2010 Lexus RX350

Опубликовано 8 февраля 2009, 17:27

The 2010 Lexus RX350 at the 2009 News and Record International Auto Show.

On January 11, 2009, the redesigned third generation RX premiered at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, featuring hybrid and standard models. The latest hybrid version of the RX, now renamed the RX 450h, and the standard model, which retained the RX 350 designation, were introduced as 2010 model year vehicles.[5] A concept vehicle which hinted at the design direction of the next generation RX, the LF-Xh, was shown at international auto shows a year prior.[21] It has also been announced that when the sales for the new RX begin, the Japanese market Toyota Harrier would be discontinued.
The 2010 RX 350 features an upgraded 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 engine which produces 275 hp (205 kW),[22][23]The RX 350 utilizes a six-speed automatic transmission with sequential shift,[23] and both models are offered in either front or all wheel drive.[22] Fuel economy is improved at 18/25 city/highway for the FWD RX 350 and 18/24 for the AWD RX 350.[24]
The double-wishbone rear suspension setup replaces the previous MacPherson strut design for improved handling and greater cargo space, an optional Sports Package adds a performance-tuned suspension configuration.[22] Exterior dimensions are increased, and cargo room is increased by five percent.[22] The drag coefficient on the latest RX is now Cd 0.32.[22]
For the interior, the RX 350 and RX 450h no longer features a touchscreen, instead adding a Remote Touch controller system similar to a joystick or mouse. This controller system operates an on-screen cursor on the hard disk drive (HDD)-based navigation system screen, which uses organic LED technology.[25][26] An optional heads-up display (HUD) system uses high-intensity LEDs and can be read in direct sunlight.[25] The third generation RX also adds VoiceBox Technologies conversational speech voice recognition system, the first of its kind in the U.S.,[27] which can recognize general speech commands. XM Satellite Radio with real-time NavTraffic and weather updates is offered, along with the options of a Mark Levinson Surround Sound system and a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system.[22]

The third generation Lexus RX at the LA Auto Show.
Safety features include Active Front Headrests, Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) stability/control systems, Hill Assist Control, Traction Control, and the available Lexus Pre-Collision System.[22] New side-mounted cameras for added driver visibility are an option.[22] When activated, these cameras display blind spot and side angle views on the navigation screen. The power-operated tailgate remains standard, with the aft windshield wiper moved to a concealed location, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is an option.[28]
The third generation Lexus RX 350 will make its U.S. sales debut in February 2009, with the RX 450h following several months later.[22] Prices were expected to increase approximately five percent over the previous model.[28] Sales debuts for Europe (RX 450h), Japan (RX 350 and RX 450h), Australia (RX 350 and RX 450h),[28] and other countries are expected in 2009.
[edit]RX 450h
See also Lexus RX Hybrid

The Lexus RX 450h.
The Lexus RX 450h's 2GR-FE V6 engine now runs on the Atkinson cycle producing 245hp, and incorporates a more powerful inverter for added horsepower bringing the total to 295hp.[22] This design also helps improves fuel economy in the RX 450h which now returns 28/27 city/highway in FWD trim and 28/26 in the AWD version.
Two additional systems are added to the RX 450h's Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, an exhaust-heat recovery system to reduce engine warm-up periods (optimizing engine start-stop times), and a cooled exhaust gas-recirculation system to reduce fuel pumping loss.[23] Fuel efficiency, according to manufacturer data, is increased by eight percent over the previous RX 400h.[22] To visually differentiate the hybrid RX model, the RX 450h receives a unique grille with modified front fascia, blue-tined headlamps and tail lamps,[29] optional LED headlights, hybrid badging, and different wheels.[22][24]