Whatever happened to this rumor? Seemed like all the mags were expecting stainless on some body panels to reduce weight, but looks like Lexus dropped it. Any ideas why? Any rumors out of Japan as to why?

 

I thought it was aluminum not stainless.

 

Your right - my mistake. I meant to say "Aluminum."

 

Stainless steel would make the RX so heavy

I'm guessing their choice to stick with steel rather than aluminum is due to cost. Aluminum would probably drive up the price of the RX at the moment due to cost of material and machinery needed to stamp it. The price for aluminum will probably eventually come down because it'll be old tech as carbon fiber starts trickling into normal, everyday cars (as seen in BMW). I bet Lexus already has invested for the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for their next generation cars.

 

Aluminium is used in the rear hatch as well as the doors

 

I read the aluminum is used on the hood and rear hatch, not the side doors. n'est pas?

 

Roger that Roger

 

Incorrect. Hatch and hood are aluminum.

 

Machinery used to stamp it is the same. Simply modify some existing equipment.

Issue with carbon fiber is time. BMW is ahead of the game with being able to produce a panel quicker than anyone by a good amount. Requires large footprint and duplicates of equipment.

Everyone is going to alum due to cafe standards easiest way to shed weight and improve mpg

 

Hmm... I thought we already answered that. Try reading the 2 posts above yours.

 

All good. You just stated that you read that information. Just clarifying it is as fact.