Lexus RX Spy Video From Nurburgring

by Clinton Deacon
September 2, 2008 4:00 PM
Filed Under: Lexus, Spy Photos

Lexus are entering their final preparations for the next generation of its RX SUV before the model is launched in the summer of 2009. As can be seen in this new video of the model caught at the Nurburgring in Germany, styling modifications will be kept to a minimum with engineers focusing their attention beneath the posterior.

Poor sales of the petrol only Lexus SUV has led the automaker to drop these models from the line up in markets with seriously high fuel prices, leaving only hybrid versions available. Markets where the fuel prices are relatively cheaper such as the U.S will continue to receive the non-hybrid model.

The new generation will also benefit from a third row of seats to give it parity with rivals such as the BMW X5 and also marks the first time Lexus have offered a seven seat RX SUV.

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Comments

Grotesque.

by Penner | September 2, 2008 4:29 PM
WTF is that supra doing?

by marsman | September 2, 2008 5:00 PM
It's pulling the RX with a (hard to see) wire, so it looks fast going around the ring... :)

Think I would prefer an X5 or X6...

by car_nut | September 2, 2008 7:58 PM
HAHA a Lexus SUV at the 'Ring. What a joke.

by carbonsigma | September 2, 2008 5:12 PM
...not to mention ZERO off road ability!

by car_nut | September 2, 2008 8:03 PM
One word: Diesel. It would boost European sales as it would be cheaper than the overpriced hybrid, there must be a suitable engine here like a 2.2 D4D from a RAV4?

by wills2007 | September 2, 2008 5:23 PM
The Toyota 2.2litre D4D is currently available in 2 guises. The 148 hp and the 175 hp. The latter is known as the T180. I’ve experienced the T180 diesel in the RAV4 and Avensis.

The T180 is very noisy, agricultural and not really suited for a Lexus-branded luxury vehicle.

Toyota also fit this engine in the IS220d. In a What Car group road test with Audi, BMW and Mercedes, the T180 was the slowest, the noisiest, the thirstiest and the dirtiest. Not surprisingly the IS220d came last.

The 148 hp diesel may not be powerful enough.

by car_nut | September 2, 2008 8:18 PM
i LIKE the current RX so i hope lexus dont go and stuff this one up

by BabyMilo | September 2, 2008 11:26 PM
finally, moms can race to schools.

by monsterbear | September 4, 2008 12:26 AM

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