Lexus’ new NX compact SUV has made its world premiere at the Beijing Auto Show. From a sales standpoint, the NX is Lexus’ most important new model introduction in years as it marks the brand’s entry in the growing luxury compact SUV segment where it will fight against the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.

Slotting right under the slightly larger Lexus RX which up until now, has been positioned in-between categories (expect the next RX to grow in size), the NX is 4,630mm (182.3 inches) long, 1,845mm (72.6 inches) wide, and 1,645mm (64.8 inches) tall with a 2,660mm (104.7 inches) wheelbase.

In comparison, the RX is 4,770 mm (187.8 inches) long with a 2,740 mm (107.9 inches) wheelbase, while the (recently facelifted) BMW X3 is 4,652 mm (183.1 inches) long and rides on a 2,810 mm (110.6 inches) wheelbase.

Scheduled to go on sale in world markets in the second half of 2014, Lexus is showing the NX in Beijing with two powertrains, including the brand’s first ever turbocharged gasoline unit for the NX 200t and a hybrid unit for the NX 300h.

In JDM spec, the NX 200t has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with direct-injection and start-stop tech that delivers 235hp (238PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque, and is linked to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission. According to the Japanese carmaker, “to ensure Lexus quality and performance, the new turbo engine has been tested for more than 1 million kilometers [about 620,000 miles]”.

The NX 300h combines 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four gasoline engine with an integrated high-torque motor producing a total system output (in JDM spec) of 194hp (197PS), which is less than what the same unit returns on the RC 300h coupe at 217hp (220PS).

Furthermore, the NX features a new Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that Lexus says is capable of variable control in 30 stages, with the SUV to be offered in both front and all-wheel drive editions, the latter sporting a Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive system that automatically switches from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive “by calculating the driver’s intended driving line and adjusting the distribution of torque to the rear wheels as required”.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx3JEA7f8