Swapping a 2.4T engine? Lexus RX test car spy photos overseas exposure!

When it comes to executive-grade luxury SUVs, you're sure to think of the Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 and Audi Q7 troika. These three products are quite good in terms of sales volume and reputation in the market.

However, the top spot in the sales list of imported SUVs has long been occupied by another SUV model. It's the Lexus RX. In February, the Lexus RX sold 3,238 units in the Chinese mainland market, surpassing the BMW X5's 2,072 units and the Mercedes-Benz GLE's 2,329 units.

Although the BMW X5 is preparing for the domestic extended version of the market, the sales volume is a little impact. But considering that the life cycle of this generation of Lexus RX has been as long as 7 years and is about to be replaced, this sales performance is still remarkable.

However, "responding to changes with no change" is becoming more and more ineffective in today's rapidly changing automobile market, and bmw X5 has ushered in an extended and domestically produced, not to mention the increasing advantages of its own brand new energy SUVs in terms of intelligence. The rex RX, which has strong sales, must usher in a replacement.

See the new car in one minute:

1. The body size remains roughly unchanged, and the 7-seat version of the extended model continues to be provided, and the design language is slightly upgraded

2. Using the TNGA-K platform to build, the control performance will be improved.

3. The V6 model is cancelled and a 2.4T engine and PHEV model are added.

Recently, overseas media exposed the test car spy photos of the new generation of Lexus RX. Although the test car is full of camouflage, through some details, it is still possible to figure out the general outline of the new generation of RX.

First of all, the silhouette of the vehicle has not changed much compared to the current RX, and it will still be a sneaky design, which is more sporty and youthful than the more orthodox SUVs of the X5 and GLE.

The front compartment of the new car is greatly extended forward, the front overhang length is very long, the overall is lower and more dynamic than the current RX, the front face is still Lexus's iconic spindle-shaped grille, but compared to the current model, the rear fold design is cancelled, and the interior of the grille is also upgraded from horizontal stripes to honeycomb nets, and the shape is more domineering and sporty.

The headlights of the new car also maintain the usual design of Lexus: flying arrow-shaped daytime running lights and multi-LED modules, the number of LED modules is still 3 (some sources say it is 4). In addition, from the projection on the window, it can be seen that the new car may be equipped with AR-HUD technology.

Compared to the front of the car, the side changes of the new car are not so large. The waistline outlines the position of the door handle, and the streamline from the lower beam outlines the lower edge and rear arch, while the suspension roof design is most likely to be retained. Overall, the side of the new generation RX is not the kind of design with a sense of power, it is still so restrained, so flowing, and it looks very comfortable.

The rear of the new car has kept up with other lexus models, using the design of the tail letter mark + through taillights. Such a design can be seen from Lexus' new electric vehicle RZ, but unlike the RZ, the taillights are fuller at both ends, and more LED light groups are stuffed, making them less monotonous.

Since the body is still covered with heavy camouflage, these are the details that can be observed on the exterior. But compared to the cosmetic changes, the upgrade of the new generation of RX on the kernel is more radical than ever.

Previous models code-named RX350 were equipped with a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine code-named 2GR, but in response to the upgrade of emission standards, this engine will be replaced by a 2.4-liter turbo engine code-named T24A-FTS. On the new generation of NX, the engine can burst out of the maximum power of 275PS, and with the Direct-Shift 8-speed automatic transmission, the zero-hundred acceleration score only takes 6.8s.

However, in view of the emission standards of the T24A engine and the poor NVH performance, in the pure fuel model, Lexus will most likely provide the Chinese market with the RX250 model equipped with the A25B-FKS 2.5L naturally aspirated engine, both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models can be selected.

The hybrid model of the new generation RX also eliminated the RX450h equipped with the V6 engine, and instead used the A25B-FXS 2.5L Atkinson engine + THS II RX350h as the mid-to-high-end model in the product line, and also had a two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive option. The flagship model with the highest power specifications is replaced by the RX500h+ equipped with a plug-in hybrid system. The RX500h+ is equipped with three motors and provides a high-power E-Four-wheel drive system that compresses zero-hundred-speed performance to less than 6 seconds.

There are also claims that the RX450h will be replaced by the RX500h equipped with the T24A engine and the THS, and there is no other news about this powertrain.

As for the platform has also been upgraded to the latest TNGA-K platform, this medium and large front-drive platform can be said to be the most widely used platform in the Toyota Group, from the Camry and Rongfang to the Highlander and Xena, all from this platform. Then the new generation of RX, which has been blessed by the TNGA-K platform, is expected to make great progress in controllability.

The biggest competitor of the new generation of RX is of course the newly listed BMW Brilliance X5 L, and the space inside the car after the extension is quite stretched, but the interior texture is a step back compared to the imported BMW X5.

Of course, the greater threat comes from the new domestic car-making forces - Weilai ES7 has been on the string, will be ahead of the new generation of RX debut, the impact from domestic products will be more intense than ever.

For a long time, the Lexus RX has earned word of mouth with all-imported models, more reliable quality and more meticulous service. At the same time, the excellent fuel economy of the THS system has also made Lexus famous. But on RX, to choose a hybrid model can only choose the most flagship RX450h, many RX customers can not enjoy the dividends brought by THS, and the fuel economy of RX450h does not reach the extreme level of other THS models.

This redesign will provide a more people-friendly and fuel-efficient THS hybrid system, which will be the killer of the new generation of RX against competitors such as BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Compared to the hybrid system of the German opponents, the THS power output is more silky and more fuel-efficient. In addition, there are plug-in hybrid models that can be green cards, which can better adapt to the environment of large cities.

So I'm not at all worried that Lexus won't be able to deliver the perfect answer. Because, there is a unique oriental aesthetic.