The Moscow International Auto Show 2014 is currently underway in Russia and Japanese automaker Lexus turned out in force with a selection of its latest and greatest models.
First and foremost, the stunning Lexus RC F Carbon Edition was presented in white and contrasted with a gloss carbon fibre bonnet, blacked-out front grille and carbon fibre splitter. Additionally, a selection of Lexus NX models were presented in the SUV loving country.
As it stands, Lexus has confirmed that three different powertrains will be available. Most important is the brand new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine found in the Lexus NX 200t and NX 200t F Sport as these models are the first turbocharged Lexus cars ever! The Lexus NX will be positioned below the RX and on top of the turbocharged engine, a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder will be available alongside a hybrid powertrain utilised by the NX 300h. In total, six different hybrid variants will be made available.
While its design isn’t as in-your-face as the original LF-NX Concept revealed in Frankfurt last year, the production-spec Lexus NX still looks mighty impressive in person. It is immediately clear that the Lexus NX features a host of very sharp lines unlike its competitors the BMW X1 and particularly, the curvy Mercedes-Benz GLA. Up front you’ll find Lexus’ trademark spindle grille along with twin headlight and daytime running light design as the latest generation Lexus IS and Lexus RC Coupe.
Production of the Lexus NX recently kicked off at the company’s award-winning Miyata plant in Japan. This facility also produces the Lexus CT and RX. Lexus is so confident in the NX that it believes after its first full year of sales in 2015, it will make up a third of all Lexus sales across Europe.
When describing the development of the new NX, the executive vice president of the Toyota Motor Corporation Masamoto Maekawa said, “The ideas that drove the creation of the NX didn’t just come from the development team. We created ‘Team NX’ which included inputs from marketing, sales planning and production.”
