Lexus NX Powers Ahead With New Turbo Engine

Price and specification announced for the new NX 200t

The early success of Lexus’s NX crossover range is set to gain extra, turbo-powered momentum with the introduction of the new NX 200t, the first model to benefit from Lexus’s new 2.0-litre turbocharged engine.

Order books are open now for the NX 200t, which will be available exclusively in F Sport trim with all-wheel drive, emphasising its more performance-oriented character. It joins the full hybrid NX 300h, which has already amassed more than 1,000 sales since being introduced late last year.

The NX 200t costs £38,095 on the road; first customer deliveries will be from mid-March.

New 2.0-litre turbocharged engine

The NX 200t is the first Lexus model to use a new 2.0-litre turbocharged direct injection petrol engine. Developed in-house, the 1,998cc unit is matched to a newly developed six-speed automatic transmission with a Drive Mode Select system.

Maximum power of 235bhp/175kW is produced between 4,800 and 5,600rpm, with peak torque of 350Nm delivered at 1,650rpm. Official combined cycle figures for CO₂ emissions and fuel consumption are 183g/km and 35.8mpg respectively.

The NX 200t uses a Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive system, which maximises traction and cornering stability, while securing the best possible fuel efficiency. According to driving conditions, up to 50 per cent of available torque can be directed to the rear wheels. Performance dampers are fitted as standard.

Full technical details will be announced later.

F Sport exterior

The F Sport’s exterior styling adds a sportier emphasis to the NX’s sharp, distinctive lines with details including a prominent, large spindle grille with a mesh pattern featuring the Lexus F-motif, and a deeper bumper with a metallic-coated lower section. The door mirrors have a black finish and the F Sport 18-inch, 10-spoke alloys have a two-tone black and machined silver finish. The wheels are shod with 225/60R18 tyres.

The presence of the petrol turbo engine means there are none of the blue hybrid accents and at the rear, the twin tailpipes are visible, with chrome-finished, trapezium-shaped outlets.

There are eight colour options, including new Sonic White, plus Sonic Titanium (currently the most popular finish for the NX 300h), Mercury Grey, Satin Silver, Celestial Black, Mesa Red, Ultra Blue and Velvet Black.

F Sport interior

The F Sport theme is further amplified in the cabin. The sports front seats are made using an injection moulding process that delivers extra lateral support and body-hugging comfort. The seats are electrically adjustable and also feature heaters and lumbar support.

The standard-fit leather upholstery is available in two colours: black or, exclusive to F Sport models, Dark Rose. Both are combined with carbon-effect trim inlays. The specification also includes perforated, non-slip aluminium sports pedals and driver’s foot brace, and the F-Sport steering wheel is wrapped in grippy perforated leather.

Equipment specification

The 200t F Sport mirrors its NX 300h counterpart in in its equipment specification.

In terms of safety, the features include Lexus’s millimetre-wave radar-controlled Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control, plus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (co-ordinating ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control and vehicle stability control operation) and eight airbags. In recent Euro NCAP crash testing, the NX proved the best-performing model in its class and secured the highest five-star rating.

Style elements include 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and illuminated door handles with puddle lights. In the cabin there are electrically adjustable, heated front seats with leather upholstery. LED technology is featured in the headlights (high and low beam), daytime running lights and fog lights (which have an automatic cornering function).

For convenience, the NX 200t F Sport provides a reversing camera, Smart Entry and push-button start, power windows, electrically adjustable steering column and power, auto-folding door mirrors. The rear seats divide and fold 60:40 and loading is made easier with a power-operated tailgate. A space saver temporary spare wheel is provided.

The eight-speaker audio system comes with a DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, CD/DVD player and a Remote Dial control, with information presented on the centrally positioned, full colour Lexus Media Display.

Equipment highlights include: –

• 18-inch alloys with two-tone finish
• Headlights with LED high and low beam functions
• F Sport heated electric leather front seats with lumbar support
• F Sport suspension with performance dampers
• Electric steering column adjustment
• Power tailgate
• Wireless smartphone charger
• LED fog lamps with cornering function
• Rear privacy glass
• Parking sensors
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
• Smart Entry and push-button start
• Integrated roof rails
• Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control
• Reversing camera
• Dual zone climate control
• Lexus Media Display with Remote Dial controller
• Eight-speaker audio system with DAB digital radio and CD/DVD player
• USB multimedia port
• 60/40 folding rear seats
• Electric, auto-folding door mirrors
• Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management
• Hill-start Assist Control
• Eight airbags
• Remote double door locking
• Speed-sensitive automatic door locking
• Rain-sensing wipers

Equipment options

Lexus NX 200t F Sport customers can build on their car’s specification with a select range of options. These include Lexus Navigation and Lexus Premium Navigation packages, the latter coming with the new Lexus Remote Touch touchpad control.

Metallic paint and a sunroof, or fixed panoramic roof can also be specified and handling and ride performance can be upgraded with the addition of Adaptive Variable Suspension.