New Lexus RX350 has surgical precision
Friday, November 21st, 2008 in Lexus
Lexus’s new RX350 soft-roader has more power, uses less fuel and has one other special touch, says JOSHUA DOWLING.
Motorists will soon be able to switch radio stations or change their air-conditioning settings with the same precision as a surgeon.
Japanese maker Lexus has followed in the footsteps of European luxury brands by introducing a new cabin control toggle in the middle of the console of its new soft-roader.
However, the company claims its system is more intuitive that that of its rivals and more sensitive to the human touch.
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The Lexus Remote Touch system uses Haptic feedback (Greek for sense of touch) to alert the fingertips when the toggle has moved over a clicked position. The same technology is used in remote surgery, where doctors can use their microscopic tools with greater steadiness by controlling them from a nearby bench or via closed circuit television.
It sounds complicated but Lexus is priding itself on how easy it is to use. The toggle is due to be introduced on other new Lexus models in the coming years. I still can’t program my VCR and I can do it, says John Roca, the chief executive of Lexus Australia.
Lexus unveiled the third generation of its luxury soft-roader this week at the 2008 Los Angeles motor show and at a sneak preview in Sydney.
It looks remarkably similar to the current model but every panel is new.
The all-new Lexus RX350 model is due in Australian showrooms in March 2009, while the hybrid version, now called RX450h, is due in the second half of 2009.
There will likely be two model grades of each version and price rises are imminent given the recent 30 per cent drop in value of the Australian dollar to the Japanese Yen. Three months ago $1 was buying about Y104, but this week was buying Y65. Lexus says it is vulnerable to fluctuations in exchanges rates because it has not hedged funds (bought foreign currency in advance) for 12 months because the financial market was too unpredictable.
The price of the current model ranges from $77,631 to $97,545 (although there are significant discounts on these run-out models) but the prices of the new RX models are expected to increase by between 5 and 10 per cent.
Lexus is yet to release final details but it says both the V6 and hybrid V6 models will have more power and yet use less fuel than the models they replace.
The body of the new model is lower and wider, which should help it slip through the air more efficiently at freeway speeds.
The cabin is slightly roomier than before and the cargo area has more space because of a new, more compact rear suspension design that doesn’t intrude into the cargo floor as much as before.
As with the previous Lexus RX350 a space-saver spare tyre is standard but buyers can choose a full size spare as a no-cost option. In this case, the flat cargo floor is replaced by a new cover which has a bulge in the middle.
The power-operated tailgate remains standard, as does a rear-view camera, but high grade models will also get side view cameras as well as radar cruise control, a pre-crash safety system, premium leather, premium sound, a sunroof and larger alloy wheels (19-inch compared with the standard model’s 18-inch). All new RX models will also have a keyless start system.
RX accounts for almost half of all Lexus sales in Australia. Lexus has enjoyed strong growth since 2001 but this year will see its first drop in sales in seven years. Last year the company sold 8200 vehicles but this year it is on track to sell about 6500 to 6800. The company attributes the decline to the change-over between old and new RX models.
via www.drive.com.au