Lexus recently unveiled the facelifted version of its RX five seater and RXL seven-seater SUV. This update is not only cosmetic but functional as well, in terms of both cabin equipment and driving dynamics.
The heart of the car is a hybrid system, composed of a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that makes 262 hp by itself, and operates in sync with two electric motos making 167 hp, taking the total power output to 313 hp. The transmission is an e-CVT gearbox and all-wheel drive system.
On the exterior, the front and the rear bumper have been restyled along with sleeker tailpipes that sit flush with the bumper contours. There are sharp contours all across the exterior, and the large gaping grille has received subtle redesigning too. The car sits on 18-inch alloy wheels that sit in squared-off arches, again, defined by loud yet graceful geometrical contouring.
The talking point of the update is the RX’s headlights wherein debuts Lexus’s Bladescan technology. The salient feature of this technology is the use of blade mirrors rotating at high speeds to route LED beams into a lens that helps improve forward visibility when needed, without dazzling oncoming traffic. The RX gets two new colour options, namely the MoonBeam Beige metallic and the Nori Green Pearl.
Inside the car, customers have the options of an 8-inch and a 12.3-inch touch enabled infotainment display that has Lexus’ remote touchpad, voice control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. In the RXL, the third row is movable too, allowing for more legroom to the customers. In terms of safety, the car now gets pedestrian collision warning along with traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control.The build quality and handling of the car is also improved, with stiffer anti-roll bars, firmer shock absorbers, and a cornering assist program to prevent understeer when tackling corners.
The RX is expected to take the Indian roads by 2020 despite no official confirmation by Lexus. The RX goes against the likes of the BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne and Jaguar F-Pace in the Indian market.
