Granted, it's an extremely attractive design, but the concept is hardly new. It actually fits neatly into the new luxury wagon/SUV crossover category, started by Chrysler's Pacifica. Even if it were to appear in a year's time, an extremely quick incubation from concept to reality, it would fall behind the Cadillac SRX and Mercedes-Benz GST, while similar vehicles are expected from Audi and possibly even BMW. Infiniti's new FX45 bridges the gap towards a true SUV, but it's increasingly becoming a fuzzy line.
"The luxury sport utility market is growing and changing rapidly," commented Denny Clements, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager. "The HPX concept is something we think would appeal to forward thinking, affluent buyers with active lifestyles."
Furthering thoughts that the HPX is more reality than concept is the vehicle's powertrain, made up of off the shelf components. At the heart is the SC 430's 4.3-L, 32-valve, dual overhead cam V8, achieving the identical 300-hp as in the production coupe. The HPX also gets a version of the SC's 5-speed automatic transmission, no doubt as silky smooth as all Lexus gearboxes. The concept also receives the height-adjustable suspension now optional in the RX 330, so handling should be at least as good as it is in the capable new SUV.