2018 Lexus NX emerges

THE wraps came off the face-lifted 2018 model Lexus NX SUV at the Shanghai motor show in China recently, showing off a sharp new look that concealed a range of new safety equipment.

As well as a foot-sensing automatic powered tailgate – kick to open, useful if your hands are full with shopping – the Lexus NX now gets a pre-collision system, radar cruise control, lane departure alert and automatic high beam headlights standard across all models, not just the top-shelf variants.

Lexus Australia's product PR manager, Nick Raman, told motoring.com.au the upgraded safety features would be confirmed closer to the updated NX's local release in the first half of 2018.

"The full extent of that [safety upgrade] will be revealed ahead of its arrival in Australia in the first half of 2018," said Raman.

"In terms of the specification and detail, we'll know that closer to launch."

The new model features a subtle reworking of the original design, whose angles and stark lines have been massaged to integrate more smoothly into the overall design, according to Lexus.

Building the brand down under
First available here in late 2014, Raman said the NX is "an incredibly important vehicle" for the prestige brand.

"It's represented a huge opportunity for Lexus in Australia and played a big part in our sales momentum and growth. NX is the entry model to our SUV line-up, it's broadened our horizons in the SUV space," he added.

As well as the bread and butter variants, the Lexus NX F Sport models also get a new design, with a spindle grille that is much bigger and bolder now.

New-look alloy wheels have been added, including a design with bronze highlights.
Lexus has also reworked the interior starting with a significantly larger display unit, up from 7-inches to 10.3-inches. Changes to the heating/cooling controls have "dramatically simplified" operation along with almost every other control and switch in the cabin.

The controversial remote touch interface pad (a feedback-based trackpad/joystick input system) has been reshaped and is now bigger and overall details have been improved, from the leather upholstery to revised needlework and metallic surfaces.

"Even if it can't be immediately seen, an acute attention to detail, such as the way the stitching of materials creates a subtle pattern, can be felt spiritually to make a difference to the customer," said Takeaki Kato, chief engineer of the NX.

Under the bonnet
Engine types remain the same with a pair of four-cylinder petrol units: one turbo, the other hybrid.

The NX 200t has been renamed the NX 300 and is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine generating 175kW, with claimed fuel consumption of 7.7L/100km. This naming convention will carry through to Australian models.

The other engine choice is a 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol engine augmented by a pair of electric motors. It makes 147kW but uses fuel at a rate of 5.6L/100km.

Although the engines have not been modified, Lexus says the NX has a "richer, sportier engine sound and exhaust note" thanks to Active Sound Control, or ASC, that pipes noise through the stereo.

Quizzed over whether we could see a V8-powered Audi RS Q5 rivalling Lexus NX F one day, a muscled-up halo model to cap the range, Raman laughed.

"It's not in the [product] plan at the moment. But you never say never."