CARS OF THE WORLD

New Lexus RX 350 2023.

New Lexus RX 350 2023. The Japanese unveiled the new Lexus RX 2023: the fifth generation crossover.

At the beginning of June twenty-second, the Japanese unveiled the new fifth-generation Lexus RX 5 crossover. Visually the model has remained recognizable.

It still draws attention with boomerang-shaped headlights, familiar sill line and a «soaring» roof.

At the same time, Lexus RX 2023 in the new body has got frameless grille and a little bit different plastic sides with smoother chamfering.

Its taillights are now united by a luminous bridge. The base has 19-inch wheels, but you can order 21-inch wheels.

Interior of the new model Lexus RX 2023 new model is made in the new style «Tazuna» (from Japanese it means «bridle»). Earlier the latter has already tried on the «younger» Lexus NX II.

Within its framework, the Japanese tried to intuitively place the control of all functions of the car around the driver. With the change of the generation crossover remained without touchpad on the center console, but finally got a touch screen multimedia system, which is now located closer to the driver.

Screen complex «Lexus Link Pro» can be 9.8 or 14.0 inches, although the predecessor maximum was 12.3″. The multimedia itself allegedly works 3.6 times faster than before, plus it boasts voice control, advanced online functionality, and remote access from a smartphone.

The Japanese crossover also gets a non-fixed gearbox joystick and contoured backlighting (a choice of 64 colors). For extra charge you can order the interior mirror with a screen to display a picture from the rearview camera.

New body Lexus RX 2023 also equipped with electric locks e-Latch (as on the MX). To unlock them from the inside, you just need to press the handle, and the electronics can not let the passenger leave the cabin. This can happen when danger is detected.

For example, if the sensors notice a car approaching from the neighboring lane. Although, the developers kept the possibility of mechanical emergency opening: to do it, one should pull the handle.

Unlike its predecessor, the new Lexus RX 2023 is built on a modular platform GA-K (a variation of TNGA architecture), therefore instead of MacPherson struts on the rear axle uses multilever.

The all-terrain vehicle retained the transverse engine layout and main front-wheel drive, while its center of gravity became 15 mm lower, which, according to the developers, allowed for a more driveable character.

The proportion of high-strength steels in the design became higher, so the rigidity of the body has also increased. At the same time the model is now 90 kg lighter: the fenders and hood are now made of aluminum.

With regard to dimensions, the new Lexus RX 2023 has a wheelbase of 2 850 mm (+ 60), and this increase was achieved by shifting the rear axle closer to the rear.

The length of the crossover has not changed — 4,890 mm, while the car has become slightly wider — 1,920 mm (+ 25), and slightly lower — 1,695 mm (- 10). With the change of the generation the volume of the trunk has increased, since it is the main increase in wheelbase (50 mm).

Unfortunately, the Japanese did not name the exact figures, but noted that the loading height of the compartment became 30 mm lower, and the rear seats can be folded in the proportion 40:20:40.

The power unit lineup of Lexus RX 2023 in the new body now consists only of four-cylinder engines — the Japanese refused from V6. Purely petrol version only one — with 2.4-liter turbo engine 279 hp (430 Nm), although in some markets it will be forced to 249 powers.

The unit works in conjunction with an eight-speed automatic. Drive can be front or all-wheel drive, and on a 4WD version acceleration from zero to a hundred is possible in 7.1 seconds. It is 1,1 seconds faster than the previous petrol version with a V6 which engine gave out 299 «kobyls» (370 Nm).

Lexus RX 350h, which has 2,5-liter atmospheric engine, an electric motor, a modest nickel-metal-hybrid battery and an electromechanical variator.

The peak output of such a unit is 245 hp (316 Nm). For extra charge, you can order the optional all-wheel drive E-Four, which implies the installation of an additional electric motor on the rear axle. In this case, acceleration from 0-100 km/h is possible for 8.0 seconds.

Also a rechargeable hybrid RX 450h+ has appeared in the range for the first time. It has almost the same installation as the 350h, but the system E-Four is in base already. Electric motors are more powerful here, and traction battery is already lithium-ion with 18,1 kWh capacity that thus can be charged from an outlet.

Peak output of the unit is 306 «horses». It takes 7.0 seconds to accelerate from 0-100 km/h. In purely electric mode, it can travel up to 65 km, reaching a speed of 135 km/h. The flagship of the family is the Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance.

This «hot» hybrid has a 2.4-liter turbo engine and a six-speed automatic, with an electric motor built in between.

The Direct4 system with a full-fledged electric motor on the rear axle is not the E-Four anymore, but is available for a surcharge. The latter adds 109 hp to the output, and the total output of the unit reaches 371 hp and 550 Nm of torque.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is 6.0 seconds. To charge such a crossover from a socket is impossible — he again has a small nickel-metal-hybrid battery. But it has six-piston brakes on the front axle and a fully steerable chassis.

For the «junior» versions, you can order the package F Sport Handling, which implies a sports body kit with another grille and a corresponding decor of the cabin. Also its structure includes tuned suspension.

The new Lexus RX 2023 model year is equipped with an electronic safety system «Safety System+ 3.0». The last consists of adaptive cruise control and numerous electronic assistants.

For example, there is a system of tracking the state of the driver. It can independently stop the automobile in case a person has fallen asleep or lost consciousness behind the wheel.

Start of sales of the new Lexus RX 5 generation on the market is expected in the fall of the twenty-second, and first sales of the gasoline and initial hybrid version will begin. But rechargeable hybrids will have to wait a few more months.

There is no information about prices and packages yet, we can’t wait for the crossover in Russia because of the special operation.