At the 82nd Geneva International Motor Show, Lexus unveiled the updated RX line of premium crossover. As the chief engineer of the RX project Takayuki Katsuda told Za rulyom. RF, in the process of improving the model, he met with Russian Lexus customers - owners of the RX crossover, to find out their opinion about the car and discuss what it needs improvement.
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- Katsuda-san, what wishes were most often expressed by the Russian owners of the Lexus RX?
- In Russia, unlike Western Europe and the United States, where the average age of the owner of the RX is 50 and older, this car is chosen by people younger than 30 years old. Hence the wishes: most often Russian customers said that they would like to see their crossover more aggressive in appearance and more dynamic. At one time, we listened to the suggestions of our colleagues, which were based on customer preferences, and prepared for Russia a budget front-wheel drive version of the RX with a smaller engine. The car received in Russia not two, as in other countries, but three modifications. In addition to the flagship hybrid version of the RX 450h and RX 350, which is in demand mainly in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and the Caucasus countries, the RX 270 option is exclusively intended for Russian buyers. During the restyling, we achieved that driving with a smaller engine became truly honed.
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- How is the updated RX different from the dorestyling model?
- I think the most important thing is that driving is now much easier and more enjoyable and that he received a version of F Sport. RX delivers a lot of driving pleasure and is attractive in appearance. We revised the suspension system, ensuring that the crossover moves even more smoothly than before.
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- Which of the RX versions would you choose for yourself?
- Already chosen. I drive a hybrid RX 450h. It captivates with silence in the cabin, comfort, calm and predictable behavior. I, like many, get tired of work, and my car allows me to relax on the road. Well, now you can choose a sports mode if you wish and enjoy the dynamic nature of the car, how it responds to the lightest pressing the accelerator pedal.
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Lexus RX 450h F Sport Lexus RX 450h F Sport
- Do you think the male or female audience will prefer the updated look of the RX?
“I think everyone will like him.” This is especially true of the front end, which has become not only emphasized sporty, but also more elegant, as well as the design of the optics. In addition, the body color palette has expanded - now it has 10 color options. Materials and colors trim will also be more. The steering wheel, thanks to the changing profile, has become more comfortable to grip and sharper in feedback, and if you choose a steering wheel with wooden inserts for your car, it will be heated, which is also important in cold Russia.
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Lexus RX 450h Lexus RX 450h
- What did our car owners say about the F Sport version?
- One of the ideas that we supported with great pleasure was the desire to emphasize the uniqueness of the sports modification in the design of the model.
