Al-Sayer and Lexus announce the launch of new NX 300

An amazing drive for every journey

KUWAIT: Mohamed Naser Al-Sayer & Sons and Lexus announced the launch of the new NX 300 in the Middle East with a sleeker and sporty exterior and sharper handling performance. Since its introduction in 2015, the Lexus NX 300, formerly known as the NX 200t, quickly captured the hearts and minds of admirers with its combination of luxury, fresh, and contemporary design, and enjoyable driving dynamics.

Its sales performance has been stronger than even Lexus anticipated, breaking sales forecasts in all the world markets where it is available. In efforts to sustain this positive momentum and reinforce the NX’s strong appeal, Lexus has initiated a package of revisions and improvements, covering exterior and interior styling, safety, and equipment features.

Game-changing luxury crossover

According to Mahmoud Abou-Zahr, Business Director, Lexus Kuwait, “The Kuwait automotive market place is predominantly represented by youth who are expressive in their views as well as extremely vibrant in terms of their choices and lifestyle. They tend to have a stronger association with vehicles offering unique, cool, sporty, agile and enjoyable driving experience. Developed at all stages from the perspective of young, urban and luxury drivers as the Premium Urban Sports Gear SUV to set new standards for future Lexus models, the new NX has been a top player through emotionally appealing to affluent youth.”

Takeaki Kato, Chief Engineer of the Lexus NX, said: “For the new NX, we made bold refinements to the design, elevated its performance, and added new features to enhance its comfort and convenience. The new NX still possesses the same elements that have made it popular in the past-a sharp design, everyday’s convenience, and driving pleasure that will satisfy all enthusiasts, but the vehicle as a whole has evolved dramatically, as you are bound to see and feel when you first experience it.”

Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative of Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, said: “We are very excited to announce the launch of the new NX, which comes with a new range of enhancements in design, convenience, and safety, along with an added layer of meaningful luxury to express our customers’ unique personality. The new NX with its stylish design and superior driving dynamics reflects the evolving needs and aspirations of luxury customers in the region while shining a light on our vision to create amazing experiences. We are grateful to our customers in the region who are our constant source of inspiration, and we are confident that the new NX will surpass their expectations and enable them to express their individuality.”

“The NX embodies 25 years of Lexus research and development having the best-in-class craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology. This is the reason the NX was launched two years ago in Kuwait as “the birth of a new star” and NX will continue to be a star in its segment,” added Mahmoud Abou-Zahr.

The new NX’s advanced turbocharged 235-hp, 2.0liter engine combines fuel efficiency with outstanding power output, generating exhilarating acceleration for sporty driving, together with exceptional fuel economy. The NX is also available with features offering both driver and passengers comfort and convenience such as a mobile phone wireless charger, a dual zone air conditioner, a unique power reclining, a power folding 60:40 split rear seat, in addition to a hands-free power backdoor to name a few.

As with any other Lexus models, safety remains a top priority for the new NX so it will include the brand’s innovative Lexus Safety System+, in addition to a comprehensive array of safety features to protect its occupants, such as eight SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), among many others.

Bold new exterior

Lexus strives to build a stronger, more emotional connection with its customers and this reflects in the way it designs and engineers its vehicles. Lexus designers thoroughly enhanced the design essence of the original NX model, which has proved so appealing to car enthusiasts around the world with details that further increase its visual impact. The entire front fascia of the new NX has been refreshed, with the upper portion of the grille and the front bumpers redesigned to fluidly blend into the hood and front doors, resulting in a sleeker overall shape and excellent aerodynamics. The new NX’s available AHS-equipped headlamps and triple projectors give the NX’s face a sportier aura. Also of note, satin and smoked chrome trim elements have been applied to the grille treatment in addition to new vertical elements added to the grille’s inner portion.

“Starting at the spindle grille, the way the front edges connect to the front fenders results in a much bolder expression than before, clearly highlighting the NX’s style design architecture,” said Shin Kamiura, NX’s Exterior Designer, Lexus Design Division. “We have also changed the shape of the lower front bumper to better support the spindle grille, as well as relocating the fog lamps to the corner of the front bumpers, separating them from the ducts. The result is a front fascia with a stronger and more aggressive presence.”

The 2018 NX’s rear end has received styling touches to help match the sportiness of the front. The lower rear bumper cover now involves elements of the grille’s spindle motif and has been broadened to enhance the vehicle’s wide stance and low-center-of-gravity look. In addition, the NX’s revised taillights have been elongated, and the black garnish has been altered to better emphasize the ‘L’-shaped lenses. Also, the new NX features larger chrome-tipped exhaust tips that are integrated into the vehicle’s improved bumper cover design and new rear underbody spoiler.

Sleeker, sporty exterior and sharper handling performance

Interior: An authentic driver’s environment

Lexus has always been at the forefront of change, and its customers influence and shape all the innovations it delivers. The interior of the new NX has also been reworked to exude a sportier nature and a more luxurious feel. There is also a focus on improving the ease of use, convenience, and comfort of the equipment features, faithful to Lexus’ commitment to the principles of Omotenashi (hospitality).

The first thing you are bound to notice is the larger multimedia display on the center dashboard, which has grown from 7 inches to 10.3 inches. Also, the climate control panel in the center console has been dramatically simplified with a number of buttons being replaced by four easy-to-operate toggle switches. These have a high tactile quality with a raised pattern of small metallic Lexus ‘L’-shaped motifs. The central analog clock has been made larger, with a clearer face and a more pronounced outer ring. As well as being easier to read, it has a GPS control that automatically adjusts the time as you drive through different time zones.

Nearly all the controls and switches inside the new NX, including the drive mode selector, shift knob, and door handles, now have a metallic satin finish, enhancing the premium look and feel of the cabin. Even the audio knob and window switches feature a metallic coating.

On the center console, the remote touch interface pad has been enlarged and redesigned for easier operation, and the palm rest has been reshaped for maximum wrist comfort. The wireless charger tray has also grown in size to accommodate larger smartphones. In addition, the USB ports have been more optimally positioned in the center console, and their amperage has been increased for faster charging.

Convenience and versatility define the NX 300, which features a world-first power folding 60:40 split/recline rear seat. The reclining angle can be adjusted using switches located on the sides of the rear seat. The rear seat can be folded or returned using switches located on the sides of the rear seat and driver’s seat, as well as inside the luggage compartment.

Additionally, the 2018 NX adds the convenience of hands-free power backdoor - a foot-operated system that can be used when the user’s hands or arms are full, such as when carrying goods. Placing or kicking up one of your feet toward a sensor beneath the rear bumper cover opens or closes the electrically-actuated backdoor. The Lexus NX 300 is also available with a Mark Levinson premium surround sound system, which features a 12-channel amplifier to drive 14 ultra-high efficiency speakers that generate outstanding output with concert hall-quality sound. The vehicle’s sound system is adopted with Clari-Fi, a compressed digital audio restoration technology that helps play the music as close to its original audio quality by recreating the high-range and low-range sounds, as well as sounds of the natural vocal and stereo feelings that are usually suppressed when saving files in the MP3 format. Moreover, a new surrounding system technology allowing for even more precise turning than in the past that fills the cabin with natural sound. Two USB ports and one AUX mini-jack are available inside the console box.

Superb performance

Powering the NX 300 will be Lexus’ powerful and fuel-efficient turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine. Producing 235 hp at 4800-5,600 rpm with 35.7 kg-m of torque from 1,650-4,000 rpm, the engine features Torque-Demand control logic to calculate required engine torque to deliver a quick response and an exhilarating acceleration feel. The engine is also mated with a super intelligent 6-speed automatic transmission. The Multi-mode Automatic Transmission and G-force Artificial Intelligence (G-AI) system enable more spirited driving by selecting the optimum gear and downshift pattern in response to G-force.

Significant improvements have been made to the vehicle’s suspension tuning to enhance ride and handling. The springs, stabilizer bars, and bushings have been retuned for improved turn-in response and steady-state cornering. Also, new shock absorbers improve the quality of the NX’s already smooth ride. But the biggest new change to the NX’s chassis is the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which offers a range of up to 650 instantaneous compression and damping adjustments (up from 30) to more precisely control overall handling, stability, and control.

Reflecting Lexus’ utmost commitment to passenger safety, the new NX 300, comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features complemented with the addition of the preventive safety package, Lexus Safety System+, which integrates active safety technologies, such as the Pre-Collision System (PCS), Dynamic Radar Cruise Control System (DRCC), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Automatic High Beam (AHB). Apart from the Lexus Safety System+, other safety features are also available, including Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Tire Pressure Warning System (TPWS), to name a few.

The NX F Sport

The most athletic NX trim level, the performanceminded F SPORT, will continue to be distinguished by its pronounced mesh grille with jet-black plating and exclusive wheels that feature a bright machined finish with solid black paint.

Inside, it will receive specially textured Naguri aluminum ornamentation, which provides a high sense of elegance and sporty flair. The special white/black seating surface treatment is one of a few new interior color combinations that are exclusive to the F SPORT, as are the separate readouts for turbo boost and G-forces for the Head-Up Display (HUD).

The F SPORT also features Active Sound Control (ASC) to enhance the auditory experience. The engine note volume resonating through the cabin can be adjusted when the driver turns on ASC.