GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Lexus - NX

Lexus puts NX under microscope

Micro management: The first Lexus compact SUV, the NX, has been engineered to micro levels to minimise the many forces that can impact a car’s ride and handling.

Tiny troubles ironed out by Lexus engineers to turn NX into a smooth operator

Gallery

Click to see larger images

31 Oct 2014

THE devil was in the detail for Lexus engineers when they set about smoothing out the wrinkles of the company’s first compact SUV, the NX, in the development phase.

Items such as body shake induced by windscreen wiper movement and changes in vehicle geometry due to differences in tyre tread were studied and addressed for the utmost refinement under a system dubbed microscopic force control.

The goal was to ensure the NX – launched in Australia this week in its hybrid 300h form – is not only silky smooth in the Lexus tradition but also rides and handles with minimal fuss.

The engineers said almost imperceptible forces could impact on vehicle stability and composure, with each needing to be addressed under Lexus’ own high standards.

They re-engineered, stiffened, insulated or dampened components to ensure the smallest force was reduced or eliminated.

They spent six months painstakingly adjusting the engine mounts to suppress engine start up vibration, reducing the shaking to just one-tenth of what its parent company Toyota will accept on its cars.

Interestingly, the engineers say this smoothing of engine vibration does not just induce a more pleasant driving experience but also improves handling stability.

They say vibration from the spinning crankshaft in a transverse-mounted petrol engine can cause flex down the roll centre axis of the car, thus upsetting the road holding. By addressing the vibration, this can be minimised.

This micro work extended to vehicle rocking caused by the blast of a passing car’s “wake”, and suspension mount movement caused by poor tolerances and materials.

Engineers and designers working on the NX’s features also got into the act, coming up with items such as touch-sensitive interior cabin lights – thus removing the need for fiddly switches – and exterior door handles without visible key holes.

The latter – which are rarely used in this age of keyless entry – are hidden under the lift-up handles, providing a smoother appearance in what Lexus says is a patented world first.

Read more

GoAuto can help you buy a new NX

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Lexus models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here