Japan’s Lexus has confirmed that it has no plans to offer high-performance F variants of its SUVs. This comes despite the fact that its German rivals are continuing to do so.
While speaking with Car Advice at the launch of the Lexus RC F in New York, Yukihiko Yaguchi, the chief engineer of the Lexus F program, revealed that the NX and RX SUVs won’t receive F versions.
“To have an F badge, the car needs to have the characteristics to be able to run on track and be a race car. Therefore it doesn’t really suit to have an SUV with a F brand model. However there may be F Sports in SUVs.”
While Lexus SUV owners won’t be able to get F-spec versions, a more than adequate number of engine options for the new Lexus NX will be available. 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.
[Via Car Advice]
