First look: Lexus previews next-generation RX

LEXUS has provided a clear view of what the next generation RX350 will look like with these teaser photos of a concept vehicle that will be shown at next week’s Tokyo motor show.

It could turn into a production reality as early as next year and be on Australian roads in 2009.

The Lexus LF-Xh concept indicates a more angular and aggressive look for the company’s third-generation SUV, although some of the more extreme elements like the super-low roofline are likely to be softened on the final production version. We can also expect regular doorhandles and exterior mirrors (rather than the show car’s cameras), as well as roof rails, when the production version arrives.

Although the original RX300 largely pioneered the sleek sports crossover look, the almost pillarless profile and heavily raked rear end design of the LF-Xh shows that Lexus is keeping a wary eye on even more coupe-like SUVs such as the recently-revealed BMW X6.

Tellingly, the LF-X designation stands for ‘Lexus Future-crossover’ and the company describes the concept as an ‘SUV sports sedan crossover’.

The ‘h’ stands for hybrid as the show car is powered by both a V6 petrol engine and a high-output electric motor. Lexus and parent company Toyota are both keen to promote hybrid SUVs to make them more socially acceptable.

Lexus first previewed the Camry-based RX as a concept vehicle in 1997 before putting it into production in 1998, when it became an instant sales hit and quickly established itself as the company’s top-seller. RX sales have made Lexus the luxury vehicle leader in the US for the past seven years.

The RX series debuted in Australia with the second-generation RX330 in April 2003 and was updated to the RX350 with a bigger engine early last year.

The second-generation model featured a more coupe-like profile than the original, with a BMW-style waistline kick-up at the rear.

Interestingly, while a six-seater LF-X concept vehicle (powered by a 4.3-litre V8 engine) first appeared at the Tokyo show in 2003 with a straight waistline, the latest version has returned to the kick-up tail and a more accentuated rear slant.

Lexus has revealed few details on the LF-Xh ahead of next week’s reveal, but the dimensions alone show it to be the real deal, being considerably smaller than the bloated original concept of four years ago but slightly larger than the current RX350.

Sitting on a 2850mm wheelbase (135mm longer than the current RX), it is 4800mm long (up 40mm), 1895mm wide (up 50mm) and 1650mm high (some 85mm lower than the RX350).

While the exterior looks close to production, the interior of the LF-Xh is (typically for a concept car) somewhat more far-fetched, with two touchscreens replacing virtually all of the conventional switches and buttons.

The dashboard sweeps seamlessly from the instrument binnacle down into the centre console while, interestingly, Lexus has followed the lead of Audi by fitting a flat-bottom steering wheel.

Lexus will also show its latest LF-A sports car in Tokyo, this being the 5.0-litre V10-engined two-seater concept that appeared at the Detroit show in January (two years after the original LF-A appeared).

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