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By
EWAN KENNEDY
27 March 2006
Lexus has increased the engine size of its RX soft-roader to 3.5 litres,
thus creating the new RX350 from the now-superseded RX330.
As befits a model that’s been very successful,
Lexus has wisely chosen to leave the winning formula alone and
concentrate on minor improvements. Equipment level has been raised
for the RX350, with uprated satellite navigation and audio/DVD
systems being the chief items fitted. The latter has a six-disc
changer that can take either CDs or DVDs.
Amongst many other features the new satellite
navigation system can ‘breadcrumb’, that is it can be asked to
mark the trail you have just taken so that it’s easy to retrace
your tracks. A handy feature at all times, and even more so in the
bush than around the suburbs.
‘New’ is hardly the right expression as the
latest Lexus RX is virtually identical in appearance to the old
one. Serious car spotters will see changes to the shape of the
roof rack, but others will have to rely on looking for the ‘350’
badges.
The 3.5-litre twin-cam V6 engine is a high-tech
design that uses variable valve timing on all cylinders and boasts
up to 203kW and 342Nm. Power is up 18 per cent on the superseded
3.3-litre twin-cam, but, surprisingly, Lexus’ engineers have
only managed to squeeze an additional four per cent of torque out
of the 3.5-litre. Presumably the torque graph has been fattened
out and extra torque will show up over a wider range of revs. At
this stage we haven’t been able to drive the new RX350, but will
report on the new engine’s characteristics when we have done so.
The Lexus V6 is transversely mounted and mated
to a five-speed sequential automatic transmission. There's no
option of a manual gearbox as Lexus feels buyers in this class are
simply not interested in doing their own gearchanging. However,
the automatic’s sequential feature as used on the RX330 did a
reasonably good job of giving the driver some manual control when
the need arose.
Though it has the looks of a stylish 4WD, this
luxurious Lexus doesn't even pretend to be an offroader. Rather,
it's a sleek all-purpose car that will take you and your family on
any road surface no matter how slippery it is underfoot (undertyre).
Your favourite forest trails are simple to traverse. As are
beaches, though the limited ground clearance of the Lexus RX350
(and the older RX330) mean you had better look out for deep ruts
in the sand as they could cause the vehicle to drag its shapely
belly. To the extent of getting hung up if the driver gets it
really wrong.
Lexus RX350's all-wheel-drive system is a
complex one and can be used sealed roads. It gives stability and
security at speeds much higher than the typical owner is likely to
attempt.
The best feature of the Lexus RX is that it's
smooth and near-silent in the long-time tradition of this upmarket
Japanese marque. Refinement is there in the sort of way that would
simply not have been possible in a conventional 4WD. This ‘4WD’
is refined and most pleasant to ride in.
Cabin space is fine for four adults and even
five isn’t too much of a problem. The front seats are large and
comfortable, the rears well shaped for what they are. Boot room is
good, but practicality is hampered by the stylish slope of the
rear of the vehicle, thus making it impossible to carry large
boxes and bulky items.
Priced at $74,800 for the Sport and $84,100 for
the Luxury, the new Lexus RX350 offers a lot of prestige and is
finished to a stunningly high standard.
The RX is the highest selling of all Lexus
models in Australia, indeed globally. Which is a slightly odd fact
considering that Lexus originally set out to challenge the
prestige market with topline sedans, not 4WDs, albeit 4WDs aimed
at on-road use.
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Marque Publishing Company
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