Business World

The next-gen Lexus NX is now here, priced from P3.338M

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LEXUS PHILIPPINE­S has brought in the all-new NX which, the luxury car maker’s local distributo­r announced, “marks the beginning of a significan­t evolution of Lexus design.” The company said in a release that, “while remaining true to the brand’s main philosophi­es, the new model presents a more sophistica­ted, dynamic, and mature appearance and a more muscular character.”

The all-new version of the crossover is said to boast overall advancemen­ts in performanc­e, safety, and luxury — and is expected to surpass the discrimina­ting expectatio­ns of the Philippine luxury-crossover browsers. It started with an overall goal for “functional beauty,” with the NX boasting balanced, strong proportion­s with a powerful road-gripping stance. The overall length, wheelbase, width, and height have been increased for a more commanding presence on the road when compared to the outgoing NX. Lexus added that there is now more space for rear-seat passengers as well.

At the front, the hallmark Lexus Spindle Grille has been rendered more upright and with a subtler frame which accentuate­s the long bonnet and contribute­s to the overall form and volume of the body. The more upright position also improves the grille’s cooling performanc­e. In the rear are L-shaped rear combinatio­n lights with the signature Lexus blade lighting that spans the width of the vehicle. The oval Lexus emblem has been replaced with the “LEXUS” name emblazoned on the tailgate, creating a simple and more modern look.

Inside, the all-new NX marks the first applicatio­n of the brand’s new Tazuna concept for the driver’s cockpit design. Taking its name from a Japanese word describing a rider’s control of their horse using the reins, it focuses on giving direct, intuitive control of the vehicle, following the principle of “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.” Tazuna also adds to the rewards of the driving experience, making the driver feel confident and in control of the vehicle and surroundin­gs. More intuitive design groups all relevant controls together and brings them closer to the driver — from the multimedia screen, informatio­n display, and central gauges in one easy eye-level area to the starter button, shift lever, and airconditi­oning controls on another.

Additional­ly, designers worked with the brand’s takumi artisans to “perfect the design relationsh­ip between the steering wheel and shift lever.” The cross-section of the wheel provides the driver the best grip feel and ease of use while the shift lever now gives a snug fit at an ideal angle. Lexus also researched the shoulderto-fingertip distance of people around the world to define a layout that provides excellent control without disturbing the driver’s posture.

Passengers are greeted with an increased sense of spaciousne­ss plus an elevated level of comfort, quality, and attention to detail that are distinctly Lexus. For the front passenger environmen­t, the design goal was to create the feeling of a luxurious lounge, with no intrusion from the driver’s area. The cabin finish employs highqualit­y materials that both look and feel good. Comfort is addressed in details such as a precise front seat design with attention to the crosssecti­on shape of the seat, the position of the side-supporting bolsters and even the forming of concave areas to make space for the occupant’s elbows. Extensive use of materials to absorb and insulate noise and vibrations makes for a quiet and calm environmen­t.

Lexus Philippine­s said that all variants of the Lexus NX here will feature as standard the Lexus Safety Sense (LSS) suite of advanced safety features which include the Pre-Collision System (PCS), Adaptive High Beam System (AHS), Automatic High Beam System (AHB), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). The latest developmen­t of LSS introduces upgrades in performanc­e and functional­ity. These systems have also been tuned to operate in a way that feels more natural to the driver, and thus more reassuring, adding to the sense of driving confidence inspired by the NX’s new platform and powertrain­s. With this evolution, Lexus Safety System moves to the next level as a personal driving partner.

Three trims will be available in the Philippine­s. The NX 350 F Sport (P4.548 million) features a newly developed T24A-FTS 2.4-liter inline-four turbocharg­ed engine, a new high-torque Direct Shift-8AT, and a new electronic­ally controlled full-time AWD. In addition to the New Global

Architectu­re’s high-speed combustion system, the engine features the brand’s first center-injection direct-injection system and close placement of the turbocharg­er and catalyst in order to meet increasing­ly stringent exhaust and fuel economy regulation­s around the world, while at the same time being conscious of carbon neutrality. The system generates 279hp at 6,000rpm and while 430Nm from 1,700rpm to 3,600rpm.

The transmissi­on has been optimized for the turbocharg­ed engine, which can generate high torque from low revs. The newly developed shift control technology enables accelerati­on and decelerati­on that is faithful to the driver’s will and provides a pleasant shift schedule.

For the hybrid variants available in the Lexus NX 350h Premier (P4.488 million) and NX 350h (P3.338 million), these are powered by the A25A-FXS 2.5-liter inline-four mill with a high-output electric motor, and use a control logic exclusive to Lexus to achieve an optimized balance of accelerati­on performanc­e and reduced fuel consumptio­n. The gasoline engine develops 190hp and 239Nm of torque, while the front and rear motor generators add 182hp and 54hp, respective­ly. The NX 350h Premier comes with electric folding rear seats, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system, and a power rear hatch with a kick sensor.

For more informatio­n, visit Lexus Manila or the Lexus website at lexus.com.ph and social media pages (@lexusmanil­a). To arrange a consultati­on with a personal sales consultant, visit the Lexus Remote page at https://fal.cn/3eSWW or download the MyLexus App available for both Android and iOS users.

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 ?? ?? Touted as more sophistica­ted, dynamic, mature, and muscular, the all-new NX will come in three trims.
Touted as more sophistica­ted, dynamic, mature, and muscular, the all-new NX will come in three trims.

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