Production Lexus NX Crossover Finally Debuting in Beijing
The New York Auto Show isn’t the only major automotive event set to take place this April… Just two days after doors open in New York, the 2014 Beijing Auto Show will open too. With it, we’ve now discovered that the production version of the Lexus NX crossover will at last make its debut.
To jog your memory, we first heard about a possible NX crossover all the way back at the beginning of last year when Lexus first trademarked the model ‘NX’ moniker. Then, last September at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show the rumors were confirmed with the first Lexus LF-NX Concept. Following that, we saw a turbocharged version at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in November.
As you can see, even from the darkened teaser it looks as if the Lexus NX crossover has kept the majority of its aggressive design. We can clearly see the enormous, low-riding spindle grille dominating the left side of the photo. In fact, the angular headlight design with the checkmark LEDs look even sharper than the concept versions. That trend continues along the rest of the crossover’s body – the wheel arches, the sideskirts, even what little we can see of the window lines and hood look almost identical to that of the NX Turbo Concept.
As we covered a couple months ago, it’s possible that we’ve already seen the Lexus NX during CEO Jim Lentz’s speech at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. This potentially inadvertent slip showed us a depiction of the NX that’s somewhat more watered down than what this new teaser would lead us to believe. A screen capture of the aforementioned image is shown below:
How sharp or mild the Lexus NX crossover ends up being compared to its LF-NX brethren will only be confirmed when we see the actual vehicle in Beijing. Or, should we say vehicles…
Just like we saw two different versions of the LF NX Concept, we can also expect to see two different Lexus NX crossovers, although it’s not clear whether both different trims will be represented at the Chinese motor show. We also don’t know if both versions will make it to the US.
The first version of the NX, the Lexus NX 300h, will feature a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5L Atkinson-cycle petrol paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion batteries (we hope), just like we’ve seen in the Lexus ES 300h. The engine itself will likely output upwards of 200hp, but may not achieve the ES 300h’s 40mpg given the increased size of the crossover.
The second version of the luxury crossover, the Lexus NX 200t, will feature the premium Japanese brand’s first ever turbocharged engine. It’ll be a 2.0L four-cylinder with direct-injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger. Lexus claims that this version of the NX will offer incredible throttle response and thrilling driving dynamics, all while offering reasonable fuel economy.
There are some other speculations to be heard about the Lexus NX regarding its interior, price and technologies, but we won’t know anything for sure until the crossover makes its official debut at the 2014 Beijing Motor Show. So, come back after April 20th to get the full scoop.
