Throwback: Lexus previews groundbreaking RX with SLV concept in Windy City

[Tragic Bronson]

Jim Press, senior vice president and general manager of Toyota's Lexus Division, introduces the new Lexus SLV crossover concept on the second day of media previews for the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6, 1997. The SLV previewed the Lexus RX 300. Photo credit: REUTERS

Lexus introduces the SLV sport luxury concept vehicle, a preview of the RX crossover, to the automotive media at the Chicago Auto Show on Feb. 6, 1997.

A month later, Lexus said the production version of the groundbreaking midsize luxury crossover would be called the RX 300, with output scheduled to begin in the first half of 1998.

It proved to be "the first strike in an onslaught of car-based luxury sport wagons" across the industry, Automotive News said in January 2003, when the second-generation RX was unwrapped at the Detroit auto show.

Denny Clements, general manager of Lexus, introduces the RX 400h hybrid on Jan. 6, 2004, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Photo credit: REUTERS

Planning for the RX began in 1993, and in December 1995, the final design steered by designer Makoto Oshima was approved for production. Toyota began testing prototypes in 1996.

The groundbreaking crossover, engineered on a unibody chassis, combined the styling and functionality of luxury sedans and 4x4's: Off-road ground clearance and available full-time four-wheel-drive, and a step-in height that was lower than other utility vehicles, providing more convenient entry and exit. It was equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine.

Photo credit: REUTERS

The all-new 1999 RX 300 went on sale in March 1998 and helped Lexus rack up of U.S. sales of 156,260, an increase of 60 percent, that year.

In April 2000, Lexus said production of the RX 300 would be added in North America (Cambridge, Ontario) -- making it the first Lexus assembled outside of Japan.

U.S. sales of the RX averaged about 70,000 units a year initially even though Lexus placed a modest target of 25,000 units annually when it was launched. Instead, it quickly became Lexus' volume leader. U.S. sales of the RX in the 2000s have routinely topped 100,000 a year.

In December, Lexus began selling a stretched RX that adds a third-row seat.

http://www.autonews.com/article/201...undbreaking-rx-with-slv-concept-in-windy-city

 

[Ian Schmidt]

Wow, I've never actually seen the SLV concept before. It's a bit boxier than the real RX, and those rims are just hilariously awful for the car. They belong on a '64 Impala with hydraulics and purple leopard fur seats.

 

[mikeavelli]

Wow I remember that previewed in the mags and boom it arrived without the rear wing on the concept and more traditional 16" 5 spoke wheels. I bought my mom one as a surprise and she loved it. It was a work horse and drove like a raised ES which was unheard of at the time when truck based SUV's were coming along a bit and dominated (Ford Explorer, Grand Cherokee, ML was new...).. It also wasn't the most capable vehicle in regards to speed and handling and funny but back then the size was good but today it would be a cute ute....

The RX will never be loved by enthusiasts but there is no denying it is one of the most impactful vehicles ever made. Today every company has followed the RX in some way shape or form.