In October arrives the new hybrid Lexus, NX 300 H (197 hp). Who want more power will have to wait until February 2015, when the NX 200 T appears: Opens turbo petrol engine 238 hp and six-speed automatic transmission. We tell you how it goes.

The new SUV Lexus NX -4.63 meters long follows the canons of brand design already seen in the new GS and IS, with the large front grille as diabolo, and have adopted new brand products, such as sports RC. Highlights in exterior design, in addition, door handles and large rear view mirrors. The former have a LED on the bottom that lights up when approaching the car; moreover, the bowler key is hidden behind the handle so that not seen unless tiremos thereof. Mirrors that follow the stylistic canon grill, also have Welcome leds. The exterior design of this Lexus NX takes a step up from its northern European contenders: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes GLK and Volvo XC60.

And speaking of LED. The illumination It is especially careful in the NX, with these lamps in all versions for daylight (with the typical profile and ele brand) and also for crossing and intermittent and brake. In some variants can be chosen by the beam also with this technology. In total, the NX equipped 90 leds. It can also lead autoresizing lights, which is powered by the camera’s on the windshield and detects whether a changing then long to crossover vehicle and vice versa as the road is clear approaches.

Base known, new engine

The Lexus NX 200 T, although based on Toyota RAV4 platform -with which also shares wheelbase and track dimensions in some accounts, has been developed independently, according to those responsible for the brand. Takeaki Kato, chief engineer of the NX development, says that while some elements are shared with Toyota, 90 percent of the parts are developed independently of the RAV4. Yes, the suspension geometry is almost identical in both, but in the 200 T this is a ’20 percent firmer ‘than the Toyota, explains the engineer.

And it shows as we set off and went to the open road. Without forgetting that this is a SUV on routes tacking their behavior it is good and we must insist that the car insinuate a bad gesture. That in the 4×2 variant, because in all-wheel drive performance is slightly better helped by the push at certain times of the rear axle; it can get to have up to 50 percent of torque. Both types of traction available for the Spanish market.

NX 200 T releases four-cylinder engine, Dual turbo turbine and 2 liters with a power 238 hp. The automatic gearbox of six relations, is also new and specific time for this model. Throttle response is expected for an engine of this power and, despite being turbo, when we press the accelerator decisively mechanical responds almost instantaneously.

He change it is really nice. Fast when required, but always smooth transitions. Can handled manually, either from the specific position of the lever to the left of the main rail (pushing climb gear, pulling, you reduce) right from the paddles located behind the wheel. This has an ideal size and thickness to handle a well-calibrated direction and that has not transmitted to us, as sometimes happens, false impressions about what is happening under the wheels.

Very good interior

In an internal very well designed, comfortable and with a good bill and adjustment, we found a few solutions that attract attention. One is the Wireless phone charger or other electronic devices. According Lexus is the first car in the world to ride this technology, although one of his potential rivals by price and philosophy, the Jeep Cherokee, also can ride. If your smart phone meets international protocol Qi, placing it in a compartment under the center armrest, you really increase the battery charge without plugging.

The front seats They are very comfortable, and depending on what the chosen finish-in the Spanish market will Four- can become perforated leather upholstery in two colors, with heating and ventilation. A real treat to travel. In the back we liked the possibility of electric dejection: Just press one of the buttons on the instrument panel, on the sides of the rear seats or in the trunk itself, so that the rear seatback folds in just 10 seconds buttons.

He trunk It has a capacity of 580 liters always with puncture repair kit instead of repuesto- wheel and is a little larger than those of Audi Q5 (540 liters) BMW X3 (550) Mercedes GLK (450) or Volvo XC560 (490), its main competitors.

In a car of this price category it is assumed that the quality of the materials and their adjustment in the passenger compartment streaking high, at least in the four units we could drive and were prototypes production starter. There details everywhere, as the lid of a compartment of the center console, on the back, has a mirror; or interior courtesy lights, which have no switches, but simply swiping your finger in front of the panel so that it lights up.

On the dashboard and door trim highlights especially the call Shimamoku treatment for the treatment of wood that gives a polished look but reduces reflections. This way of working wood, originating in the Yamaha pianos for stage lights do not dazzle the pianist, it also uses Lexus GS and the LS. We also liked the sound equipment available that can be two: the ‘basic’, signed by Pioneer, has 10 speakers; while the top end, 14, the initial Mark Levinson.

Spicy in the range of Lexus NX reaches from February this 200T. At the moment it is not known, although it is highly unlikely, if the 2-liter naturally aspirated engine, for example, is available for markets like Russia will also Spain.