Al-Futtaim Lexus Launches a Reinvented Icon – The All-New RX Luxury Crossover
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Al-Futtaim Lexus is bringing unparalleled levels of elegance and refinement to the high-end crossover market in the Middle East with the launch of the all-new RX. The fifth-generation RX has been completely reimagined to deliver greater style, comfort, and performance than ever before and comes with a choice of three powertrains, two of which are electrified to contribute to the realization of a carbon-neutral society.
First launched in 1998, the Lexus RX has created the blueprint for luxury crossover utility vehicles and set the tone in the segment ever since. The 1998 Lexus RX 300 was the world’s first luxury crossover, while the 2006 Lexus RX 400h was the world’s first hybrid electric luxury crossover. The choice of two electrified powertrains[1] comes as part of the ‘Lexus Electrified’ vision announced in 2019, which aims to achieve significant performance improvements through electrification technologies. The company is on track to achieve a full lineup of electrified vehicles in all categories by 2030 and aims to sell 100% BEVs globally by 2035.
Commenting on the launch of the all-new RX, Jacques Brent, Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Lexus, said: “In the 24 years since the first-generation RX was born as a luxury crossover, it has become a huge success story for our customers in the United Arab Emirates. Now in its fifth generation, the platforms and technologies of the RX have been revolutionized to bring the ‘Lexus Driving Signature’ to even more customers as a core model. The car’s fundamentals have been thoroughly enhanced across all models, while the RX500h F SPORT PERFORMANCE pushes the frontier even further with an electrified all-wheel drive system. Created without compromise, the all-new Lexus RX will become a companion that enriches your life, and we are extremely excited to share it with our customers in the Emirates.”
All fifth-generation RX models deliver the Lexus Driving Signature in their own way, thanks to the outstanding credentials of the platform and the powertrains. Each combines superior comfort with a new level of responsiveness, ensuring the driver is in control at all times and resulting in an immediate feeling of confidence. The all-new RX platform has allowed for a 90 kg drop in the vehicle’s weight and a 10 mm reduction in its overall height, resulting in a 15 mm lower center of gravity. In addition, the wheelbase is extended by 60 mm, while a wider track combines with 21” wheels to give the 2023 RX a confident stance and stronger grip.
The all-new Lexus RX is built on Lexus’ Global Architecture K (GA-K) platform and delivers excellent body rigidity and a low center of gravity, guaranteeing a more rewarding driving experience. The vehicle features new MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a new multi-link suspension system at the rear, contributing to outstanding stability and handling to create exceptional ride comfort.
Complementing the all-new RX’s distinctive design is a thrilling drive personality imbued by three powertrain options. A newly developed inline 4-cylinder, 2.4-liter turbocharged engine that produces 275 hp and 430 nm of torque is mated to a new 8-speed Direct-Shift automatic transmission (8AT). Meanwhile, the new hybrid-electric system combines a 2.5-liter petrol engine and electric motor to produce a total of 246 hp, which is mated to an electronically-controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT) to provide a fuel consumption value of 20.7 km/L. A hybrid-electric system pairing a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with an electric motor is also available, which provides a combined power of 366 hp mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission that offers fuel consumption of 15.5 km/L while delivering a new level of driving pleasure.
Lexus has further developed its new ‘Next Chapter’ design language to create a vehicle that is instantly recognizable as an RX, but with a more dynamic, elegant, and confident character. A sleeker silhouette has been developed by extending the bonnet, lengthening the wheelbase by 60 mm, and lowering the roofline by 10 mm to create a coupé-like feel. The triple LED headlights are sleeker, sharper, and more horizontal, and the body and spindle grilles merge at their boundaries to create a seamless expression symbolized by the sense of a solid mass, striving toward a new identity and originality. The wider track (50 mm) gives a bolder stance and road presence, and the introduction of a new Lexus badge on the tailgate adds to the vehicle’s clean and contemporary look, while single-line Lexus signature taillights at the rear underline the vehicle’s iconic shape.
The all-new RX interior features Lexus’ Tazuna concept for the driver’s cockpit, an approach initially revealed in the Lexus LF-30 electrified concept car. Taking its name from a Japanese word describing a rider’s use of the reins to control a horse, Tazuna focuses on delivering direct, intuitive control of the vehicle by following the principle of ‘hands on the wheel, eyes on the road.’ It also raises the quality of the driving experience by making the driver feel confident and in command of their vehicle and surroundings.
The 2023 RX’s spacious interior offers ample luggage space and five newly designed luxury seats with excellent legroom, including an 8-way adjustable powered driver seat. Thanks to an intelligent tailgate design, the luggage compartment is now 50 mm longer and can accommodate bulkier objects, while the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats enable long items such as surfboards to be easily transported. For added convenience, the 2023 Lexus RX comes with a hands-free, electrically powered back door that can be activated by a foot-operated system when the user’s hands or arms are full.
Drivers can also create an oasis with nature-inspired Thematic Ambient Illumination, an optional feature that bathes the RX interior in a choice of 14 themes. Each has been carefully designed to express a full range of emotions and evoke a feeling of comfort, with themes including Rain Forest, Waterfall, and Sunset, and 64 different ambient lighting colors to choose from. Additional features include SmartAccess with a push-button start, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson Clari-Fi 2.0 sound system, and a panoramic roof with movable outer sliding glass for the front section.
The vehicle’s inviting interior provides drivers and passengers with a host of advanced features for a refined cabin experience. These include a new 14-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ compatibility, a 7-inch color multi-information display (MID), a color head-up display (HUD), a wireless charging system for smartphones, six USB chargers, and one 12 Volt charger. In addition, the 2023 RX offers the Lexus Climate Concierge system with Triple Zone Independent Temperature Controls, which includes rear vents and control panels for the back seats to ensure the cabin temperature is perfectly adjusted for each occupant. The system uses S-Flow control to recognize which seats are occupied and directs cooling performance based on the setting selected, cabin temperature, outside temperature, and the effect of sunlight coming through the windows.
The fifth generation Lexus RX is also the latest model in the range to feature Lexus Connect. Lexus Connect Service lets owners enjoy many features in their vehicle remotely from the comfort of their home or on the go with a few simple taps on the smartphone app. It supports your vehicle life with comfortable and convenient services such as controlling your vehicle remotely, as well as services that give you peace of mind such as notifying you when the unexpected occurs to your vehicle, reminders on maintenance schedules and more.
As with any Lexus vehicle, safety is a top priority for the all-new RX. Drivers can enjoy complete peace of mind, thanks to the Lexus Safety System+, an advanced safety and driver assistance system that includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with an expanded detection range for vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcycles, together with new features such as Emergency Steering Assist, Acceleration Suppression at Low Speed, and Intersection Collision Avoidance Assistance.
The system also includes all-speed range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) with two new features; Turn Signal Control (TSC) makes highway overtaking safer and smoother by providing an initial increase in acceleration when the driver has engaged the turn signal, while Curve Speed Reduction (RSR) suppresses the vehicle’s speed when entering a bend and offers additional acceleration upon exiting the bend. Drivers also benefit from Lane Tracing Alert (LTA), Lane Departure Alert (LDA), and Adaptive High-beam System (AHS).
In another world-first, the new Safe Exit Assist (SEA) feature uses an e-latch system combined with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) to help prevent accidents. The system detects traffic or cyclists approaching from the rear and automatically cancels door opening if an occupant tries to open the door to avoid a collision. The 2023 RX also includes comprehensive safety features designed to protect its occupants, including seven SRS airbags, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Parking Assist Monitor (PAM), Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA), Active Cornering Assist (ACA), Drive-Start Control (DSC), Panoramic View Monitor (PVM), and Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), among many others.
Further adding to its stylish visual appeal, the 2023 Lexus RX comes in a refined range of colors that allow discerning owners to customize their vehicles according to their tastes. Customers can choose from nine distinctive exterior colors, including the newly developed Sonic Copper. Meanwhile, the interior comes in a choice of four elegant colors, including the newly developed DK. Sepia, a newly available Hazel option, Black and Fromage. Four wheel designs have also been introduced to further express the driving feel pursued by the Lexus brand, including dark gray metallic and bright machined finish 19-inch aluminum wheels and a choice of three different 21-inch options.
For those seeking to experience the ultimate in thrilling responsiveness, Lexus is proud to introduce its first-ever turbo hybrid electric vehicle. The RX 500h F SPORT Performance’s new hybrid electric system comes with a front unit that integrates a high-torque 2.4-liter turbo engine, six-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor. An eAxle rear unit allows the electric motor to provide low-end torque for improved performance and quick acceleration. In addition, the turbocharged engine produces high torque across the entire rev range for powerful acceleration, even at higher speeds. The RX 500h F SPORT Performance also features the new DIRECT4 all-wheel drive force system, which effectively maximizes front and rear wheel grip to deliver an invigorating and torque-filled driving experience.
The RX 500h F SPORT Performance model boasts exclusive interior and exterior features, including a distinctive ‘F’ mesh-pattern grille, a new front bumper design, black roof rails, and exclusive 21-inch aluminum wheels. The cabin comes with Dark Spin Aluminum ornamentation, a unique meter, bolstered sports seats, a steering wheel with paddle shifters, and aluminum pedals and scuff plates. Owners can choose from a range of six exterior colors that emphasize the vehicle’s sportiness, including Heat Blue CL and White Nova GF, which are both exclusive to the RX 500h F SPORT Performance model, while the interior is available in Dark Rose and Black color.
[1] Electrified vehicles or electrified powertrains may refer to Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
