Text: Original by Understand Chedi Zhou Tong
[Original product by Understand Chedi] In 2016, Lexus successfully passed the threshold of annual sales of 100,000 units. Three years later, with a year-on-year growth rate of 25%, it jumped into the 200,000-unit annual sales club. In 2020, it once again ushered in the highlight moment of achieving both "volume and position", and ranked first among the second-tier luxury brands with a sales volume of 235,000 units. Seeking progress while maintaining stability can be regarded as the epitome of and Lexus in recent years. They can ensure that sales continue to rise without lowering prices. It is difficult to find another such example in the Chinese market.
However, no matter how good the momentum is, "fresh blood" is needed to maintain it. 2022 is the first year of electrification for Lexus. Its first electric car RZ based on the e-TNGA architecture will be officially unveiled. However, it is difficult for an electric car to hold up the brand banner, which requires experts in the field of fuel vehicles. "Big Brother" is here to help. As one of the most prestigious models under the Lexus brand, RX has played a vital role since the birth of the brand, and now the fifth-generation model has officially arrived in front of us.
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The fourth-generation Lexus was launched in 2015, and it remains until now The replacement has just been completed. This slightly "old-school" iteration speed is not common in today's rapidly developing Chinese market. Of course, this also means that the new generation of models will have qualitative changes, and the TNGA architecture will give the new cars a new look.
The length of the whole vehicle and the front overhang of the new generation RX remain unchanged. The A-pillar position is moved back to set off the slender hood. The visual center of gravity of the cockpit falls on the rear
. It is different from the BMW that dares to "break the wrist of a strong man" and the innovative Tesla is different. Conservative Easterners don’t want to win “rank” with their looks. Lexus, which is not good at design, did not choose to build the new generation RX in an aggressive way. Based on the official pictures, we can also see that the overall outline of the new car is not much different from the old model, but as the saying goes, the details are the real deal and the freshness is Where the feeling comes from, we have to start from these "small places".
According to the official statement, the new car will reinterpret the iconic "spindle-shaped" design element into a "spindle-shaped body"
As the electrification wave sweeps the global market, the new generation RX will inevitably be affected. Its front face adopts a new borderless spindle grille shape. The intricate lines inside make the front face more textured. The missing chrome decorative elements also contribute to the "age reduction" campaign of the new car. .
The new center grille has reduced chrome decoration
F SPORT Performance has an exclusive appearance design, including an exclusive mesh grille, body-color surrounds, black stainless steel trim strips, 21-inch aluminum rims
"L"-shaped daytime running lights
Of course , as a repertoire, the new generation RX still continues the most classic "L" shaped daytime running lights of the Lexus family, which brings a high degree of recognition to the new car. From a distance, you can still tell at a glance that this is a car. Lexus. At the same time, a new light cavity layout is also adopted inside the headlight group, which still retains a sense of refinement and a stronger sense of technology.
The new generation of RX follows the suspended design introduced in the fourth generation model.
The body side shape design is not significantly different from the old model. This design style highlighted by the ridges is not outdated from today's perspective, and it still has a good look. The three-dimensional feeling will neither appear too bloated nor lack the style of a luxury brand. The shape of the C-pillar also continues the design style of this generation model, and you can vaguely see the fastback design of previous generations of RX.
The front fenders are made of lightweight aluminum, and the B-pillar is made of 2000 MPa hot stamping material. It is 90 kilograms lighter than the previous model.
The rear design is somewhat restrained, and the square rear window adds more space to the rear of the car. It has a somewhat heavy feel. The taillights naturally follow the trend and adopt a through-type design. The interior adopts a new layout, which not only echoes the headlights, but also has a high degree of recognition when lit.
The wheelbase of the new car has been improved
It is worth mentioning that the new generation RX is built on the newly upgraded GA-K platform. Compared with the previous model, the new generation RX has lowered the center of gravity by 15 mm through weight reduction and lowering the ride height. While the length of the body remains unchanged (the length of the current Lexus RX300 and 450h is 4890 mm, and the length of the 450hL is 5000 mm), the wheelbase is lengthened by 60 mm to 2850 mm, and the front and rear track widths are widened by 15 mm and 45 mm respectively. Reduce the inertial yaw moment.
The interior keeps pace with the times, and the sense of technology is significantly improved.
The interior has 7 color schemes to choose from.
The interior of the car is based on the Tazuna Rein concept. The overall layout is similar to the new NX, with a more obvious wrap-around cockpit layout. Details The car adopts two new materials of decorative panels , namely black water ripple pattern decorative panels and brown bamboo decorative panels. The surrounding design ambient lights further enhance the sense of class in the car.
Ambient lights provide a good sense of class
Depending on different configurations, the large central control screen has two specifications: 14 inches and 9.8 inches
In addition, the distance between the front and rear seats of the new generation RX has been increased by 12 mm, providing more comfort for rear passengers. Spacious seating space. At the same time, the height of the trunk floor has been reduced by 30 mm, and the depth of the space has been increased by 50 mm. It can accommodate four suitcases (two each with a capacity of 77 liters and 63 liters) or four 9.5-inch golf bags, making it more practical.
The size, shape, layout and display information of the physical buttons in the car have been carefully designed
The multi-function buttons on the steering wheel have a touch trace function and can be accurately synchronized with the HUD head-up display
In terms of configuration, the new car comes standard with automatic air conditioning system with three Zone independent temperature control function, the main, passenger and rear seats can independently control the temperature of each zone. In addition to seat heating, seat ventilation is also available as an option. At the same time, the e-Latch intelligent electronically controlled door replaces the traditional mechanical door structure. The safe exit assist function SEA can intelligently detect approaching vehicles and cyclists, issue a warning to the driver and cancel the door opening operation when necessary.
F SPORT sports style seats
In terms of sound insulation, the front door of the new car uses soundproof glass . The A-pillar and front windshield further optimize the layout and reduce wind noise. At the same time, the 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid model is also equipped with an ANC active noise reduction system.
Digital keys can also be transferred between smartphones, making it easier for relatives and friends to share vehicles.
At the same time, the new car is also equipped with a relatively fashionable mobile phone key. By installing a dedicated app, your smartphone can act as a digital key. Users can lock/unlock the doors and start the vehicle without operating the mobile phone screen. Even if the same digital key is compatible with multiple vehicles, multiple vehicles can be controlled with just one smartphone.
3 sets of power options are available, and the high-performance hybrid system makes its debut
The new car will provide 3 sets of power systems
The new generation Lexus RX based on the TNGA architecture will provide 3 sets of power systems for domestic users. The first is the RX 500h, which is equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged high-performance hybrid system, matched with the DIRECT4 electronic dynamic four-wheel drive system, and uses a T24A-FTS engine + parallel hybrid system + eAxle electric drive system. Next is the RX 450h+, equipped with a 2.5-liter plug-in hybrid system and matched with an E-Four electric four-wheel drive system. In addition, there is the more entry-level RX 350h, which is equipped with a 2.5-liter hybrid system and is matched with an E-Four electric four-wheel drive system or a front-wheel drive system.
In addition, the new generation RX also offers the RX350, equipped with a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, but there are currently no plans to introduce it into the country.
RX 500h F SPORT Performance high-performance hybrid model, equipped with a new hybrid system. The front power system integrates a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, motor and 6-speed automatic transmission system. The rear axle is equipped with a high-power eAxle electric drive system. The eAxle electric drive system fully integrates the motor, drive axle and inverter , matching high-power Power bipolar NiMH battery. The power system structure supports independent driving of the engine and motor, or hybrid driving of oil and electricity.
The new power system will bring more abundant power reserves to the new car
This time, RX 500h F SPORT Performance is also equipped with an aluminum monobloc opposed layout 6-piston brake caliper, which can improve more direct and linear braking. Feel. The dynamic rear wheel steering system DRS is a new configuration. At different vehicle speeds, the rear wheels can cooperate with the front wheels to achieve a maximum of 4 degrees of same or reverse rotation.
The steering structure support is made of high-rigidity die-cast aluminum, which helps achieve a more linear steering response
The DIRECT4 electronic dynamic four-wheel drive system launched on the electric vehicle RZ also appears on the new generation RX. Based on information collected from the vehicle's wheel speed, accelerator pedal and steering angle sensors, this four-wheel drive system can control the front-to-rear drive force distribution ratio between 100:0 and 20:80. During static starts and straight-line acceleration, the system's driving force distribution ratio is between 60:40 and 40:60 front and rear, which can effectively reduce vehicle pitch. In corners, it can provide different torque distribution when entering and exiting corners based on important information such as vehicle speed and steering angle. In addition to controlling vehicle pitch, it can also provide sufficient traction to achieve a smooth and smooth steering experience.
F SPORT models come standard with a linear solenoid valve-type adaptive variable suspension system AVS
In terms of suspension, the new generation RX uses front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension. Among them, the newly developed rear multi-link independent suspension avoids occupying the space in the car, and the shock absorber structure and suspension characteristics have also been optimized to reduce body vibration during driving. In addition, the GA-K platform has modified the rear to adapt to the multi-link rear suspension. The torsionally rigid rear frame can strongly support suspension impacts during vehicle acceleration, braking and turning. Additionally, the rear suspension and mounting points for the rear suspension components have been reinforced. The strength of the frame connection structure is improved. In addition to the laser spiral welding LSW process and structural adhesive, the short pitch welding process is also applied.
Model history:
The first-generation RX sold more than 370,000 units between 1998 and 2003
The second-generation Lexus RX was released in 2003, adding a hybrid system for the first time,
The third-generation Lexus RX was released in 2008, priced at 792,000-858,000 yuan .
The fourth-generation model released in 2015
As a medium and large SUV product under Lexus, the first-generation Lexus RX model was released in December 1997. As of today, it has developed into the fifth-generation model. Judging from the insurance volume data of imported vehicles in 2021, the domestic sales of the fourth-generation Lexus RX last year reached 48,600 units, which was slightly lower than the 50,000 imported BMW X5 units. Even in its "twilight years", it shows a strong In terms of competitive strength, the performance of the fifth-generation model is believed to be equally worth looking forward to.
is written at the end:
Lexus RX was launched in the 1990s and has a history of more than 20 years. It has accumulated many fans and users in the Chinese market. It is not difficult to see from the fourth-generation model that even without the support of factors such as domestic production and price reduction, RX is still performing tenaciously in the Chinese market during the epidemic. The brand potential accumulated by Lexus over the years plays a role that cannot be ignored amid the objective factors of consumption downgrade. , and the new-generation RX, which has been updated internally and externally, will also take over smoothly, and will continue to exert force as the auto market gradually recovers.
