Interview with Lexus NX Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato

Lexus NX chief engineer Takeaki Kato answered fan questions during the Beijing Auto Show — here are some of the highlights from the interview: Q: How will you differentiate NX from RX? Both vehicles have the same innovation and finesse of Lexus. One customer could choose the RX for its elegant, stately, sophisticated shape, just …

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Kevin · May 7th, 2014

Lexus NX: Turbo vs. Hybrid Sales

In a recent Automotive News interview, Lexus International vice president Mark Templin discussed NX sales projections and the expected take-rate between the turbo & hybrid powertrains: Although Lexus gave no official fuel economy estimates for the hybrid, a source said it should get in the 34-36 mpg range in combined city and highway driving. The …

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Kevin · May 5th, 2014

Video: Driving the Lexus NX 300h

Update: Both videos have been removed by request of their owners. When a Lexus NX 300h prototype visited Flow Lexus of Greensboro in North Carolina this week, YouTube channel Saabkyle04 took the opportunity to film this twenty minute video packed with nearly every detail of the Lexus NX 300h: (Video Removed) There’s so much information …

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Kevin · May 3rd, 2014

Video: Q&A with Lexus International Vice President Mark Templin

Here’s an excellent video with Lexus International executive vice-president Mark Templin answering questions about China, the NX, and the future of the brand: Mark Templin’s answers are insightful and full of confidence — in particular, it’s interesting to learn that Lexus wants to grow at a controlled pace in order to preserve their customer experience. …

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Kevin · April 29th, 2014

Video: The Lexus Four-Cylinder Turbo Engine in Detail

Here’s a video overview of the new 2.0L turbo engine installed in the Lexus NX 200t: The NX 200t will be the first model to get the 8AR-FTS 2.0L engine, which is equipped with a twin-scroll turbo and generates 235 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm. The engine can flip between the …

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Kevin · April 27th, 2014

Lexus NX Spotted in Another Parking Lot

A Lexus NX 300h F SPORT has popped up in another parking lot — this time, it’s the Toyota Burniston factory in the United Kingdom: The NX was spotted in a California parking lot last week, marking the first time the compact crossover had been seen outside of the studio — I imagine these two …

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Kevin · April 24th, 2014

Photo Gallery: Lexus NX at the Milan Design Week

The Lexus NX F SPORT made an appearance at the Milan Design Week, here are a mass of photos from the display: The NX in Ultra White is attractive enough, but it will be nice seeing high quality images of the crossover in different colors — I’m hoping for Starlight Black, what colors would you …

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Kevin · April 23rd, 2014

Video: The Lexus NX in Detail

Lexus UK has posted three brief videos of the NX compact crossover: Other than the press conference and the stylized launch commercials, this is the first real video footage of the NX that I’ve seen — this vehicle keeps getting better and better.
Kevin · April 23rd, 2014

Video: The Lexus NX Development Story

There are two new videos detailing the development story of the Lexus NX compact crossover — first, NX chief engineer Takeaki Kato describes the overall concept, new turbo engine, and some of the vehicle’s unique features: In the second video, project managers Nobuyuki Tomatsu and Tetsuo Miki walk through the exterior & interior design from …

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Kevin · April 22nd, 2014

Lexus NX Key Features: A Video Tour

Here’s a video overview of the key features found in the Lexus NX: The level of detail on the NX is impressive — the compact crossover makes a strong statement at the new Lexus design movement, but even more important is the focus on functionality. This is a vehicle that will fit very comfortably into …

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Kevin · April 21st, 2014

Lexus USA Shares NX Sales Projections

Mark Rechtin of the Automotive News recently spoke with Lexus USA general manager Jeff Bracken about NX sales projections: …he expects Lexus to sell about 2,200 NX units a month in the United States. He added, however, that Lexus’ U.S. dealer council has informed him that such an estimate is too conservative. “From a sizing …

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Kevin · April 21st, 2014

Live Photos of the Lexus NX 300h & NX 200t F SPORT

After its debut last night in China, the Lexus NX is now on display at both the Beijing Motor Show and the New York Auto Show — a few photo galleries of the NX 300h & NX 200t F SPORT have been popping up online, here’s what I’ve found so far. Marc Berger from the …

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Kevin · April 20th, 2014

2015 Lexus NX Specifications (Including Horsepower)

There’s a significant amount of new information on the Lexus NX with the crossover’s debut at the Beijing Motor Show today — let’s start things off with the full international press release. Lexus’ first luxury compact crossover, the NX, made its world premiere here today at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, which runs through …

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Kevin · April 20th, 2014

Launch Video: Introducing the Lexus NX

Lexus has publicly debuted the all next NX compact crossover at the Beijing Motor Show, and here’s the official launch video: Balancing footage of the vehicle with a healthy dose of lifestyle imagery, there’s a heavy focus on physical activity — love the inclusion of parkour, it’s a perfect fit for this vehicle. More shortly!
Kevin · April 19th, 2014

Lexus NX to Debut Today at Beijing Motor Show

Later today, Lexus will officially unveil the new NX compact crossover at the Beijing Motor Show. The reveal will be broadcast live online on the Lexus International website, starting at 10:30 ET/7:30 PT, with more details on the NX to be released at that time. Update: The press conference is now over — here is …

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Kevin · April 19th, 2014

Imagining a Lexus NX Crossover Coupe

Photochopper Theophilus Chin has removed two doors from the Lexus NX, creating a crossover coupe — here’s another rendering from the back: The obvious parallel would be the Range Rover Evoque Coupe, an eminently stylish but essentially impractical two-door version of their super-successful crossover. It may be a model that Lexus will never make, but …

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Kevin · April 18th, 2014

Lexus NX Spotted in California Parking Lot

There are two Lexus NX models at the Lexus USA headquarters in Torrance, California, which means the first photos of the new compact crossover out in the wild: Seeing the crossover in a more natural setting makes it all the more appealing — very impressed with the grille on the standard NX, and loving the …

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Kevin · April 17th, 2014

Details on the Lexus NX 200t Turbo Engine

Auto Week has some finer detail on Lexus NX 200t and its Lexus-first turbocharged engine: The NX 200t will feature Lexus’ first turbo engine, a 2.0-liter four with VVT-iW. Yes, that W is new. It signifies advance and retard of the intake cam. At low loads and rpm it can operate as an Atkinson cycle …

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Kevin · April 14th, 2014

Questions About the Lexus NX? Ask Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato

Have a question about the Lexus NX? Takeaki Kato, the chief engineer of the new compact crossover, will be answering questions about the NX direct from the Beijing Motor Show: You can ask questions online now via Facebook or Twitter by using the hashtag #LexusInBeijing — answers will be posted on the Lexus International Facebook …

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Kevin · April 13th, 2014

2015 Lexus NX F SPORT Photo Gallery

Lexus has released a massive new photo collection of the new NX F SPORT compact crossover — here’s the full gallery, posted without comment (that’s coming later):
Kevin · April 11th, 2014

First Live Photos of the Lexus NX F SPORT

Autoguide has posted the first live photos of the new Lexus NX F SPORT — here’s a selection of exterior shots: There’s also an extensive interior gallery — here’s a small taste: Definitely head over to the Autoguide website and look through the photos — I’ve been going through the galleries for the last 20 …

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Kevin · April 10th, 2014

2015 Lexus NX & NX F SPORT Information

Lexus has released the first real details on the new NX, including 11 new photos of the compact crossover in both standard and F SPORT models: The Full Lexus NX Press Release Lexus will unveil its new luxury compact crossover, the Lexus NX, at the 2014 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition to be held in Beijing, …

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Kevin · April 10th, 2014

Lexus NX Compact Crossover Revealed Early by French Magazine

Scans of an article from French magazine L’Automobile have revealed the Lexus NX compact crossover before its official debut: The scans, which were posted earlier today on Club Lexus & World Car Fans, show a production NX that sticks close to the LF-NX concept — much of the exterior body work mirrors the concept, right …

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Kevin · April 10th, 2014

More Details on the Lexus NX Compact Crossover

An automotive site in Slovakia had an advance look at the upcoming Lexus NX compact crossover last month, and have published the above photo along with a text teaser (please excuse the paraphrased Google-assisted translation): Despite the fact that the public has not yet officially seen the new Lexus NX, we had the pleasure to …

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Kevin · April 7th, 2014

Lexus Releases First Image of NX Compact Crossover

Lexus has released the very first teaser image of the NX compact crossover, which is set to debut at the Beijing Motor Show on April 20th — here’s the image in high resolution: The RC-style tri-LED headlights are visible, as are some of the defining sharp angles of the LF-NX concept. One of the biggest …

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Kevin · April 3rd, 2014

Correction Regarding Yesterday’s Lexus NX Image

There’s a correction on yesterday’s post regarding the Lexus NX crossover: Lexus Europe has informed me that the image above is the LF-NX concept, and not a teaser of the production NX model. (The confusion was caused by a mislabeled image on the Lexus Europe pressroom.)
Kevin · March 5th, 2014

Production Lexus NX Compact Crossover to Debut at Beijing Motor Show

During a press conference today in Geneva, new Lexus Europe general manager Alain Uyttenhoven announced the NX production compact crossover will debut at the Beijing Motor Show in April: The LF-NX Concept, presented last year in Frankfurt, showed the Lexus design direction for a mid-size crossover, positioned below our RX. Today I can confirm that …

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Kevin · March 4th, 2014

New Information on the Lexus NX Compact Crossover

Auto Express has some new information on the Lexus NX, including the new rendering seen above: Lexus has revealed that its new NX crossover will arrive in the UK in October, and prices are expected to start at around £30,000 – putting it in close contention with its Audi Q5 and BMW X3 rivals. A …

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Kevin · February 10th, 2014

Lexus NX Prototypes Spotted!

Japanese magazine Mag-X has released two spy photos of the upcoming Lexus NX compact crossover — the masked version above, and this camouflaged prototype: These two images don’t show nearly as much detail as the recently leaked production NX photo, but they do give a better indication of the compact crossover’s overall shape — really, …

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Kevin · February 6th, 2014

Production Lexus NX Compact Crossover Leaked?

An unusual slide was shown during Toyota CEO Jim Lentz’s speech to the Society of Automotive Analysts prior to the Detroit Auto Show — while talking about Lexus in 2014, an image of what looks like a production LF-NX compact crossover was shown: There’s little reason to doubt the authenticity of this image, which is …

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Kevin · January 28th, 2014

Camouflaged Lexus NX Prototype Spotted in Japan

A Lexus NX prototype has been spotted by Japanese magazine Mag-X in some pretty wild camouflage — here are the two photos: The vehicle has been expertly disguised, with only the front spindle grille giving away that fact the model is a Lexus at all — makes me wonder, wouldn’t this amount of camouflage affect …

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Kevin · December 10th, 2013

First Impressions of the Lexus LF-NX Turbo Concept

After staring at photos for months, I finally had a chance to see the Lexus LF-NX concept at the Tokyo Motor Show. Before seeing the LF-NX in person, I had no idea how Lexus was going to transform it into a production model — the concept appeared architectural, more structure than automobile, like a solid …

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Kevin · December 5th, 2013

Production Lexus NX Compact Crossover to Debut at the Geneva Motor Show?

Auto Express is reporting that the production version of the Lexus LF-NX concept will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March: Previewed by the striking LF-NX concept, first shown at the Frankfurt show in September, the compact SUV will retain the concept’s stand-out styling, according to Lexus’ European director Paul Van der Burgh. “What …

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Kevin · December 4th, 2013

Videos: Up Close with the Lexus RC & LF-NX

During the Tokyo Motor Show last week, Lexus asked their Twitter followers to submit ideas for videos from the show floor — 20 videos were created over the course of a single day, including my request for a detailed look at the RC’s headlights: The full collection of videos can be seen on the Lexus …

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Kevin · November 28th, 2013

Lexus to Introduce Full Range of Turbocharged Engines?

Motoring Australia has some details on the future of turbo engines in the Lexus lineup: Little technical information was released in Tokyo and no outputs confirmed, however Lexus group manger engine product design Teru Ogawa told motoring.com.au that a family of engines was being developed. Asked what capacities would be offered, he said “both larger …

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Kevin · November 25th, 2013

Lexus Designer: “LF-NX is a Lightweight Fighter”

The second issue of Lexus’ BEYOND Magazine will soon be published, and the Lexus International website has a preview of the feature LF-NX story: “To use boxing terminology, the LF-NX is a lightweight fighter,” says designer Nobuyuki Tomatsu when asked to describe the latest Lexus concept car, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. …

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Kevin · November 15th, 2013

Personalized Live Lexus Video from Tokyo Motor Show

As part of the RC 350 coupe reveal next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus is running a social media initiative through Twitter & Vine: On the 21st, send your tweet to Lexus via Twitter – using the Twitter hashtag #LexusInTokyo – with your request for an up-close view of the design details of …

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Kevin · November 13th, 2013

Turbocharged Lexus LF-NX Concept to Debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Lexus will be showing a new turbocharged LF-NX concept alongside the production RC coupe at the Tokyo Motor Show: The Lexus LF-NX concept, which made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year, has been outfitted with a newly-developed 2.0-liter turbo engine for guaranteed power and improved fuel economy. A lower center of …

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Kevin · November 4th, 2013

Fake Lexus NX Spyshot Surfaces

A number of readers have sent in a link to the above image, which was posted on the Burlapp Car website with claims to be the new Lexus NX compact crossover — not to burst anyone’s bubble, but compare the image to this photo of the RX: Always find these fake spy shots so creative, …

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Kevin · October 16th, 2013

How Will the Next-Generation Lexus Remote Touch System Work?

Italian website Quattroruote has an amazing photo collection of the Lexus LF-NX concept interior — here’s a selection: Of all the design details inside the LF-NX, the reinvented Remote Touch system deserves a closer look — there are two parts, the controller and the display screen: Most importantly, the current Remote Touch controller has been …

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Kevin · September 30th, 2013

Lexus RC & Lexus NX Renderings from Autobild

German magazine Autobild has published two low-resolution estimations at what the Lexus NX compact crossover & RC coupe might look like: The hood line on the RC coupe rendering is a little awkward, but both images could be decent representations on what we can expect from Lexus in the near future. [Source: Autobild] (Thanks zverigor!)
Kevin · September 26th, 2013

Is Lexus Planning an Even Smaller Crossover?

According to Car Advice, Lexus may be considering something even smaller than the LF-NX: Asked about the potential for a compact SUV during a media round-table at the Frankfurt motor show, Lexus design division project general manager Takeshi Tanabe responded: “Why not?” Larger than originally expected at 4640mm long, the LF-NX concept – set to …

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Kevin · September 16th, 2013

Video: The Lexus LF-NX Concept

Following the debut of the Lexus LF-NX at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the very first promotional video of the concept has been released.
Kevin · September 10th, 2013

Lexus Reveals the LF-NX Compact Crossover Concept

Less than a week before its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Lexus has revealed their LF-NX compact crossover concept. Let’s start with the full press release (click on any image for a high resolution version). A new Lexus mid-size crossover concept, the LF-NX, will make its world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, …

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Kevin · September 4th, 2013

Two New Lexus Hybrid Models in 2014

Speaking at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Michigan this week, Lexus International’s Paul Williamsen announced that Lexus will offer nine hybrid models worldwide by the end of 2014.
Kevin · August 9th, 2013