Lexus RX300: A Supercharged RAV4 by any Other Name
January, 06 1998 -- Jim Press, senior vice president and general manager of Lexus Division, explained to journalists gathered for a press conference at the 1998 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) that near-luxury unit sales, when cars and SUVs are combined, will continue to grow beyond the end of the decade. Furthermore, buyers will want the utility and capability of an SUV combined with the handling of a sedan. To cover all fronts in the battle for Boomers, Lexus on Tuesday introduced to journalists a hybrid l uxury SUV that is base priced at $31,550.
That's for the front-wheel drive model. Yes, that's right. Front-wheel drive, just like a RAV4. If you want full-time four-wheel drive, pony up an additional $1,400. Standard equipment on all RX300 models includes a liquid-crystal display mounted in th e dashboard that controls audio, climate, and trip computer controls. Optional are leather heated seats, power moonroof, traction control (on front-wheel drive models), and a premium 190-watt Nakamichi sound system with CD changer.
Under the hood of the RX300 sits a 220-horsepower 3.0-liter aluminum V-6. Using VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing, intelligent), the motor makes 80 percent of peak torque at a low 1,600 rpm. The resulting acceleration times are impressive: 8.5 seconds for th e front-wheel drive model and with 4WD the trek takes just 8.8 seconds. The 4WD RX300 gets 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, and meets California's stringent LEV standards.
With 7.7 inches of ground clearance, one might think the RX300 is tough to climb into. Not so. With a lower step-in height than other SUVs, entering the RX300 is more like hopping into a Toyota Sienna minivan than climbing aboard a Land Cruiser. Contra ry to popular belief, the RX300 is not based on the Camry, though the purpose-built RX300 is fashioned from a car-like platform. The result is better handling and comfort than you might find in many sport utility vehicles.
There's more room for passengers and cargo as well, depending on your priority. Since the rear seat slides back and forth with 4.7 inches of travel, passengers or suitcases can have additional room as required. The rear seat backs split 60/40, and they recline for added comfort on longer trips. Standard safety equipment includes high strength side-impact door beams, daytime running lights, and seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers.
Sounds good, but it doesn't look good. The most interesting styling themes on the exterior of the RX300 are the circular headlamp and taillamp treatments, and the triangular rear quarter windows. The "corduroy" grille looks tacked on, the flanks are sla b sided, and the rear styling is unremarkable. Like competitor Mercedes-Benz, Lexus has designed a vehicle that strives to blend the user-friendliness of a minivan with the rugged good looks and four-wheel drive capability of an SUV. Too bad they both r esemble something closer to a Dodge Caravan than a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Fortunately, the Lexus LX470, also on display at the 1998 NAIAS, looks the part of a sport utility. With aggressively flared wheel wells, a squared-off greenhouse, and front styling patterned after the GS sedan, the LX470 is unmistakably a truck. Comple tely redesigned for 1998, the LX is powered by a new 4.7-liter V-8, rides on an independent front suspension, and boasts a frame that is 95% stronger than that of the outgoing LX450. Both the RX300 and LX470 will be marketed with the tag line "Same pursu it. Different path."
With these two vehicles, in addition to the successful GS sedan, Lexus announced a 1998 sales goal of 120,000 units, or 25% better than the record sales posted for 1997. The RX300 and LX470 will hit showrooms in March.
January, 06 1998 -- Jim Press, senior vice president and general manager of Lexus Division, explained to journalists gathered for a press conference at the 1998 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) that near-luxury unit sales, when cars and SUVs are combined, will continue to grow beyond the end of the decade. Furthermore, buyers will want the utility and capability of an SUV combined with the handling of a sedan. To cover all fronts in the battle for Boomers, Lexus on Tuesday introduced to journalists a hybrid l uxury SUV that is base priced at $31,550.
That's for the front-wheel drive model. Yes, that's right. Front-wheel drive, just like a RAV4. If you want full-time four-wheel drive, pony up an additional $1,400. Standard equipment on all RX300 models includes a liquid-crystal display mounted in th e dashboard that controls audio, climate, and trip computer controls. Optional are leather heated seats, power moonroof, traction control (on front-wheel drive models), and a premium 190-watt Nakamichi sound system with CD changer.
Under the hood of the RX300 sits a 220-horsepower 3.0-liter aluminum V-6. Using VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing, intelligent), the motor makes 80 percent of peak torque at a low 1,600 rpm. The resulting acceleration times are impressive: 8.5 seconds for th e front-wheel drive model and with 4WD the trek takes just 8.8 seconds. The 4WD RX300 gets 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway, and meets California's stringent LEV standards.
With 7.7 inches of ground clearance, one might think the RX300 is tough to climb into. Not so. With a lower step-in height than other SUVs, entering the RX300 is more like hopping into a Toyota Sienna minivan than climbing aboard a Land Cruiser. Contra ry to popular belief, the RX300 is not based on the Camry, though the purpose-built RX300 is fashioned from a car-like platform. The result is better handling and comfort than you might find in many sport utility vehicles.
There's more room for passengers and cargo as well, depending on your priority. Since the rear seat slides back and forth with 4.7 inches of travel, passengers or suitcases can have additional room as required. The rear seat backs split 60/40, and they recline for added comfort on longer trips. Standard safety equipment includes high strength side-impact door beams, daytime running lights, and seat-mounted side airbags for front passengers.
Sounds good, but it doesn't look good. The most interesting styling themes on the exterior of the RX300 are the circular headlamp and taillamp treatments, and the triangular rear quarter windows. The "corduroy" grille looks tacked on, the flanks are sla b sided, and the rear styling is unremarkable. Like competitor Mercedes-Benz, Lexus has designed a vehicle that strives to blend the user-friendliness of a minivan with the rugged good looks and four-wheel drive capability of an SUV. Too bad they both r esemble something closer to a Dodge Caravan than a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Fortunately, the Lexus LX470, also on display at the 1998 NAIAS, looks the part of a sport utility. With aggressively flared wheel wells, a squared-off greenhouse, and front styling patterned after the GS sedan, the LX470 is unmistakably a truck. Comple tely redesigned for 1998, the LX is powered by a new 4.7-liter V-8, rides on an independent front suspension, and boasts a frame that is 95% stronger than that of the outgoing LX450. Both the RX300 and LX470 will be marketed with the tag line "Same pursu it. Different path."
With these two vehicles, in addition to the successful GS sedan, Lexus announced a 1998 sales goal of 120,000 units, or 25% better than the record sales posted for 1997. The RX300 and LX470 will hit showrooms in March.
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