serial crossover salon ran away. Both the unusual center console and the complex torpedo geometry remained.
The interior has less angularity compared to other Lexus models, but the conservative spirit still reigns. True, there are signs of evolution. For example, the multimedia screen is still not touchable, but the system's joystick has been replaced with a touchpad. The buttons for controlling the electrified backs of the seats are duplicated wherever possible: in the back of the trunk, on the sides of the sofa cushion, and in the front - under the steering wheel.
Metal, leather, veneer and contour seat upholstery indicate that we have a premium class representative. Despite the small wheelbase for this class, the NX is quite spacious inside. The base is the front-wheel version of the NX 200 Standard, equipped with a two-liter petrol "aspirated" with a capacity of 150 horsepower and a CVT. It comes with dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, 17-inch wheels, an 8-inch color display on the center console. The Comfort package adds rear parking sensors, LED fog lamps with cornering lights, Tahara leather upholstery, a rain sensor, cruise control and a device for wirelessly charging the phone.
The basic version of all-wheel drive versions with a two-liter engine is also called the Standard, but it offers the same equipment as the Comfort. Next comes the Executive version, which includes 18-inch twin-spoke rims, leather trim and silver trim, and a rear-view camera. The top version for the engine 2.0 - Luxury, including a sunroof with electric, electric adjustment of the front seats and steering wheel, heated steering wheel, inlays in wood and a joystick control multimedia system Remote Touch.
The engine version of the NX 200t is the first turbo engine brand Lexus. It was called the 8AR-FTS - a 4-cylinder gasoline engine of 1,998 cc. The engine has a unique combination of technical solutions - it is equipped with a water-cooled exhaust manifold built into the cylinder head and a twin-scroll turbo compressor (twin-scroll).
Among the new technologies also direct injection D-4ST, modified for use in turbo engines, and variable valve timing system VVT-iW, which, if necessary, prolongs the intake phase and thereby ensures the work of the Atkinson cycle engine. The engine is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, adapted for the NX. The maximum power is 175 kW (238 hp.) At 4800–5600 rpm, and the maximum torque is 350 Nm at 1650-4000 rpm.
The NX 200t version is available exclusively with all-wheel drive transmissions. Buyers of this version will be offered the F Sport package, which includes an “aggressive” body kit, a different grille, other aluminum alloy rims, black-painted side mirrors, as well as sports accents in the interior and special shock absorbers. The most expensive versions of the NX are the hybrid 300h. The structure of the power plant includes a 2.5-liter engine operating on the Atkinson cycle, and an electric motor.
The total power is 197 horsepower. Hybrid differs from petrol modifications in existence of LED headlights, running fires and lamps. The top-of-the-line Exclusive package includes the Mark Levinson audio system with 14 speakers, navigation, four all-round cameras and a blind spot monitoring system.
