Toyota is preparing the fourth edition of its successful mid-sized crossover: the new 2016 Lexus RX.
For Toyota, the Lexus RX is a crucial model due to the fact that the Lexus RX is the best selling luxury SUV in the US market. For this reason only, Toyota has great expectations in a very competitive segment. In the US market, the 2016 Lexus RX will fight against the Mercedes GLE (the former ML), the VW Touareg, the Acura MDX or the Ford Edge.
And competition also came from the propulsion systems, with the Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid already on the market and the BMW X5 Plug-In Hybrid and the Mercedes GLE Plug-In Hybrid, all ready for this summer, with an electric range up to 35 km.
First of all, the Lexus RX will be slightly bigger and the interior will be more spacious and more luxurious. Buyers can count on superior driving experience, because this car is very comfortable. The outside appearance of the car is dominated by a re-designed front grille and a new improved look of the LED headlamps.
Lexus is also counting on a better dynamic performance. The 3.5 liter V6 (277 HP in Europe and 270 HP in the US) will be replaced by a new 4.0 litre V6 with around 350 HP and 430 lb-ft which raises the performance levels at the level of a V8. Despite a bigger displacement and bigger output and torque, Toyota promises that the new engine will consume less fuel by 20 percent, which makes it one the most frugal cars in its category.
The engine will be mated with the 8-speed automatic gearbox made by Aisin, a subsidiary of Toyota.
Aisin provides the 8-speed automatic gearbox also for the VW Touareg and the new Volvo XC90.
There are rumours that the 2016 Lexus RX will have a rear wheel drive as a base (the current models has a front wheel drive for the base versions). And for sure, a hybrid version will complete the range.
