Lexus RX 300 Sport Utility Details Revealed
13 October 1997
Lexus RX 300 Sport Utility Details Revealed
TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 13 -- Lexus today announced that its
new concept, all-wheel-drive RX 300 sport utility vehicle (SUV) will be
introduced for sale in March of 1998 as a 1999 model. The luxury carmaker
also released preliminary information about the vehicle, including the first
photographs showing it in production form. The RX 300, based on the highly
acclaimed Lexus Sport Luxury Vehicle Concept introduced last February at the
Chicago Auto Show, will make its public debut in January at the 1998 North
American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The RX 300 is expected to satisfy the changing tastes of today's luxury
vehicle buyers who want the style, versatility, commanding visibility and
poor-weather traction of an all-wheel-drive SUV but have not considered one in
the past because on-road performance, ride comfort, fuel economy or ease of
entry/exit did not meet their expectations.
The RX 300 will go anywhere the road goes in all kinds of weather and
sometimes where there is no road at all. It will provide a more comfortable,
responsive and efficient alternative to traditional truck-based SUVs like the
Jeep Grand Cherokee and Range Rover Discovery, as well as recent entries such
as the Mercedes-Benz ML 320.
"This newest Lexus will offer the ideal combination of performance,
luxury, roomy utility and all-wheel-drive traction, designed for the way SUV
drivers actually use their vehicles every day," noted Jim Press, Lexus senior
vice president and general manager. "Because it's not built on a truck-based
chassis, it's the first truly car-like luxury SUV."
In terms of size, the RX 300 is slightly longer and wider than the Jeep
Grand Cherokee. Combined front- and second-seat leg room is more than Grand
Cherokee, Infiniti QX4 or Range Rover Discovery. Overall height and floor
height are significantly lower than the M-Class or Infiniti QX4 for easy entry
and exit yet the RX 300 has a generous ground clearance of 7.5 inches.
Contrary to early speculation, the RX 300 is based on a unique floorpan
and key chassis components not shared with other Lexus or Toyota products. Of
unibody construction, the RX structure provides high torsional and bending
rigidity, without need for the extra weight and bulk of separate body-on-frame
construction employed by most SUVs. As a result, the RX 300 curb weight is
lighter than many competitors for better performance and fuel economy.
Thanks to an exceptionally rapid design process, Lexus planners and
engineers were able to respond to the most recent changes in customer
preferences and attitudes about SUVs.
Very short development time from final design approval to production line-
off was achieved by advances in concurrent engineering and adoption of
existing components. Examples include the lightweight aluminum engine block
of the ES 300 luxury sedan, rugged drivetrain components proven in high-
performance, all-wheel-drive vehicles, and safety crush structures
concurrently designed with other new products.
The RX 300 is powered by an all-aluminum, 3.0-liter, V6 engine producing
exceptional power and torque for its displacement, thanks to the first usage
of variable valve timing (VVTi) in a sport utility vehicle. Similar to the
VVTi system introduced in the 1998 Lexus LS 400, GS 400, SC 400, GS 300 and SC
300, the RX 300's continuously variable valve timing helps minimize the
customary tradeoffs between low rpm torque, high rpm power, fuel economy and
clean emissions. The cylinder heads and intake and exhaust systems were newly
developed for the RX 300.
Power is delivered through a new 4-speed automatic transmission to a full-
time, all-wheel-drive system with a 50/50 front/rear torque split. A center
differential with integral viscous coupling combined with an available
Torsen(R) limited-slip differential prevent wheel spin.
Numerous features previewed on the Sport Luxury Vehicle Concept will be
standard equipment on the RX 300, including side airbags for front seat
occupants, and rear seating which reclines, folds nearly flat or slides
forward and aft more than 4 inches to adjust rear seat roominess or cargo
capacity to suit.
Audio, heating, air conditioning, and trip computer functions are
monitored by a standard liquid crystal monitor in the center instrument
cluster. As with all recently introduced Lexus vehicles, the RX will feature
a standard premium audio system with optional in-dash 6-CD auto changer.
Additional RX 300 features and final specifications will be announced at
its public debut. The RX 300 will complement the highly successful Lexus LX
when it joins the lineup, making Lexus the only full-line luxury brand
offering two distinct sport-utility platforms in the US market. The LX 450
was the first SUV to be offered by a luxury carmaker, and provides the
ultimate in rugged, go-anywhere capabilities combined with luxurious comfort
and accommodations.
In addition to introducing an innovative new sport utility vehicle concept
to the luxury market, the RX 300 will provide something no competitive SUV can
offer... the Lexus nameplate, delivering the highest customer satisfaction in
the automotive industry, as reported by the most recent J.D. Power and
Associates Customer Satisfaction Survey.
RX 300 Preliminary Specifications
Overall length: 180.1 ins.
Overall height: 71.5 ins.
Overall width: 65.3 ins.
Wheelbase: 103.1 ins.
Front track: 61.7 ins.
Rear track: 61.6 ins.
Ground clearance: 7.5 ins.
Engine type: 3.0-liter, 24-valve aluminum V6 with VVTi continuously
variable valve timing
Drivetrain: Full-time all-wheel drive
Seating capacity: 5
SOURCE Toyota Lexus
