As previously reported, the new RX will be longer, wider, taller and heavier than its predecessor. Interestingly, weight is expected to rise by a significant 640lbs, bringing the SUV’s total kerb weight to a substantial 4,510lbs. These larger dimensions, however, are likely to pave way for a seven-seat capacity, reports The Car Connection.
In North America, the base RX will feature a 3.5L V6 with power bumped up to 280hp (209kW) over the current RX350’s 275hp (205kW) output. Torque will also be bumped up by 6lb-ft (8Nm). Other upgrades include the addition of a new six-speed automatic in place of the current model’s five-speed, as well as Lexus’ Super Electronically Controlled gearshift program and hill-start assist.
The RX400h hybrid model will return, arriving one year after the release of the standard petrol model, and should feature an uprated V6 hybrid drive system with close to 400hp (298kW) on tap. A new petrol V8 model could also be offered for the first time.
Production of the new RX range will start at the end of year with first sales expected in the first quarter of 2009.
Reader Comments
Mon Jun 23 2008 8:37 AM
Stugots says
Yawn. It's as boring as a KIA Rondo.
Mon Jun 23 2008 8:56 AM
chris says
woah. now THAT's a low blow. At least this thing is a soft-roader with 400 hp... the rondo is a mini-mpv with much less power... although I will admit, the rondo would turn more heads.... which is the scary part.
Mon Jun 23 2008 10:10 AM
Danny says
After all these years, still looking like an upside-down bathtub.
Mon Jun 23 2008 10:49 AM
craigs says
I think it looks a lot like the Toyota Highlander. Similar headlights and light facia and the same with the tail lights. Makes sense as it could save them some development costs by sharing components.
Mon Jun 23 2008 1:30 PM
LJS says
Yaawn. Looks too much like the current one. Is it still going to be built on the same platform as the Sienna?
400hp in something like this will be a handful methinks.
I'll take an FX50 instead.
Mon Jun 23 2008 3:46 PM
JOnes says
I think i have seen 2 or 3 guys actually drive this. strictly soccer mom vehicle
Mon Jun 23 2008 6:43 PM
HECTOR says
I think this is a very attractive SUV and undoubtedly good quaility. But I simply wish all of them would disappear from the roads due to the incredibly bright, blinding and distracting DRLs (and I wish the sadist who put them on would get eye and rectal cancer).
Toyota is slowly returning to common sense and taking these dangerous DRLs off the road. Not quite fast enough for my taste but I hope against hope that this new incarnation of the RX - as the pics seem to suggest - will be DRL free.
Tue Jun 24 2008 5:28 PM
NaBUru38 says
It looks way better than most Japanese mid-size off-roaders. I really like that rear end. But it deserves the 170hp 2.2-liter diesel and a turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine too.
"400hp in something like this will be a handful methinks." And you say an X5 4.8i won't?
With that sloping rear screen, a sixth and seventh passenger would have to bow a lot - I guess the new RX won't get the additional seats.
Tue Jun 24 2008 9:00 PM
Wizards Lore says
it is the Highlander / Kluger underneath.
I own the previous model Kluger / Highlander and the components are all identical to the RX300. The only difference being the body shell and the interior. all for about $40,000 less...plus i get an extra row of seats
Sun Jul 6 2008 7:13 PM
NEal k says
haha Wizard is dumb as hell what r u talking about this is a luxury car not a Kia boss the components are incredibly better in the lexus enjoy the highlander
Thu Jul 10 2008 2:03 AM
amac says
Another SUV. Whoop-dee-doo. I guess the champagne soccer moms will be excited.
Wed Jul 16 2008 3:08 AM
aigars says
Its silhouette is basicaly Ford Focus with different headligts and tailligts. Same thing was with previous gen RX and previous gen Focus. Is it there some agreement between Ford and Toyota to share design?
Wed Jul 23 2008 7:35 AM
david johnson says
Hello,
I wish to buy this property if its avillable. let me kwon ontime so i will make move on it.
Thanks
Wed Jul 23 2008 7:45 PM
ver says
true does look like highlander except smaller
Wed Oct 29 2008 8:45 AM
Ivan says
Same old engine but extra 650Lbs?
I drove 350 several times and it reminds me minivan, I just hate the thing and with additional weight it will turn into even worse ride.
Wed Oct 29 2008 2:41 PM
NoNameDenton says
You ever notice all these crossovers have similar shapes
Fri Nov 7 2008 5:39 AM
danDAN says
I don't get the extra weight. Why would they want to put in the 7 seats option when they are going to try and sell it on the back of the 400h as the cleaner hybrid 4x4 so it has a good image. Even though most of them aren't hybrids people still associate them with the 400h anyway.
So, you make it weigh more which will undouabtadlly have an effect on fuel economy making it worse. Yet it will still be the "green 4x4". It's oxymorinc and devoluntionary. They should focus on losing weight and making the hyrbid more efficient not doing it the otherway round.
Sat Nov 8 2008 5:34 PM
fog says
When I saw the pictures my first thought was this is the new Toyota Venza dressed up in a Lexus skin.
Sun Nov 9 2008 3:02 PM
azlan says
all toyota's eventually get dressed up in a lexus skin, its soooooo boring...
ive never been a fan of lexus, every time i want a luxury car i skim right past lexus,they will never beat the germand, italians or the brits
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