Insider Reveals 2009 Lexus RX Details (Including the RX-F?!)
James Fabin, Senior Product Manager for MyRide.com, has dropped some major news regarding the 2009 RX on his blog. Here’s the specifics:
- The 2009 RX will be offered in two versions, a five-passenger model similar to the current model, and a new seven-passenger long wheelbase model.
- A six-speed transmission will be standard.
- The RX 350’s engine will be boosted to bring it somewhere around 300hp for the 2009 model.
- The interior of the 2009 RX will be all new, including a 9″ LCD display that will be navigated by a touchpad located between the front seats.
- There will be an RX-F, with 380hp and available only in the five-passenger version.
It all seems very plausible, with the exception of the last point. A RX-F is hardly out of the question, but it’s not a model I see appealing to the enthusiast crowd, who will no doubt make up the majority of F-Series buyers. Of course, stranger things have been known to happen. Fabin also claims that a GS-F is on the way, and that Lexus will be releasing nine new vehicles in the very new future.
Interesting news, to say the least, though how accurate it is remains to be seen. Given his credentials, though, I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.
(Thanks Dan!)
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I surely hope Lexus will prove us all wrong and bring on the RX-F. While I’m sure it will not be a Dodge Viper, the current RX3xx car line needs a serious dose of adrenaline. The RX vehicles are great for quiet, controlled ride and quality, but the sportiness rating is somewhere in the negative range. Call me old fashioned, but even the tires and wheels on the RX350 are basic and unappealing. C’mon, it’s almost a $50K vehicle folks—can’t Lexus electroplate the rims??!
Just a note….all these features are for the 2010 RX available in Spring of 2009. The 2009 will is the same as the 2008, only with new colours and a Pebble Beach Edition. The 2009 is due to be released Feb 1, 2008.
Steve
That’s absolutely correct, Steve. At the time of this posting, it was thought to be the 2009 model, but that’s since been refuted.
I put a deposit on a 2008 Rx 350. My lease is over 2/25 and I am counting on the 2009 being the same because the model has not changed and the price is better. Please advise
Hello Gail,
All indications point to the 2009 RX being the same as the 2008 model. The 2010 RX is expected to be redesigned, but that’s just speculation.
Do you know when the 2010 New RX will be arriving in showrooms. It’s gorgeous!
Hi there Patti,
The RX usually comes out early in the year, so I would guess that the 2010 redesign should follow suit, in the first couple months of 2009.
well this new RX looks like a definitely improvement over the current model. Certainly looks a lot sportier and actually i think looks better. The current RX is nice but it looks boring. This is what they should have built in the first place!
I’ll agree with you Mark, the RX is definitely starting to show its age.
The all new Rx350 2010 will be in showrooms sping 09. I work for Lexus and we were given this information a few weeks ago. We are bing told the RX will ever be a 7 seater vehicle due to safetly concerns for the rear seat passengers. There will be a new SUV crossover introduced based on the GS platform that will fit that spot.
Sorry for the spelling I was in a hurry
Cool news, is this the ‘JX’ 7-seater SUV then? I do wonder though, would it be too many for Lexus to have 4 SUVs? Or would the 7-seater crossover take over the GX spot?
I am assuming of course (just going on word of mouth) but the 7 seat crossover would be in addition to the current line. Lexus has taken strides to add several vehicles over the next couple of years. With the expansion of the IS line, more SUV’s or crossovers, and I would guess more fuel sipping and eco friendly vehicles plus the LF-A in the super sports car line. Then you have the F line being added it is a very interesting time to be at Lexus. There were several years here with little in the way of change but there seems to be a new wind blowing.
That’s certainly interesting that the RX will never be a 7-seater, and it definitely opens up the lineup for another model.
Thanks for all the info, Scott!
I am from Kingdom of bahrain, and I am looking for a seven seats Lexus RX.
Please send me all the informations about it and interior pictures, and when it is coming.
Hello Hala,
As far as I know, the next generation RX will remain a five-seater, but there’s a rumor of a new model that will seat seven. Here’s the link.
I work in the lexus plant and have seen the pilot cars being run through a test-production run on the assembly line through the past couple of weeks….and I can tell you 100% that the new model does NOT look like the pic shown above. I dont know specifics about the engine etc, but i know i havent seen any 7 seat cars run through the line. It also has a new feature of a ‘mouse’ with the main console gps/stereo system, which I find to be very cumbersome and think it will be really dangerous for someone to use while driving.
Exterior wise, the front end looks very similar to the current model, though the side and rear have a different look. the head and taillights are also slimmer, more like a camry. There are a couple new colors that will be introduced, though just the standard colors have been run through the line so far. There is also an improved sound system with a very large subwoofer inlcuded in the standard package.
Wow that is great information. I thought it was going to be a more extensive redesign but I guess it will be similar to the highlander updated to use the new platform. Any engines changes to the 3.5 or is it just going to be a carryover
Thanks for posting this information, would you say these spy shots that leaked out give an accurate representation of the final shape?
I was privy to the latest info on the RX350 and can confirm and deny a couple of items listed in the above article.
No 7 passenger is in the works. Yes, it will have a mouse-like controller for the Nav. unit. But, it will respond to more voice commands than it’s predesessor. The Nav screen is rumored to be a 9” unit. No engine specs were immediately available. 18” wheels will be standard with a 19” option. Backup cameras will be standard on all models with or without nav. units. XM traffic will be available on Nav equipped models. Release is slated for Feb. but, will be previewed at the L.A. Autoshow in the later part of Nov. In closing we were told that it (2010 RX350)will showcase alot of new technology that will be a focus point for all future upgrades for current models. The pictures we were shown were similar to what is shown in this article, but nothing like the RX-F. It looked really good, but still carries the classic RX lines.
MY CAR IS BROKEN SHOULD I WAIT FOR 2010 RX350 OR JUST GO AND BUY 2009RX35?
@ali: I would wait, the new RX should be in dealerships some time in February.
We just found out that the standard build in the Southwest region is going up from 41k to 44k. They will have smart key, heated in vented seats, standard blue tooth, Idrive (easy to use), 6speed trans, a little more horse power, 19” wheels, Etc.