Toyota Reintroduces Lexus RX-based Harrier Crossover in Japan [w/Videos]

Nissan isn’t the only Japanese carmaker which can get confusing when it comes to badging decisions in its home market. Take Toyota, for example: despite launching the Lexus brand in Japan in 2005 and gradually phasing out all Toyota-rebadged Lexus vehicles, Toyota has decided to bring back the Harrier nameplate based on the Lexus RX.

Compared to the current Lexus RX, the Toyota Harrier features different front and rear ends with unique headlights and taillights, a new grille with the harrier logo, redesigned bumpers and a different interior.

There will be two available powerplants, including a hybrid unit pairing a 2.5-liter engine to an electric motor with a combined output of 197PS (194hp). Average fuel economy is 21.8 km/l (4.6 l/100 km/51.3 mpg US) under Japan’s JC08 test cycle, while CO2 emissions are rated at 106 g/km.

Toyota will also offer a gasoline-only engine model featuring a 2.0-liter Valvematic engine with continuously variable transmission that produces 151PS (149hp). The engine can be combined with either 2WD or 4WD, while the hybrid is only offered as a 4WD model. Two-wheel drive models feature a stop & start system and deliver an average fuel economy of 16.0 km/l (6.25 l/100 km/37.6 mpg US), with CO2 emissions rated at 145 g/km.

Prices start from 2,720,000 yen ($27,330) for the base 2WD model with the 2.0-liter engine. Sales of the new Toyota Harrier begin in Japan on December 2, with the hybrid model to follow on January 15, 2014.

By Dan Mihalascu

PHOTO GALLERY

VIDEO

Lexus Introduces New RX 450h Advance Model with Styling and Equipment Updates in the UK

I never understood the reasoning behind announcing a new model without providing adequate photos, and this seems to be a prevailing trend among many automakers. The same applies to Lexus that has released a new version of its RX 450h hybrid SUV named "Advance" in Britain.

From the single, low quality photo, we see that the SUV sports a new grille and bumper design combining the bottom half of the F-Sport model's honeycomb grille with the regular model's upper grille.

It also gets LED headlight units with Lexus' I-AFS auto-adaptive system and new seven-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels, plus the choice of either a fixed panoramic roof or an electric sunroof.

Other standard features include Smart Entry and Start; dual-zone climate control; leather upholstery; heated, eight-way adjustable front seats; heated, auto-diming and folding door mirrors, automatic windscreen wipers; rear privacy glass; and an infotainment system with navigation, 12-speaker audio pack, DVD player (single disc) and DAB tuner.

Under the hood, there are no changes with the full hybrid powertrain linking a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine to a pair of electric motors producing a combined output of 295-horses, for zero to 62mph (100km/h) acceleration in less than eight seconds and combined cycle figures of 44.8mpg UK and 145g/km.

Pricing in the UK starts at £48,495.

PHOTO GALLERY

Lexus' Global Hybrid Sales Cross Half-Million Milestone

Cumulative worldwide sales of Lexus hybrid vehicles broke the half a million mark at the end of November 2012, the company announced today. This milestone was reached seven years after the market introduction of the brand's first hybrid model, the RX 400h in 2005.

Tesla Working on All-Electric Toyota RAV4 and Lexus RX Prototypes

Electric car partners Toyota Motor Corp. and Tesla Motors will develop battery-powered prototypes of the Japanese automaker's Toyota RAV4 and Lexus RX crossovers according to a news report from Businessweek citing "a person familiar with the matter". Toyota declined to confirm the models.

Earlier this month, a Tesla executive announced that the maker of the electric Roadster will deliver two EV prototypes to Toyota by the end of July, without providing any specific details about the cars.

Toyota and Lexus Hybrids Recalled Over Stalling Issues

A problem with the electronics of the hybrid system, which could cause certain Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUVs to lose power or stop running, is the reason behind the Japanese carmaker’s latest recall.
Toyota said about 45,500 Highlander Hybrid and 36,700 Lexus RX 400h vehicles from the 2006 and 2007 model years sold in the USA are affected by the voluntary recall.

Trapped Accelerator Pedals Come to Haunt Toyota and Lexus Again, 2.12 Million Vehicles Recalled in the USA

The Toyota Group may be off the hook over suspicions of unwanted sudden acceleration caused by software-driven throttles after the findings of the NHTSA-NASA study, but the Japanese automaker is once again making headlines over trapped accelerator pedals. Today, Toyota announced that it will conduct a voluntary safety recall of approximately 2.12 million vehicles in the United States to address accelerator pedals that could become entrapped in floor mats or jammed in carpeting.
More specifically, Toyota is recalling approximately 20,000 Lexus GS 300 and GS 350 All-Wheel Drive vehicles from the 2006-2007 model years to modify the shape of the plastic pad embedded in the driver’s side floor carpet. According to the company, if the floor carpet is not properly replaced in the correct position after a service operation, it is possible that the plastic pad embedded into the floor carpet may jam against the accelerator pedal and keep it from returning to the idle position.

China's BYD Debuts Lexus RX-Inspired S6DM Dual-Mode Hybrid at Detroit Motor Show

Chinese automaker BYD marked its fourth consecutive appearance at the North American International Auto Show with the world premiere of the S6DM hybrid, with the DM in the name standing for "Dual-Mode".
The gasoline-electric hybrid is based on the Chinese firm's S6, a mid-size SUV model first introduced at the Shanghai Auto Show in 2009. And no, you're not the only one to find the overall styling of the S6 reminiscent of the previous generation Lexus RX.

Lexus UK Winters-up RX 450h with New SE-I Special Edition

A new special edition model has been added to the UK range of the Lexus RX450h hybrid crossover. Named the SE-I, the new model sports a host of accessories said to be suited for those "who love the great outdoors" - always according to Lexus.
On the outside the so-called Lifestyle model adds roof rails and a rear bumper protect, plus front and rear under-run plates. Interior features of the package include a tough boot liner, claimed to be designed to cope with muddy boots, and a warm / cold storage box.

Lexus bringing Five Customized Hybrids Plus CT 200h F-Sport to SEMA Show

Hitting the SEMA Show floors next week will be an array of customized Lexus hybrid models. The Japanese firm's lineup in Las Vegas will include the RX 450h SUV tuned by Paul Tolson, a race-spec GS 450h sedan, the VIP Auto Salon-prepped HS 250h sedan and two modified LS 600h L limos.

Lexus will also show off the CT 200h F-Sport concept fitted with 18-inch wheels shod in Pirelli P-Zero Nero 225/40 tires, a big brake kit with cross drilled rotors and an adjustable sport suspension. Full details and pictures after the break.

New Toyota Recall, this time for Toyota Avalon and Highlander, and Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350

Toyota has announced a voluntary recall of some 740,000 vehicles in the United States to address a potential leak problem with a seal in the brake master cylinder. The models that are being recalled in the U.S. are the 2005-2006MY Toyota Avalon, 2004-2006MY Highlander (non Hybrid) and Lexus RX330, and 2006 Lexus GS300, IS250, and IS350. Another 600,898 vehicles were recalled in Japan and approximately 200,000 in China for the same issue.

2010 Lexus RX SUV Photographed Undisguised

The new Lexus RX is proving to be one of the worst kept secrets of the automotive-industry this year. In less than two weeks time after the vehicle's official brochure was leaked a new set of photos that appear to have been shot with a camera phone made their way into the web-o-sphere. On the outside, the Japanese firm's new proposal in the luxury SUV segment sports a sort of blink-and-miss-it evolutionary styling. The interior however is another story as it has been completely revised featuring a more contemporary design. There's also talk about a 7-passenger, long-wheelbase version but this is something has not been officially confirmed.


Tech details are also thin on the ground, but the Japanese-market brochure makes word of the RX350 and the RX450h meaning that the latter may get a more powerful V6-hybrid drivetrain than the current RX400h.

According to our sources, the third-generation Lexus RX will break cover at the forthcoming Los Angeles Auto Show on 21 November with sales set to commence in the first half of 2009.

2010 Lexus RX SUV Brochure Leaked into the Web!

The official Japanese brochure of the all-new 2010 Lexus RX has somehow found its way into the internet giving us our first glimpse of the luxury SUV that is slated to make its world premiere at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show in November with sales expected to begin in the first half of 2009. From what we can tell by looking at the pictures from the scanned brochure, Toyota Lexus seems to have maintained the current RX's crossover-ish silhouette adding a few modern design elements to the mixture like the sculpted lower parts of the doors and a new front grille. Inside it appears that the Japanese automaker has completely overhauled its luxury crossover model which now features a more stylish dashboard with a swoopy-looking center console. -Continued


Details are still scarce as we speak, but in what concerns the Japanese market at least, the next generation RX will be offered in two guises, the petrol-only RX350 and the petrol-hybrid RX450h.















Via: Autospies