The NX 200t comes powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic and drives either the front wheels or all four.
The NX 300h features the same powertrain found in Lexus’s 2015 RC 300h. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine running an Atkinson cycle with an electric motor, and also comes with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Peak output for this model is 194 horsepower.
Underpinning the NX is a modified version of the platform found in the Toyota RAV4, although the Lexus benefits from a comprehensive package of reinforcements. These include additional bulkheads and spot welding, suspension braces, and the use of special body adhesive, laser-screw welding and high-rigidity glass adhesive. This helps to improve rigidity, which in turn improves handling. Opt for the car’s F Sport package and you’ll get performance dampers to further enhance handling.
Tech features on the NX include a wireless charging tray, a touchpad interface, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision safety systems, and additional warning systems for blind spots, cross traffic and lane departure. The NX also comes with Lexus’s first G sensor display. For audio buffs, the NX’s available Mark Levinson sound system comes with 14 speakers and a new technology from Harman called Clari-Fi. This is said to improve the quality of music files that have been digitally compressed.
Sales of the 2015 Lexus NX begin this fall.
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