New Lexus RX 350
08-09-2002, 01:40 PM
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New Lexus RX 350
No pics yet folks sorry. But here is the general news from Autoexpress:
Lex have a look then..! Spy shots in the current issue of Auto Express magazine reveals next year's Lexus RX300 replacement, and they show how the firm's stylists have played it safe. The newcomer retains the original's curvy sides, low roof and angled windscreen. At the rear, the light clusters are also similar to the current car, although the engineers have gone to great lengths to cover this up by fitting fake units over the vehicle's tailgate.
However, the biggest changes will be under the bonnet. The Lexus will get a 3.5-litre V6 engine based on the current model's 3.0-litre unit, and not surprisingly, the car has al-ready been dubbed the RX350. The new powerplant is likely to offer a big power boost, with around 240bhp on tap compared to the current model's 201bhp. Only an automatic box will be offered, but it will have a Tiptronic-style semi-manual gearshift.
The new 4x4 will also have a longer wheelbase than the present car, and that should mean a smoother ride. This extra length - about 15cm - will also cut down the front and rear overhangs, making off-roading easier. The body will be slightly wider, too, which should give more stability when cornering. The overall effect is a much more proportionate look than the current offering.
Bigger external dimensions give greater flexibility inside - freeing up more boot space and allowing for the addition of two extra seats. This makes the RX350 a bigger threat to seven-seat rivals such as the Mercedes M-Class and Land Rover Discovery.
The quality facia of the present car will remain, although updated sat-nav and telematics will be incorporated into the dash of the flagship SE model.
Insiders say the RX350 will be unveiled at January's Detroit Motor Show, and will go on sale in Japan and the US in the spring. UK deliveries should get underway the following autumn with prices starting at less than £30,000, which is similar to the current line-up.
Lex have a look then..! Spy shots in the current issue of Auto Express magazine reveals next year's Lexus RX300 replacement, and they show how the firm's stylists have played it safe. The newcomer retains the original's curvy sides, low roof and angled windscreen. At the rear, the light clusters are also similar to the current car, although the engineers have gone to great lengths to cover this up by fitting fake units over the vehicle's tailgate.
However, the biggest changes will be under the bonnet. The Lexus will get a 3.5-litre V6 engine based on the current model's 3.0-litre unit, and not surprisingly, the car has al-ready been dubbed the RX350. The new powerplant is likely to offer a big power boost, with around 240bhp on tap compared to the current model's 201bhp. Only an automatic box will be offered, but it will have a Tiptronic-style semi-manual gearshift.
The new 4x4 will also have a longer wheelbase than the present car, and that should mean a smoother ride. This extra length - about 15cm - will also cut down the front and rear overhangs, making off-roading easier. The body will be slightly wider, too, which should give more stability when cornering. The overall effect is a much more proportionate look than the current offering.
Bigger external dimensions give greater flexibility inside - freeing up more boot space and allowing for the addition of two extra seats. This makes the RX350 a bigger threat to seven-seat rivals such as the Mercedes M-Class and Land Rover Discovery.
The quality facia of the present car will remain, although updated sat-nav and telematics will be incorporated into the dash of the flagship SE model.
Insiders say the RX350 will be unveiled at January's Detroit Motor Show, and will go on sale in Japan and the US in the spring. UK deliveries should get underway the following autumn with prices starting at less than £30,000, which is similar to the current line-up.
08-09-2002, 01:47 PM
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Originally posted by TypeSAddict
Motor Trend said it was gonna be a 3.3 Liter, and thus the RX330. Where did you get your info from?
Motor Trend said it was gonna be a 3.3 Liter, and thus the RX330. Where did you get your info from?
08-09-2002, 01:53 PM
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Originally posted by gavriil
It says where this came from.
It says where this came from.
http://www.motortrend.com/future/index.html
Look at 2004.
08-09-2002, 01:56 PM
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Originally posted by TypeSAddict
Whoops, skim reading rears its ugly head. However, go here
http://www.motortrend.com/future/index.html
Look at 2004.
Whoops, skim reading rears its ugly head. However, go here
http://www.motortrend.com/future/index.html
Look at 2004.
08-09-2002, 03:04 PM
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Yeah both RX300 and ES300 would get upgraded to RX330 and ES330, according to Motor Trend. I think there are two possiblities. First, Toyota is going to differentiate the Toyota brand and Lexus brand more, so people would not think that ES330 is the higher-class version of Camry anymore, and RX330 would be different from Highlander more and justify the price difference. But even so, cars like Avalon and Sienna would still get upgrade to 3.3L since most of their competitors like Odyssey and Maxima have larger displacement engine. The second possibiliy is that all Camry, Avalon, Solara, Highlander, Sienna would get the same 3.3L but detuned version of it. Think about it, Nissan Altima has a 3.5L with 240hp, Honda Accord has a 3.0L with also 240hp, but Toyota Camry has a 3.0L with only 192hp? If the sales figure for Camry drop dramatically next year due to the invasion of the new Accord and the new Mazda 6, Camry would get to 3.3L with at least 220hp. Toyota thinks enough is enough, but most people are greedy, why don't they get 48hp more when paying pretty much the same amount of money?
08-09-2002, 03:46 PM
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THere is also the possibility that the 3.5 liter engine will only go to Europe and we will get the 3.3 liter engine. Or that Moto Trend rumor/news is inaccurate since it is the least recent of the 2. Also, notice that the current RX makes 220 HP here while it makes 201 HP in Europe.
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08-09-2002, 03:53 PM
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The new 3.3 liter engine will replace EVERY Toyota/Lexus with a 3.0 V-6 OR 3.0 Inline-6. Lexus is looking to AWD and more tecno gadgets to seperate their line from Toyota.
Drive a ES 300 (ANY YEAR) for 10 minutes and you'll know why people buy em instead of a Camry. The 2002 Model is absolutely incredible inside, outside is an acquired taste.
Drive a ES 300 (ANY YEAR) for 10 minutes and you'll know why people buy em instead of a Camry. The 2002 Model is absolutely incredible inside, outside is an acquired taste.
08-09-2002, 04:51 PM
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Re: New Lexus RX 350
Originally posted by gavriil
The new powerplant is likely to offer a big power boost, with around 240bhp on tap compared to the current model's 201bhp.
The new powerplant is likely to offer a big power boost, with around 240bhp on tap compared to the current model's 201bhp.
08-12-2002, 12:05 AM
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Originally posted by Tom2
So are you gonna trade in your older model?
So are you gonna trade in your older model?
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