Lexus RX: 2nd Generation (2004-Present)

The second part of my Lexus Body Kit Series has been posted, this time with the RX 330/350/400h.

There are some very interesting body kits for the RX, and most have the strange characteristic of making the vehicle look much smaller and car-like. I had to admit some surprise that Toyota themselves are in the game, with their Advanced and Impressive body kits.

My favorite has to be the Wald International Executive:

The vehicle barely resembles the base model, and I have a particular fondness for the replacement grille.

I was disappointed in the image quality that I found. Why these body kit manufacturers don’t have print-quality graphics, I’ll never know. I’m in contact with the manufacturers, and will be working to replace the smaller images.

Today is full of next-gen RX news, this time from Auto Express. There’s the rather swell artist rendering (shown above), along with some speculation on the spy shots released last week:

At first glance, it looks like any other RX, but close inspection reveals that the rear lights no longer sit flush with the bodywork. That’s because the panels have been widened to account for the new platform’s bigger dimensions. This added size could pave the way for an optional third row of seats, which would put the Lexus up against BMW’s X5 when it arrives in dealers in 2009.

Judging from the other set of spy shots released today, it’s hard to tell if there’s enough to accommodate a third row of seating.

Another interesting fact from the Auto Express article is that Toyota will be eliminating the Harrier name in Japan, meaning that the next-gen RX will be released as a Lexus. I wonder how the lion-man will react?

The redesigned Lexus RX, scheduled for release in 2009, has been caught on camera for the first time, but not without a healthy amount of camouflage cladding that’s very successful at keeping most of the particulars a secret.

There are a few details that can be discerned, the most obvious being the significant drop in height, giving it a more car-like appearance. It looks like the bubbly rear has been sharpened as well, though I think it’s more a result of the camouflage.

Leftlane News has a few more photos for you to pick over, let me know if you spot any other changes.

At first glace, the Mitsuoka Orochi may seem like the Japanese answer to Ferrari, but there’s an unflattering surprise under the hood, the car is powered by a Lexus 3.3-litre V6 engine. With only 231bhp and 327Nm of torque, it’s a powerplant that has no business being in a car with such wild style.

This isn’t the only letdown either, the automatic transmission sourced from the Lexus RX makes the Orochi’s supercar claim fall flat, sacrificing a more engaging driving experience for comfort.

Still, the Orochi has captured the imagination of the Japanese car-buying public, who have been purchasing the cars as fast as Mitsuoka can make them. The exterior styling can take full credit for the car’s initial success, but until something is done to improve performance, the Orochi is just a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

(For more information & photos, visit the review of the Orochi at Auto Express.)

It’s no secret that Lexus’ RX SUV is a hit with women drivers, so the fact that The Driving Woman’s review of the 2008 RX 350 is so positive really doesn’t surprise me:

The first time I drove a Lexus SUV, I was so excited that I decided to put on red lipstick at a stoplight. A mistake, for sure. The light changed and I got the lipstick smudged on the visor. At that point I decided to calm down…after all it was just an SUV. But, not just any SUV.

Bottom line: the RX 350 had enough juice to get me anywhere I wanted to go and was nimble enough to pull in and out of parking spots and heavy traffic. Another nice note: the RX 350 was engineered at the outset to accommodate a hybrid powertrain, and shares its platform with its hybrid counterpart, the RX 400h.

But what I noticed most was that car-like and quiet feeling when driving the RX 350. So, I asked one of the Lexus execs, “Why does it feel so light to drive? And he answered, “Because it’s a Lexus. Smoothness is the brand’s forte.”

More importantly, it looks like toy poodle Jack was suitably impressed, if the picture above is any indication.

WorldCarFans has scored some spy shots of next generation Lexus RX SUV, which give some hints of what to expect in the vehicle’s future.

Judging by the ill-fitting body panels and the extensive taping, the vehicle will be expanding in width and length. The cut bumpers and rear doors would indicate a shift in the front and rear axles, suggesting a longer wheelbase.

Stylistically, we’re looking at a mule using the existing (but modified) RX body panels, so there’s no real hint of any exterior design changes, with the exception of the new rearview mirrors with inset turn signals.

As for the mechanical side of things, and when to expect a redesigned RX, this is what WorldCarFans had to say:

The new RX will also likely stay with its current 5-passenger capacity, since customers wanting three rows of seats can get that in the bigger Lexus SUV’s, the GX470 and the LX 570. Base engine will probably continue to be shared with the Toyota Highlander, that now being (for 2008) a 3.5 liter DOHC V-6 making 270 hp. The Lexus will likely also continue to offer a hybrid engine, the 3.3 liter V-6 which combined with its electric motors also makes 270 hp.

Lexus will be introducing an all new LX570 for the 2008 model year, so it is likely that a new RX350 won’t be scheduled until 2009.

If you’d like to see more photos, be sure to visit the WCF site.