Lexus has had a grand reveal in Dubai for its NX compact luxury crossover, a new arrival the manufacturer is calling a “smooth evolution” from its predecessor.
While there has been some massaging of the outer shell, resulting in a less pointy appearance, the main upgrade comes in the form of a newly available hybrid powertrain.
Lexus assures us that the NX has been redesigned from the inside out, though, with every exterior surface being “reimagined”.
The car has been created around a concept the manufacturer calls “Tazuna”, which is taken from a Japanese word describing a rider’s use of the reins to control a horse. In short, it follows the principle of hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, presumably indicating a significant upgrade in convenience for whoever is in the driving seat.
On the outside, the NX’s front spindle grille features a series of U-shaped blocks, and the result is a more assertive look. As we said before, the body’s general overhaul has resulted in a neater appearance. The full-width light bar at the back will be a new Lexus signature styling touch as well.
When you get inside the cabin, there are more gadgets than we’ve seen before. You have the usual driver aids, but now you get a 14-inch touchscreen for all your multimedia needs, which is a first in a Lexus.
The hybrid powertrain comprises a 2.5-litre petrol engine, combined with two electric motors. If you want to go with the traditional fossil fuel-only option, that will involve a 2.4-litre petrol engine.
Those after a bit of zip can opt for Lexus’s F Sport version, which comes with a range of extras, including a black, F mesh-pattern grille, new front and rear bumper designs, and 20-inch alloy wheels with a 10-spoke design inspired by the type used on Lexus’s LC flagship coupe.
The NX has sold more than a million units in 90 countries across the globe since its launch in 2014, so there are expectations for this new model. Few would bet against the upgraded version proving anything other than popular.
The car is available in the UAE now from Al Futtaim Lexus, with a starting price of Dh250,000 ($68,073).
Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Five healthy carbs and how to eat them
Brown rice: consume an amount that fits in the palm of your hand
Non-starchy vegetables, such as broccoli: consume raw or at low temperatures, and don’t reheat
Oatmeal: look out for pure whole oat grains or kernels, which are locally grown and packaged; avoid those that have travelled from afar
Fruit: a medium bowl a day and no more, and never fruit juices
Lentils and lentil pasta: soak these well and cook them at a low temperature; refrain from eating highly processed pasta variants
Courtesy Roma Megchiani, functional nutritionist at Dubai’s 77 Veggie Boutique
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
