Kingston, Ontario - In May, 806 Canadians bought a Lexus RX premium crossover. While it may not seem like much, this number is actually a sales record for a single month since the model's Canadian debut in 1998.
In reality, the all-new, third-generation RX has been setting records after records since arriving in dealer showrooms last February. It's arguably the company's bread and butter, especially when considering that the RX topped all premium SUVs on 2008 Canadian sales charts (followed by the Acura MDX and Mercedes-Benz M-Class). Approximately 6,000 units were sold across the country, which is more than the sales totals of the two most popular cars in the Lexus lineup -- ES and IS -- combined!
All signs point to this trend lasting for many more months. After all, the brand just launched the new hybrid variant of the RX and, based on last year, 45 percent of all units sold wore that little "h" badge. With more and more people looking to get rid of their oil dependence, the hybrid prescription will likely get renewed!
From Otto to Atkinson
The 2010 Lexus RX 450h, which replaces the old RX 400h, sports the same lines as the fully-redesigned RX 350. Yet it stands out from this gasoline model with subtle tweaks to the front grille (including chrome slats), a thin, horizontally-stretched opening under said grille, revamped fog light clusters as well as vivid blue-accented headlights, taillights and logos.
Similar to the RX 350, the hybrid variant rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (or 19 inches optionally). But unlike its predecessor, the combustion engine uses an Atkinson thermodynamic cycle instead of an Otto cycle. Therefore, it operates more like the powertrain of the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape/Fusion Hybrid.
More powerful, less thirsty!
The compression ratio has been increased from 10.8:1 to 12.5:1 and, contrary to what the name suggests, the RX 450h isn't motivated by a 4.5-liter engine but rather a 3.5-liter V6, just like the RX 350. Power is sent to all four wheels through a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel drive system. The company justifies the "450" designation by saying that output is comparable to a 4.5-liter engine's.
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| The 2010 Lexus RX 450h, which replaces the old RX 400h, sports familiar lines. |
In reality, the all-new, third-generation RX has been setting records after records since arriving in dealer showrooms last February. It's arguably the company's bread and butter, especially when considering that the RX topped all premium SUVs on 2008 Canadian sales charts (followed by the Acura MDX and Mercedes-Benz M-Class). Approximately 6,000 units were sold across the country, which is more than the sales totals of the two most popular cars in the Lexus lineup -- ES and IS -- combined!
All signs point to this trend lasting for many more months. After all, the brand just launched the new hybrid variant of the RX and, based on last year, 45 percent of all units sold wore that little "h" badge. With more and more people looking to get rid of their oil dependence, the hybrid prescription will likely get renewed!
From Otto to Atkinson
The 2010 Lexus RX 450h, which replaces the old RX 400h, sports the same lines as the fully-redesigned RX 350. Yet it stands out from this gasoline model with subtle tweaks to the front grille (including chrome slats), a thin, horizontally-stretched opening under said grille, revamped fog light clusters as well as vivid blue-accented headlights, taillights and logos.
Similar to the RX 350, the hybrid variant rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (or 19 inches optionally). But unlike its predecessor, the combustion engine uses an Atkinson thermodynamic cycle instead of an Otto cycle. Therefore, it operates more like the powertrain of the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape/Fusion Hybrid.
More powerful, less thirsty!
The compression ratio has been increased from 10.8:1 to 12.5:1 and, contrary to what the name suggests, the RX 450h isn't motivated by a 4.5-liter engine but rather a 3.5-liter V6, just like the RX 350. Power is sent to all four wheels through a continuously-variable transmission (CVT) and a standard all-wheel drive system. The company justifies the "450" designation by saying that output is comparable to a 4.5-liter engine's.
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| 2008 sales of luxury SUVs in Canada (DesRosiers Automotive Consultants). |