The turbo drivetrain likely will account for up to 85 percent of U.S. sales, Lexus International Executive Vice President Mark Templin predicted. "In the U.S., they want fun to drive, a little more power," he said.

Unlike other solutions in the market today, Clari-Fi does not simply add equalization and boost bass, or focus only on leveraging high-resolution file formats on a proprietary device. HARMAN’s approach with Clari-Fi analyzes digital audio signals in real time and rebuilds them during playback. It does not mask the effects of heavy compression by adding new effects, but instead uses an algorithm to put back what is lost during the compression process. The result? High-quality audio from compressed digital files from any playback source – including the car.

“Consumers today demand that their cars function as a place where they can stay connected to their digital lives,” said Thilo Koslowski, Vice President and Automotive Practice Leader, Gartner. “As vehicles continue to offer greater connectivity and streaming capabilities, the use of digitalized audio formats will rise and with it consumers’ desire for unprecedented in-vehicle audio experiences.”

The Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System in the Lexus NX incorporates Clari-Fi technology across 14 speakers in 12 locations, carefully designed and located strategically throughout the vehicle cabin, to create an optimum listening experience. Powered by a 12-channel ML5 amplifier, the 835-watt audio system delivers the highest quality audio experience to driver and passengers alike.

The 2015 Lexus NX equipped with the available Clari-Fi-enabled Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound Audio System is expected to launch in Asia and Europe later this year. Clari-Fi technology is already featured in HARMAN’s JBL Authentics Series wireless home entertainment sound systems and will be incorporated into a range of Home, Multimedia, and Automotive products in the coming year.

Lexus has presented its all-new 2015 NX at the 2014 Beijing Auto Show, and that means we have all the specs for the compact crossover, including those of the turbocharged model, Lexus’s first force-fed car. The 2015 NX launches with two powertrain options here in the U.S., one of them the turbo (NX 200t) and the other a hybrid (NX 300h). A third option that we miss out on is naturally aspirated (NX 200).

The NX 200t comes powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a six-speed automatic and drives either the front wheels or all four.

The NX 300h features the same powertrain found in Lexus’s 2015 RC 300h. It combines a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine running an Atkinson cycle with an electric motor, and also comes with the choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Peak output for this model is 194 horsepower.

Underpinning the NX is a modified version of the platform found in the Toyota RAV4, although the Lexus benefits from a comprehensive package of reinforcements. These include additional bulkheads and spot welding, suspension braces, and the use of special body adhesive, laser-screw welding and high-rigidity glass adhesive. This helps to improve rigidity, which in turn improves handling. Opt for the car’s F Sport package and you’ll get performance dampers to further enhance handling.

Tech features on the NX include a wireless charging tray, a touchpad interface, adaptive cruise control, pre-collision safety systems, and additional warning systems for blind spots, cross traffic and lane departure. The NX also comes with Lexus’s first G sensor display. For audio buffs, the NX’s available Mark Levinson sound system comes with 14 speakers and a new technology from Harman called Clari-Fi. This is said to improve the quality of music files that have been digitally compressed.

Sales of the 2015 Lexus NX begin this fall.