2015 Lexus NX200: Turbo Evoque Fighter
Lexus NX: Turbo Tearaway
Imthishan Giado
UPDATE: MotorTrend reports that the new turbo-four engine will make 235bhp and 258lb ft of torque.
Crossovers are the Jennifer Lawrence of the automotive world right now. Versatile, articulate and with a dash of ‘je ne sais quoi’, everyone wants a piece of the action. Stuck with truck-based utilities like the GX, Lexus is finally jumping into the fray with this, the all-new NX.
Thankfully, the overly aggressive lines of the concept have been toned down for the production version though it still shares the fishhook-eye-guppy-maw of the IS sedan and strangely featureless flanks. As with most modern crossovers the look works best with big 18” wheels though 17s are also available.
The big news is that this is Lexus’s first turbocharged vehicle in like, ever. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder; outputs are unspecified but if we had to make an educated guess, expect around 250bhp and 250lb of torque, right in line with arch-rival Evoque.
The turbo models will be badged NX200T and NX200T F-Sport (pictured); a non-turbo NX200 will be offered alongside the expected hybrid NX300h. It will be officially unveiled at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 20.
See more pictures of the NX200 below
When will the NX be on sale in Dubai?
[Imthishan] Most likely around March-April next year.