Automotive

Lexus hooks up turbo power in the new NX small crossover

Lexus hooks up turbo power in the new NX small crossover
The all-new Lexus NX crossover
The all-new Lexus NX crossover
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The Lexus NX 300h and 200t F Sport
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The Lexus NX 300h and 200t F Sport
A look at the underlying hardware of the NX 300h
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A look at the underlying hardware of the NX 300h
Inside the NX 300h hybrid trim
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Inside the NX 300h hybrid trim
Inside the NX 300h hybrid trim
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Inside the NX 300h hybrid trim
The all-new Lexus NX shares its bold spindle grille with other Lexus family members
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The all-new Lexus NX shares its bold spindle grille with other Lexus family members
The NX has LED taillights
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The NX has LED taillights
Lexus has not yet released all the powertrain details of the hybrid NX
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Lexus has not yet released all the powertrain details of the hybrid NX
The NX 300h uses a 2.5-liter engine-based hybrid powertrain
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The NX 300h uses a 2.5-liter engine-based hybrid powertrain
A look under the skin of the NX 200t F Sport
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A look under the skin of the NX 200t F Sport
A look under the skin of the NX 200t F Sport
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A look under the skin of the NX 200t F Sport
Lexus NX 200t F Sport
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Lexus NX 200t F Sport
The all-new Lexus NX crossover
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The all-new Lexus NX crossover
Folding rear seats open more cargo space
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Folding rear seats open more cargo space
Inside the back of the NX crossover
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Inside the back of the NX crossover
Folding rear seats open more cargo space
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Folding rear seats open more cargo space
The NX interior blends soft leather with hard metallic surfaces
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The NX interior blends soft leather with hard metallic surfaces
In the driver's seat
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In the driver's seat
Inside the NX 200t F Sport
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Inside the NX 200t F Sport
The NX has quilted seats
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The NX has quilted seats
Lexus will offer the NX in hybrid, gas and gas turbo versions
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Lexus will offer the NX in hybrid, gas and gas turbo versions
L-shaped combination tail lamps and spindle-mirroring elements define the rear-end
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L-shaped combination tail lamps and spindle-mirroring elements define the rear-end
The front fascia has been diluted from the LF-NX, but the big grille, air inlets and daytime running lamps show the concept's influence
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The front fascia has been diluted from the LF-NX, but the big grille, air inlets and daytime running lamps show the concept's influence
The NX has LED headlamps, fog lamps and daytime running lamps
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The NX has LED headlamps, fog lamps and daytime running lamps
Like other Lexus models, a big spindle grille dominates the central front-end
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Like other Lexus models, a big spindle grille dominates the central front-end
Lexus will launch the NX later this year
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Lexus will launch the NX later this year
Lexus NX 200t F Sport
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Lexus NX 200t F Sport
Lexus NX 200t F Sport
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Lexus NX 200t F Sport
F Sport badging
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F Sport badging
Lexus' first turbo four
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Lexus' first turbo four
Spindle grill close-up
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Spindle grill close-up
The NX rolls on 17- or 18-in wheels
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The NX rolls on 17- or 18-in wheels
The all-new NX 200t F Sport
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The all-new NX 200t F Sport
The all-new NX 200t F Sport
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The all-new NX 200t F Sport
The F Sport has a few body modifications, including a mesh grille insert and machined-finish wheels
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The F Sport has a few body modifications, including a mesh grille insert and machined-finish wheels
Lexus debuted the NX at this week's Beijing Auto Show
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Lexus debuted the NX at this week's Beijing Auto Show
The new NX slides in underneath the RX crossover
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The new NX slides in underneath the RX crossover
The NX 200t is powered by a new 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder
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The NX 200t is powered by a new 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder
Lexus NX 200t F Sport
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Lexus NX 200t F Sport
View gallery - 38 images

Lexus has revealed the production version of its NX crossover at this week's Beijing Auto Show. The small CUV has lost much of the crazy-eyed flair that it had in LF-NX concept form, but it does pack the marque's first gas turbo engine under its hood. Lexus will also offer a hybrid version when it launches the NX later this year.

"Positioned below the RX, the new NX model will provide an exciting entry point into the Lexus crossover and luxury utility vehicle family," explains Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "Its expressive design and turbocharged performance embody the technology and design focused direction customers can expect from Lexus."

That expressive design language manifested itself in a few choice four-letter words in the sliced and sculpted LF-NX concept, which Lexus showed at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. In the production NX, the language has been toned down to a more family friendly level. Even the aggressive F Sport trim, and its mesh grille insert, "bold" front bumper and machined-finish wheels, looks much more mild-mannered than its concept sibling.

The front fascia has been diluted from the LF-NX, but the big grille, air inlets and daytime running lamps show the concept's influence
The front fascia has been diluted from the LF-NX, but the big grille, air inlets and daytime running lamps show the concept's influence

Though the 182.3-in long (4.63 m) NX has been suitably civilized, some basic design cues from the LF-NX do shine through. These include the vertical inlets below the headlamps, large spindle grille, sharp, hockey-stick daytime running lamps, and crescent-shaped wheel arches. The crossover rides on 17- or optional 18-in wheels, and the rear wheels are accentuated by 3-dimensional haunches that step up from the lower side sculpts. The door handles include hidden key barrels and integrated lighting.

Lexus showed the LF-NX as a hybrid in Frankfurt and later as a turbo in Tokyo. Both driveline styles carry over to production. The 200t trim, including the 200t F Sport, is built around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with twin-scroll turbocharger. That engine sends output through a six-speed automatic transmission that uses torque-demand control logic to maximize torque for quick response and sporty feel. The second trim that will be offered in the US and other markets is the 300h. This model uses a hybrid system built around a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, motor, generator and battery pack.

Both the 200t and 300h variants will be offered in front-wheel drive and "all-weather" drive. Lexus has not yet released output figures or performance specs, but they'll have to come soon, considering the planned launch is just a few months away.

The NX has quilted seats
The NX has quilted seats

The NX interior was built around comfortable, ergonomic seats and includes the interplay of soft and hard elements. A low hip point helps to optimize driver position and increase headroom, while varying cushion thicknesses add support and comfort. Center stack kneepads offer cornering support for the driver and front passenger. Technologies include a Lexus Remote Touch Interface with touch pad, an optional Qi wireless charging tray, and a Multi-information Display with available G sensor and boost meter.

Lexus plans to launch the NX in US and global markets beginning in the second half of 2014. It will be available in Russia and China with a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine.

Source: Lexus

View gallery - 38 images
1 comment
1 comment
Griffin
That "bold,front grille" looks like it's missing a few,pieces... sitting at a body shop waiting for parts.
It would probably have looked better in a more complete triangular shape, with some trim around it, a little more like a jet intake.
There are too may unfinished lines&angles- the concept was different.
This just comes across as looking incomplete&jumbled, to me.
My Mother drives one of these- she hasn't bought a new one in awhile because of the grilles.
She thinks they're ugly.... this one just may push her to Kia.
Probably not Kia, but their stuff looks better than this and is A LOT cheaper.