Lexus entered India with the Lexus ES and Lexus RX earlier this year. The Lexus LX followed later. According to a report from Autocar India, Lexus will launch its fourth model in the country on 17 November - the Lexus NX.
Lexus introduced the Lexus NX in 2014 as its smallest SUV. The Lexus NX competes with the likes of BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes GLC. The compact SUV is based on a modified version of the Toyota RAV4’s platform. It is available globally in three models: NX200, NX300 and NX300h. In India, Lexus will offer only the NX 300h, which, as its name suggests, is a hybrid.
The Lexus NX300h is 4,640 mm long, 1,845 mm wide and 1,645 mm tall. It has a 2,660 mm wheelbase, and a ground clearance of 170 mm. Its powertrain consists of the 2AR-FXE 2.5-litre petrol engine and the 2JM electric motor at the front. The petrol engine produces 152 PS and 206 Nm of torque. The electric motor generates 143 PS and 270 Nm of torque. This configuration is for the front-wheel model. The all-wheel-drive model has the 2FM electric motor as well, at the rear. This electric motor develops 68 PS and 139 Nm of torque. The hybrid SUV’s fuel economy rating (JC08 test cycle) is 21 km/l (FWD)/19.8 km/l (AWD).
Lexus will offer the NX300h in India in Luxury and F Sport grades. The NX300h will have a navigation system as standard, and also feature a head-up display in our market. The F Sport grade will have paddle shifters to let the driver handle the gearshifts.
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Lexus is trying to position itself as a brand more premium than Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz as well as Jaguar Land Rover. Dealer sources have said that the Lexus will likely price the Lexus NX at INR 74 lakh in the luxury grade and at INR 78 lakh in the F Sport grade. Do note that Lexus imports vehicles in India in CBU form. The company is considering local assembly to avoid hefty taxes and lower the prices.
[Source: Autocar India]
