SYDNEY: Lexus’s new turbocharged SUV, the NX 200t, is now on sale in Australia.
Joining the $55,000 NX 300h hybrid that launched in Australia late last year, the new model’s arrival cuts the cost of entry to $52,500 plus on-roads.
As with the 300h, the 200t will be offered in four configurations and trim grades, ranging from the base 2WD Luxury to the $72,500 AWD Sporty Luxury.
And while the 300h utilises the company’s familiar 145kW 2.5 litre petrol engine and electric motor combination for power, the NX 200t boasts the first-ever application of an all-new turbocharged engine.
In NX form, the four-cylinder turbo petrol engine offers a hearty 175kW and 350Nm of torque.
All grades in the NX 200t line are equipped exclusively with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The new turbo variant’s local media drive will occur in early February, but our first overseas spin early last year revealed “a driving experience that’s almost as sharp as the exterior design”.
Fuel consumption is rated at 7.7 l/100km for the entry front-wheel-drive model, and 7.9 l/100km for the three all-wheel-drive variants.
Standard kit with the NX 200t Luxury, the entry model, includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and daytime lights, fog lights, leather-accented interior trim, ‘premium’ steering wheel and gear knob trim.
There’s also heated and power-adjusted driver and passenger seats, reversing camera and parking sensors, satellite navigation, 10-speaker audio with digital radio and automatic climate control.
Moving up to the $63,500 F Sport adds Adaptive Variable Suspension, 360-degree panoramic camera display, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, all-LED headlamps, wireless phone charger, 10-way adjustable power front seats with driver memory, heated and cooled front seats, F Sport 18-inch alloys, unique exterior and interior styling, leather-accented interior and front and rear performance dampers.
The F Sport also gets a pair of Enhancement Packs, the first adding a moon roof and 14-speaker Mark Levinson Audio system, while the second adds Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS), all-speed active cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, widescreen colour heads-up display (HUD), auto high beam, smart card key, moon roof and 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio.
For the top-shelf Sport Luxury, there’s power-folding 60:40 rear seats, PCS, all-speed active cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, widescreen colour HUD, all-LED headlamps with auto high beam, smart card key, moon roof and 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio.
Rear storage is listed at 1545 litres with the back seats folded, and 500 litres when upright.
Braked towing capacity is 1000kg across the turbo range, and unbraked is listed at 750kg.
Watch for TMR’s full first-drive review of the NX 200t to come early in February.
