irishcar.com - Lexus RX300

The Lexus RX300 marks ‘a new definition for the Lexus brand in Europe, a new breed of Lexus and a new breed of sport utility vehicle’. That’s the view of the marque, and no doubt their customers will tell them if they’re right. Meantime, RX300 offers levels of driving comfort and on-road performance in line with Lexus cars.

"This was a prime consideration in the development of the RX300, that the luxury and comfort we are already known for would not be compromised," Mark Teevan of Lexus Ireland (right) said at the Irish launch.

Lexus wanted a workhorse that was a thoroughbred. So it is built on the same platform as the GS series, but with an entirely new body. This allowed more refinement than the usual separate-chassis off-roader.

RX300 does its off-road thing without the driver having to engage much with the process, because everything taking care of any difficult conditions does so completely automatically. All the acronyms - VST, TC, BA, ABS, EBD - and the 4WD power transfer mechanisms work as a computer-coached team to do the needful.

There’s an Executive version, with leather, walnut, and an indispensable windscreen wiper de-icer.

Prices are £49,000 and £53,500 respectively. A total of 150 units are expected to roll onto Irish roads next year. And there’s money out there for them, as Mercedes-Benz have found. The RX300 also comes on the market before the next generation Range Rover due next year. So it could well pick up market from those R-R people who don’t want to wait.

And Mark Teevan suggests that quite a few existing Lexus owners will simply ‘add’ an RX to their garage. For the difficult days.

The RX300 is powered by a 3-litre, all-aluminium V6 engine, featuring the highly efficient VVT-i variable valve timing system developed by parent company Toyota. It outputs 201hp, and produces peak torque from as low as 1600rpm.

Suspension is all-round independent, and the RX300 differs from its original American stablemate through a number of powertrain and chassis refinements developed in Europe for European driving conditions. These include fine tuning the steering and suspension to offer greater driver response and feedback, as well as the addition of Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist.

The RX300 has has been on sale in the US since 1998. It is the best selling Lexus in that market, with over 73,000 sales in 1999 and significantly more expected in 2000. In Europe, RX300 is being especially targeted at wealthy markets with leisure needs such as Switzerland, Austria and Scandinavia. Not to mention Ireland’s roaring Celtic Tigers.

Maintaining luxury and sophistication has been achieved with a lot of special technology, including the use of an engine mount controlled directly by each combustion stroke of the engine. A solenoid-controlled diaphragm creates pulses which are equal but opposite to the engine's movements, to counteract vibrations.

The engine is also equipped with an Acoustic Control Induction System, which adapts the intake air-passages according to the engine speed and the throttle valve opening, in order to optimise performance in all speed-ranges.

Transmission is a four-speed electronically-controlled automatic matched to the four-wheel drive system, which itself features a viscous limited-slip centre differential. This automatically transfers torque when required to the wheels which have the most traction. A Vehicle Stability Control system steps in as soon as wheel spin is detected on one of the wheels.

These technologies obviate the need for a low-range transfer gearbox and differential locks, according to Lexus technical people. In addition to cutting manufacturing costs, this helps the RX300’s power to weight ratio, aiding an on-road performance with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.2 seconds.

Ride, handling and cornering is taken care of with fully independent Macpherson strut suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes on all four wheels, with ABS.

Changes from the US specification were necessary because European driving styles and conditions involve higher sustained speeds (120-130 km/h, as opposed to 100 km/h in the USA and Japan), harder acceleration and later braking than typical in Japan or the USA. New springs, dampers and stabiliser bars to suit the European driving styles were developed, and the power steering system was ‘remapped’ to give levels of weighting, feedback and responsiveness more appropriate to European preferences.

The brake booster was also changed, to offer more pedal feel and high-speed controllability.

The Lexus RX300 for Europe has a revised NVH package with better door sealing and techniques to lessen road noise usually generated by the big wheels and tyres of a 4x4 at high speed. Some of these modifications are now being carried back into RX300s being built for the USA.

Safety technologies used include electronic traction control (TRC), a multi-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist and a Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system.

Passive safety in the rigid monocoque passenger compartment and progressively absorbent crumple zones is enhanced by a head impact protection structure built into the interior pillar trims and roof interior. Side-impact airbags are a standard part of the safety specification.

Body styling is neither overly rugged nor overly soft, aimed at being able to attract both male and female buyers. Equally, seat height is not too tall, aimed at providing ease of access not always the case in big 4WDs. From some viewpoints, the vehicle might be considered as a high quality estate rather than a typical SUV.

The interior provides expected Lexus standards of luxury, equipment and innovation. The shift lever is positioned in the centre instrument panel, freeing floor space between the seats. The central console features drawers sized for CDs, tapes, telephones and similar items.

There’s a six-speaker stereo system, with an option of a 6-disc CD auto changer located in the glovebox. An LCD screen displays audio, heating, climate control and trip computer functions.

The same screen also acts as navigation display, when the optional voice navigation system is installed.

There’s eight-way power adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats, which also have fold-down armrests. Rear seats can be slid forwards or backwards by up to 12cm to create more leg room or baggage space.

Beneath the carpeted spare wheel cover there are two covered oddment storage areas, while a third storage area is incorporated in the side trim.

So, as Lexus claims, does the RX300 offer ‘a real alternative’ to traditional SUVs or luxury sedans? Well, it’s real, all right. It IS an SUV, and it IS luxurious. Whether it matches, or exceeds, the characteristics of both kinds of vehicle will depend largely on the needs and lifestyles of individual buyers. For our part, we await a more extended test to make our own decisions.

Lexus goes off the road	November 2000
The Lexus RX300 marks ‘a new definition for the Lexus brand in Europe, a new breed of Lexus and a new breed of sport utility vehicle’. That’s the view of the marque, and no doubt their customers will tell them if they’re right. Meantime, RX300 offers levels of driving comfort and on-road performance in line with Lexus cars. "This was a prime consideration in the development of the RX300, that the luxury and comfort we are already known for would not be compromised," Mark Teevan of Lexus Ireland (right) said at the Irish launch. Lexus wanted a workhorse that was a thoroughbred. So it is built on the same platform as the GS series, but with an entirely new body. This allowed more refinement than the usual separate-chassis off-roader. RX300 does its off-road thing without the driver having to engage much with the process, because everything taking care of any difficult conditions does so completely automatically. All the acronyms - VST, TC, BA, ABS, EBD - and the 4WD power transfer mechanisms work as a computer-coached team to do the needful. There’s an Executive version, with leather, walnut, and an indispensable windscreen wiper de-icer. Prices are £49,000 and £53,500 respectively. A total of 150 units are expected to roll onto Irish roads next year. And there’s money out there for them, as Mercedes-Benz have found. The RX300 also comes on the market before the next generation Range Rover due next year. So it could well pick up market from those R-R people who don’t want to wait. And Mark Teevan suggests that quite a few existing Lexus owners will simply ‘add’ an RX to their garage. For the difficult days. The RX300 is powered by a 3-litre, all-aluminium V6 engine, featuring the highly efficient VVT-i variable valve timing system developed by parent company Toyota. It outputs 201hp, and produces peak torque from as low as 1600rpm. Suspension is all-round independent, and the RX300 differs from its original American stablemate through a number of powertrain and chassis refinements developed in Europe for European driving conditions. These include fine tuning the steering and suspension to offer greater driver response and feedback, as well as the addition of Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist. The RX300 has has been on sale in the US since 1998. It is the best selling Lexus in that market, with over 73,000 sales in 1999 and significantly more expected in 2000. In Europe, RX300 is being especially targeted at wealthy markets with leisure needs such as Switzerland, Austria and Scandinavia. Not to mention Ireland’s roaring Celtic Tigers. Maintaining luxury and sophistication has been achieved with a lot of special technology, including the use of an engine mount controlled directly by each combustion stroke of the engine. A solenoid-controlled diaphragm creates pulses which are equal but opposite to the engine's movements, to counteract vibrations. The engine is also equipped with an Acoustic Control Induction System, which adapts the intake air-passages according to the engine speed and the throttle valve opening, in order to optimise performance in all speed-ranges. Transmission is a four-speed electronically-controlled automatic matched to the four-wheel drive system, which itself features a viscous limited-slip centre differential. This automatically transfers torque when required to the wheels which have the most traction. A Vehicle Stability Control system steps in as soon as wheel spin is detected on one of the wheels. These technologies obviate the need for a low-range transfer gearbox and differential locks, according to Lexus technical people. In addition to cutting manufacturing costs, this helps the RX300’s power to weight ratio, aiding an on-road performance with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.2 seconds. Ride, handling and cornering is taken care of with fully independent Macpherson strut suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes on all four wheels, with ABS. Changes from the US specification were necessary because European driving styles and conditions involve higher sustained speeds (120-130 km/h, as opposed to 100 km/h in the USA and Japan), harder acceleration and later braking than typical in Japan or the USA. New springs, dampers and stabiliser bars to suit the European driving styles were developed, and the power steering system was ‘remapped’ to give levels of weighting, feedback and responsiveness more appropriate to European preferences. The brake booster was also changed, to offer more pedal feel and high-speed controllability. The Lexus RX300 for Europe has a revised NVH package with better door sealing and techniques to lessen road noise usually generated by the big wheels and tyres of a 4x4 at high speed. Some of these modifications are now being carried back into RX300s being built for the USA. Safety technologies used include electronic traction control (TRC), a multi-channel anti-lock braking system (ABS), with Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist and a Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system. Passive safety in the rigid monocoque passenger compartment and progressively absorbent crumple zones is enhanced by a head impact protection structure built into the interior pillar trims and roof interior. Side-impact airbags are a standard part of the safety specification. Body styling is neither overly rugged nor overly soft, aimed at being able to attract both male and female buyers. Equally, seat height is not too tall, aimed at providing ease of access not always the case in big 4WDs. From some viewpoints, the vehicle might be considered as a high quality estate rather than a typical SUV. The interior provides expected Lexus standards of luxury, equipment and innovation. The shift lever is positioned in the centre instrument panel, freeing floor space between the seats. The central console features drawers sized for CDs, tapes, telephones and similar items. There’s a six-speaker stereo system, with an option of a 6-disc CD auto changer located in the glovebox. An LCD screen displays audio, heating, climate control and trip computer functions. The same screen also acts as navigation display, when the optional voice navigation system is installed. There’s eight-way power adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats, which also have fold-down armrests. Rear seats can be slid forwards or backwards by up to 12cm to create more leg room or baggage space. Beneath the carpeted spare wheel cover there are two covered oddment storage areas, while a third storage area is incorporated in the side trim. So, as Lexus claims, does the RX300 offer ‘a real alternative’ to traditional SUVs or luxury sedans? Well, it’s real, all right. It IS an SUV, and it IS luxurious. Whether it matches, or exceeds, the characteristics of both kinds of vehicle will depend largely on the needs and lifestyles of individual buyers. For our part, we await a more extended test to make our own decisions.
by Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan.

Lexus goes off the road