Mystery Lexus RX Spotted in Europe

Posted by Kevin on August 25th, 2017

A mystery Lexus RX has been spotted testing in Europe, the rear lights and all badging camouflaged for no apparent reason — from Quattroruote:

Lexus RX Mystery rear

Lexus RX Mystery 2

There’s definitely something odd about this — the RX is easily identified as a hybrid with no exterior differences, but even the window markings have been taped over.

Another curious element is the trailer hitch, suggesting a towing capacity test of some description — this points towards a new drivetrain, and as this is obviously a production model, it would be in the final stages before launch.

Could it be a minor power bump to the RX 450h? Could the RX be getting the 2.5L four-cylinder hybrid from the NX 300h? Is it something completely new? Honestly, these spy shots just crack me up.

Update: LXE member ThePenguin spotted another anomaly — despite the hybrid badges on the rear doors, this RX has visible exhausts. Stranger and stranger.

Lexus RX: Fourth GenerationSpy Shots
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Comments
krew
krew [​IMG]

Badges covered, nothing else.
View the original article post
bogglo
multistage hybrid RX hahaha (just a wild taught)
krew
bogglo
multistage hybrid RX hahaha (just a wild taught)
RX 500!
bogglo
krew
RX 500!
Its possible. I taught about the multistage hybrid because they covered the hybrid logo too. Honestly there is too much going on at Lexus right now that its hard to keep up. first there is an LS running around with no camo but a visible rear spoiler. And now this RX just hiding its badge. what's funny to me is why hide the Lexus badge we all know it's a Lexus.
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • August 25, 2017
It quite possibly is the refreshed RX.

Toyota Motor Corporation, masters at vehicle camouflage, throwing us off as usual :D.
Joaquin Ruhi
Much ado about nothing. I read the Quattroruote original story and, even without running it through Google Translate, it's clear they think it's just hiding elements of the mid-cycle facelift due soon.
ThePenguin
A hybrid with visible exhaust tips? ;)
bogglo
ThePenguin
A hybrid with visible exhaust tips? ;)
I did not even pay attention to that. good catch
krew
Joaquin Ruhi
Much ado about nothing. I read the Quattroruote original story and, even without running it through Google Translate, it's clear they think it's just hiding elements of the mid-cycle facelift due soon.
But what elements? No way a refresh would leave the grille & bumpers alone and just change up the rear tail lights.

It's just weird. And why are there so many people inside? The RX is packed!
krew
ThePenguin
A hybrid with visible exhaust tips? ;)
TOTALLY missed that. Good catch -- I've updated the original post with your insight.
S
bogglo
Its possible. I taught about the multistage hybrid because they covered the hybrid logo too. Honestly there is too much going on at Lexus right now that its hard to keep up. first there is an LS running around with no camo but a visible rear spoiler. And now this RX just hiding its badge. what's funny to me is why hide the Lexus badge we all know it's a Lexus.
Too long won't fit. Too expensive won't sell. No RX500h.
Joaquin Ruhi
krew
But what elements? No way a refresh would leave the grille & bumpers alone and just change up the rear tail lights.
Well, they did cover the Lexus "circle L" badge up front, making it look like a cheap Chinese RX knockoff... ;)

Seriously, that is a valid point. Adding to the weirdness: the tape on the lower trailing edges of the rear doors, presumably covering the HYBRID badges, but obviously non-hybrid exhaust tips.
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • August 25, 2017
Just because it's a production body doesn't mean it's all production underneath ;).

The random camouflage is definitely meant to confuse. Good point krew that it is packed inside. That combined with a trailer hitch, and driving on a windy mountainous-looking road could mean it is a powertrain test. Or it could be a payload or towing test. Or it could be a test of any number of other systems including suspension or A/C.
Michael
I am guessing Lexus could be testing a new hybrid powertrain for the RX or a new power plant for their future Lexus vehicle. They also be testing the hybrid system for the new 3 row RX.
S
CIF
Just because it's a production body doesn't mean it's all production underneath ;).

The random camouflage is definitely meant to confuse. Good point krew that it is packed inside. That combined with a trailer hitch, and driving on a windy mountainous-looking road could mean it is a powertrain test. Or it could be a payload or towing test. Or it could be a test of any number of other systems including suspension or A/C.
Makes good amount of sense. Mountain roads and towing are good tests for hybrid systems under high electric load.
T
It has to be the 3.5 biturbo engine from the recently showed LS500. Finally a lexus SUV with enough power!
T
It has to be the 3.5 biturbo engine from the recently showed LS500. Finally a lexus SUV with enough power! And probably a midlife facelift, which does not change much of the exteriors (IS facelift changed visually only the bumpers and head/rear lights). If it is RX500 and it will be available in Europe, I will buy it immediately!
Joe
  • Joe
    Joe
  • August 26, 2017
Nothing of all this makes sense. Why would they hide a badge and rear light units if they are only testing a new powertrain? If nobody looks in the engine bay, it won't be noticed. However, it is true that the multi stage transmission is told to make its future appearance in more Lexus models...

Just testing the quality of the camouflage tape or just catching the attention of the car spies for fun... :D Who knows...
maiaramdan
Honestly I think from the next generations of the popular models there must be all hybrid either partly as the new A8 or full hybrid as what lexus doing now
OlFius
Joe
Nothing of all this makes sense. Why would they hide a badge and rear light units if they are only testing a new powertrain? If nobody looks in the engine bay, it won't be noticed. However, it is true that the multi stage transmission is told to make its future appearance in more Lexus models...

Just testing the quality of the camouflage tape or just catching the attention of the car spies for fun... :D Who knows...
What a fortune that some camouflage was used, otherwise, this would have completely escaped us.
Well done to the camouflage !
S
I was about to say the V35A-FTS, designed for longitudinal platforms, will not fit in the 4RX because it will be larger than the 2GR. But then I found that the 4RX has such a huge engine bay (for a transverse platform, at least) that Lexus can literally put a 5.0L V8 in it.
Tragic Bronson
Nice base 18" (or is it 19?) wheels :D...I guess they didn't have any 20" F-Sport wheels to destroy.
james_m300
thedude
It has to be the 3.5 biturbo engine from the recently showed LS500. Finally a lexus SUV with enough power! And probably a midlife facelift, which does not change much of the exteriors (IS facelift changed visually only the bumpers and head/rear lights). If it is RX500 and it will be available in Europe, I will buy it immediately!

Pretty sure it is not RX with 2.0 turbo, because RX200t is already sold in Europe, so that is nothing new. And I mean come on - Toyota/Lexus did not develop the 3.5 biturbo in order to sell it only with the new LS. It costed multiple millions to develop such an engine and there is clearly a demand for more powerful powertrain in luxury SUVs. The competition offers way more powerful SUVs already.
that's actually a really good point, if it's going to make its way into all the 350 lexus models, maybe it's testing for the next gen RX350 or for the facelifted model, which is good because it can make adequate power for its segment which will probably steal even more german buyers to the RX, especially the f sport model
S
You guys can keep dreaming about the 3.5 twin in a RX but it's not going to happen unless RX can get a F. The V35A is a performance engine not a workhorse as I've repeated again and again that 3.5L is a very awkward displacement in China (a major market). A 3.0TT will still be more likely for all mainstream six cylinder applications. I even think TMC will just go lazy and turbocharge the 2.5 I4 and call it a day, maybe hybrid-only as well.
mikeavelli
ssun30
You guys can keep dreaming about the 3.5 twin in a RX but it's not going to happen unless RX can get a F. The V35A is a performance engine not a workhorse as I've repeated again and again that 3.5L is a very awkward displacement in China (a major market). A 3.0TT will still be more likely for all mainstream six cylinder applications. I even think TMC will just go lazy and turbocharge the 2.5 I4 and call it a day, maybe hybrid-only as well.



A more powerful RX will not steal more german buyers to the RX, nor will it do anywhere else since that's just not what people buy in this segment. What the RX needs is a 300h/350h, because the 450h is very expensive. The 450h still attracts people to the showrooms and they will end up buying the 200t, but an affordable hybrid/PHEV option will definitely help, especially in Europe. With stricter CAFE regulations being introduced in all major markets, powerful gas-only trims are the last thing Lexus want in their mainstream vehicles.
If the 3.0TT was offered in the RX I would insist my wife trades her F-Sport in a heartbeat. The engine is competent today and that is all. An additional 100hp would be amazing in the RX.

One can only wish!
krew
ssun30
You guys can keep dreaming about the 3.5 twin in a RX but it's not going to happen unless RX can get a F. The V35A is a performance engine not a workhorse as I've repeated again and again that 3.5L is a very awkward displacement in China (a major market). A 3.0TT will still be more likely for all mainstream six cylinder applications. I even think TMC will just go lazy and turbocharge the 2.5 I4 and call it a day, maybe hybrid-only as well.
I'm more interested in the RX getting the multi-stage hybrid, but that's still a 3.5L and has limited appeal in some very major markets. Cost has to be a consideration as well.

You know what really needs that 500h? The GS.
S
krew
I'm more interested in the RX getting the multi-stage hybrid, but that's still a 3.5L and has limited appeal in some very major markets. Cost has to be a consideration as well.

You know what really needs that 500h? The GS.
The multi-stage hybrid drivetrain is very, very long so it might be for longitudinal platform only. Their transverse platform doesn't need that amount of power nor the finer gear ratios. The FWD hybrid only needs a switchable reduction gear to reduce cruise rpm for better efficiency/EV range.

It seems that their next workhorse hybrid will be the A25A Dynamic Force in hybrid flavour. The 2018 Camry hybrid uses the efficiency-tuned version that loses 30hp, but with the full power A25A this hybrid drivetrain should be good for 230-240hp. That's enough to give the European competitors a lot of headaches since it will be directly compared to their turbo-4 offerings, but with much better fuel economy (not to mention the fact that hybrid cars usually accelerate faster than gas-only cars with similar power).

What lies between this new "300h" transverse hybrid drivetrain and the "500h" multi-stage longitudinal hybrid drivetrain is what's interesting. You would think Lexus needs a "400h" to bridge the gap, one which will be used by transverse and longitudinal cars (IS400h/ES400h/RX400h/GS400h). But without information on TMC's workhorse Dynamic Force V6 it's really hard to make a guess.

S