On a clear, moonlit night last Thursday, Lexus executives rolled up their sleeves and threw a fast ball by launching two new models to solidify their presence in the local market. Held at the newly renovated Lexus Showroom at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Daniel Isla, president of Lexus Manila led the festivities as he took the wraps off the Lexus LX SUV and the RX compact SUV.
“A few weeks before Christmas, Lexus unveils gift options for yourself and for your family. Lexus will redefine luxury by getting out of the conservative box. Lexus have combined elegance with modern expressions of boldness and fierceness without losing the sophistication and refinement of luxury,” says Isla in his speech before a well-heeled crowd.
Since its local debut in 2009, the Lexus RX has proven itself to be immensely popular with those needing the flexibility of a sport-utility vehicle combined with the driving comfort of a luxury sedan, all wrapped in an attractive, elegant package. The all-new RX’s mix of sharp creases and curves represents a bold evolution in the model’s styling, sharing the same design DNA with other recently-launched models in the Lexus line-up. Moreover, this luxury crossover adds advanced new redesigned hybrid and gasoline powertrains, sophisticated safety technologies, driver aids. It also welcomes new convenience and technology features to make this one of the best Lexus sport-utility vehicles offered to date.
The front view of the new RX is characterized by an emboldened version of the Lexus brand’s signature spindle grille, featuring a chrome-plated border and triple L-shape-LED headlamps. The new RX models are powered by two types of powertrains: a 3.5-liter direct-injected V-6 gasoline engine (2GR-FKS) mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 3.5-liter direct-injected V-6 gasoline engine (2GR-FXS) both with a revised hybrid powertrain components.
Lexus has given one of its workhorse a new lease on life with a fresh new look, an eight-speed automatic transmission and some significant changes in its front fascia plus a slew of amenities to pamper its occupants. Aside from aggressive and stronger styling the LX 570 keeps its strong 383-horsepower, 5.7-liter V-8 engine, but gains an eight-speed automatic transmission in place of the outgoing model’s six-speed. There’s also a new Drive Mode Select system, like what’s already used in other , that lets the driver control powertrain and suspension settings, including those of the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS).
Lexus has also added several high-value items to the LX 570’s standard-feature set. A Panoramic View Monitor is now included, as is a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Assist. Another standard feature is the Climate Concierge, which monitors four different zones of the interior this is a cabin that’s large enough to have its microclimates, after all and can vary the fan speed and temperature of the vents as well as settings for the seats and steering wheel. Second-row sunshades are now included, too.
Closely related to the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX is built on a sturdy, off-road-capable body-on-frame structure, and it hasn’t been completely redesigned since the 2008 model year.