TORONTO, ON (July 7, 2014) – The 2015 Lexus NX is an all-new model and the first Lexus entry into the fast-growing luxury compact SUV segment, where demand in the global market has grown seven-fold in the past seven years. The NX features sharp, emotional styling, nimble performance and surprising interior space in a compact design to appeal to Canadian luxury drivers with active, urban lifestyles.
The all-wheel-drive NX is offered with two advanced powertrains:
· NX 300h models feature a Lexus Hybrid Drive specifically configured for this model.
· NX 200t models feature the first use of an all-new, Lexus-developed 2.0-litre gasoline turbo.
Lexus NX delivers dynamic handling and a comfortable ride, thanks to several world-first and Lexus-first electronic advancements and chassis design features.
The sharply styled NX features the boldest interpretation yet of the signature Lexus spindle grille as the centrepiece of an external design intended to appear as if it was cast from one piece of metal.
The NX features an impressive package of on-board technology, including:
· A Lexus-first Wireless Charging Tray for portable devices
· A Lexus-first touch-sensitive Lexus Remote Touch Interface with a touch pad
· A Lexus-first G sensor and boost meter in the Multi-Information Display
· Head-up Display, Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert
The NX 300h is the first Lexus to feature a kick-down function for acceleration, and a hybrid battery split into two separate pods for better weight distribution and use of space within the vehicle.
Available F SPORT editions feature more aggressive and sportier design with numerous F SPORT-exclusive details.

FIRSTS FOR THE LEXUS NX
World-firsts:
· The 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline engine with water-cooled cylinder head and integrated exhaust manifold and twin scroll turbo charger
· Pull-type outside door handles with illumination and hidden cylinder
· New touch pad type Remote Touch Interface with vibration feedback

Lexus-firsts:
· New high-visibility, low-energy LED lamps
· A rear impact-absorbing structure, which disperses offset collision energy to the main chassis members
· Full colour turbo boost meter in the Multi-Information Display.
· A Wireless Charging Tray for portable devices
· Touch switch type overhead lamp
Available rear power seat – also first in the segment – which folds at the touch of a switch.. The rear seat can be folded with one of three switches: seat side, the driver’s seat or from luggage area.

DESIGN – EXTERIOR
Exterior Styling
The NX possesses an aura of nimble agility not usually associated with an SUV, making it perfect for urban lifestyles. This quality is immediately apparent in the vehicle’s exterior styling, designed to create a cool impression on a visceral level and defined by:
· A crouching, muscular stance accented by bold flared wheel arches
· An aggressive front face, featuring a prominent Lexus spindle grille and new LED headlamps
· A sharply raked tailgate and integral spoiler, punctuated by the signature Lexus L-shaped lamp clusters featuring seamless LED lighting
· An angular, integral shape that makes the NX appear as if it was moulded from a single pour of molten steel
· Exclusive wheels to accentuate the large diameter
· 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels and available 18-inch wheels that feature a high gloss surface

DESIGN – INTERIOR
· Inspired by both the LFA supercar and the recently launched 2015 Lexus IS
· The cabin atmosphere fosters a sense of excitement
· Class-leading roominess in critical areas. (see below)

Interior Styling
Inside, the NX combines the structural character of a high-performance machine with materials and textures that provide luxury and functionality:
· The centre silver frame is strongly embedded into the instrument panel to symbolise the strength of this luxury compact SUV
· Strongly wrapped kneepads on both sides of the centre frame firmly support the driver and passenger
· Leather-wrapped metal over high-contrast metallic colours achieve visual depth and emotional appeal
· Dashboard meters and the analogue clock – a Lexus feature – have a surface texture that gives the impression of sculpted metal
· Cosmetic Screw bolts on the side of the centre console are embossed with “Lexus” – inspired by similar details in the LFA supercar
· Door trims and seats articulate the ‘sports gear’ theme. Seats have an ergonomic cross-section with an embroidered and quilted upholstery finish
· A special wood-finishing process creates a unique polished steel-like surface finish

Maximizing Interior Space
The Lexus NX achieves class-leading space advantages in critical areas:
· The distance between the front and rear hip points is a class-topping 962mm.
· The high-roof design provides exceptional head clearance.
· The luggage area is innovative and practical, with enough space to store golf bags sideways.
· Thoughtful in-cabin storage includes a 10-litre glove box, and 7.1-litre console box, console mid-tray, utility box, front and rear door pockets, and more.

ON BOARD TECHNOLOGY
The Lexus NX introduces a number of Lexus-first ideas designed to make ownership even more enjoyable.
.
· A Lexus first wireless charger in the centre console box enables charging for Qi supported devices or devices with a Qi supported accessoryA new Remote Touch Interface with touch pad is an integral part of the operation zone in the centre console. It provides on-the-move access to ancillary controls in a way that allows the driver to retain primary concentration on the road.
· A 4.2” Thin Film Transistor LCD provides a full-colour Multi-Information Display. Ambient illumination in the MID is linked to the Drive Mode Select switch and changes colour to evoke different images for each mode.
· The driver-focused cockpit is designed around the Lexus concept of display and operational zones, with tactile switches grouped for sensible, intuitive use.
· A Thin Film Transistor projects the image of the Head-up Display so it appears in the windscreen as if it is two meters in front of the driver, helping the driver to maintain focus on the road while also reading the display in the same field of vision.

Audio systems
The strong Lexus NX body and compliant suspension have provided a strong platform for its audio system:
· An 8 or 10-speaker Pioneer system with Digital Signal Processing.features A sub-woofer speaker mounted in the rear door

DRIVING DYNAMICS
The strong NX platform allowed suspension engineers to devise more responsive and supple ways to enhance performance and ride.
Innovative technology pioneered by IS is used for the NX to strengthen the panel joints. The NX introduced Lexus’ latest production technology, body adhesive to bond the panel by surface, laser screw welding to shorten the pitch from previous spot welding, high rigidity bonding to front wind shield and additional spot welding to roof and B-pillar. NX achieves high body rigidity by enhancing the jointing which is fundamental to optimal driving performance.
Suspension
NX suspension is controlled by micro parts and offers both sporty and stable drive and comfort drive for daily use.

The NX suspension system delivers outstanding sports handling characteristics while enhancing ride comfort:
· MacPherson strut front suspension with high rigidity upper supports and low-friction strut bearings. The suspension hardware includes barrel-shaped coil springs, large diameter high-rigidity wheel bearings and high damping bushings for the strut and number two lower arm mounting, all contained by a high rigidity stabilizer bar.
· At the rear a newly devised trailing arm double wishbone rear suspension separates the coil springs and damper units while also providing an unusually low floor line for an SUV that optimises agility, stability and ride comfort.

Drive Mode Select
Lexus Drive Mode Select provides integrated control of multiple systems to enhance driving pleasure and performance. Drive modes include Normal, ECO for more efficient driving, and Sport (plus, on certain models, Sport+) for more spirited driving. The NX 300h also has an EV mode.

Aerodynamics
An extensive and innovative aerodynamic package has given the Lexus NX an impressive drag co-efficient (Cd) of 0.33.

POWERTRAINS AND DRIVELINES
The NX is available with a choice of two power trains, tuned to achieve a balance of fuel efficiency, enjoyable acceleration and agile driving:
· The NX 200t features a Lexus-first 2.0-litre turbo gasoline engine, matched to a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission.
· The NX 300h features a Lexus Hybrid Drive built around a 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle gasoline engine, mated to a new continuously variable transmission with a unique kick-down feature for greater acceleration.
All Lexus NX models are equipped with all-wheel-drive:
· The NX 300h features the efficient Lexus E-Four system which uses an electric motor to drive the rear axle when required. Optimum grip, control and agility results from innovations including a pre-loaded front differential and yaw rate feedback control.
· The NX 200t features Dynamic Torque Control AWD, which instantly varies front and rear torque split between 50:50 and 100:0 for optimum traction and fuel efficiency.
The Lexus-first feature of a pre-loaded front differential ensures straight line stability and acceleration performance when the differential is under light loads and when there is a low speed difference between the left and right wheels during cornering.

Brakes
Braking control is purpose-built for each NX model:
· The NX 300h employs an electronically controlled braking system to provide cooperative control of stopping power and regenerative braking while saving on vehicle weight.
· The NX 200t has a new vacuum-operated booster to optimize brake feel and control as well as a vacuum sensor on the booster for efficient driving.

SAFETY
The new NX is fully equipped with a comprehensive package of active and passive safety technologies and systems to help drivers avoid accidents, and to minimize the effect should an accident occur.
· Safety features include Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, newly adopted cornering lamps and Head-up Display.
· The NX has a standard backup camera, front and rear fog lamps, and all the standard Lexus active safety systems: Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Antilock Braking System with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology.
· The new generation optional Adaptive Variable Suspension networks with other systems to increase braking and steering control in emergencies.
· Dynamic Torque Control on the NX 200t and Lexus E-Four on the NX 300h help maximize traction and cornering stability.
· The NX has eight airbags (including a dual stage driver’s airbag and knee airbag, dual-stage and dual-chamber front passenger airbag, front-seat side airbags and full length side curtain-shield airbags) plus the Lexus Pre-Collision Safety System.
· Front and side collision protection measures include the use of high tensile-strength steel sheet in key areas including the centre-pillar hinge reinforcement, outer rockers and roof cross members.
· Lexus NX has a comprehensive roof impact resistance structure, which disperses load when the roof is crushed, minimizing cabin distortion.
· Pedestrian protection includes an energy-absorbing structure for the hood and the fender mounting bracket as well as an impact-absorbing structure for the cowl. Energy absorbing material has been adopted in front of the bumper and under the radiator support to protect pedestrians’ legs.
· Inside, NX has energy-absorbing structures in the pillars and roof head lining. There are impact-absorbing pads in the front and rear door trim adjacent to the occupant’s lumbar region. Lexus active front seats with whiplash protection are fitted to all models.

LEXUS NX F SPORT
Major dynamic performance enhancements and unique styling cues distinguish the Lexus NX F SPORT editions. These include an even bolder new grille adding to the already aggressive face of the NX. NX F SPORT has its own high performance sports wheels, a clearly differentiated cabin, special sport seats designed to hug the occupants during high-performance driving, and an adaptive variable suspension system which allows it to perform even better.

F SPORT grille and exterior
An L-mesh grille on Lexus performance models integrates with a metallic coated lower bumper moulding to set the NX F SPORT apart. The large spindle aperture is graded from bottom to top to express the outline of the distinctive F SPORT motif.
A Lexus-first sports wheel offers a 225/60/18 10-spoke alloy that combines black paint on the lateral edges with a luminous machine-brushed finish.

F SPORT exclusive colour and interior
Inside, the NX F SPORT features unique instrumentation, an F SPORT steering wheel, special seats, pedals, gear shift and an F SPORT-exclusive interior colour of Dark Rose.
Injection-moulded quilted seats hug the occupants and are finished in exclusive F SPORT colours. Instruments are specially designed to enable sports drivers to better pick their shift points, drawing on designed developed for the LFA supercar and IS F SPORT vehicles.
Perforated non-slip aluminium pedals and driver’s foot brace provide practical assistance to sports driving.
The steering wheel leather is perforated to provide even greater feel during performance driving, while the brushed metallic gear shift lever and the scuff plate ornamentation beneath the door are exclusive to F SPORT.

Even sharper handling
Adaptive Variable Suspension is available exclusively on NX F SPORT models. AVS results in more precise steering feel and response, increasing the communication with the driver and providing improved steering feedback.
The switchable damping system is improved upon previous generations. In NX F SPORT, the damping force has been increased from its previous 9 stages to 30 stages. Suspension response time has increased by a factor of four – from 80 milliseconds to 20 milliseconds.
AVS can be switched between Normal and Sports S+ mode to provide choice between optimum ride comfort and prioritizing handling stability.

G-Monitor and boost meter
NX F SPORT introduces a Lexus-first “G-Monitor” in its full-colour Multi-Information Display.

In the NX F SPORT, the G-ball moves in accordance with the vehicle’s lateral and longitudinal forces. The MID displays the peak force in each direction. Display bars indicate the steering angle, throttle opening angle, and hydraulic brake pressure.

In the turbocharged NX 200t F SPORT, the MID provides a Lexus-first turbo-boost meter with the colour band changing in the high boost pressure range. There are also analogue displays for oil temperature and oil pressure.

The 200t's standard equipment list is long, and includes eight airbags, a backup camera, keyless ignition, 17-inch wheels and LED low-beams, DRLs, fog lights and tail lights. Stepping up to the premium package adds 18-inch wheels, a bunch of power-operated gadgets and tailgate, ventilated seats, a moonroof, heated steering wheel and ‘full’ LED headlights (i.e. both low- and high- beam). The Luxury package includes leather seats, navigation with touchpad and 10-speaker audio system, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors. Finally, the Executive package adds active cruise-control with full braking, pre-collision and lane-departure warning, a heads up display and auto-dimming high beams.

F Sport models can be equipped with two packages that not only include the unique exterior and interior accents, but get equipment levels roughly equal to the Luxury and Executive packages. In Canada, the 300h will only come one way: fully loaded in Executive trim

PRICING:
We’re still waiting for official pricing details, and Lexus reps promised they’d be competitive with the market. When pressed about rivals like the new Mercedes-Benz GLA and Lincoln’s upcoming MKC that start at $40,000, there was a quick reply about not chasing that price level. So figure $42,000 starting price, moving a couple thousand with every increasing step. Our guess is that the F-Sport will probably start at around $47,000, with the Hybrid starting from a hair under $50,000.

.