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Yamaha Motor will supply its unique chassis damping component the Performance Damper for use in the new LEXUS NX (F SPORT). LEXUS NX is the first compact crossover SUV by LEXUS. The Performance Damper is a chassis damping component that is set in the structural areas of both the front and rear of vehicles. It is a device that controls and absorbs minute distortions and vibrations. When the chassis is in motion, it limits dynamic distortion to just a few microns. A metal vehicle body has elastic characteristics and lacks damping force, meaning that external distortion energy is accumulated and released almost unchanged, repeating the cycle of distortion at a natural frequency.
The Performance Damper adds a damping element to the chassis that absorbs distortion energy and releases it as heat. This curbs the chassiss excessive distortion speed, not only boosting driving comfort at normal speeds, but also achieving both high mobility and excellent stability at high speeds, which are accompanied by relatively major chassis distortion. The NX is the fourth LEXUS model to be fitted with Yamaha Motors Performance Damper following its successful implementation in the LEXUS CT200h (Version L/C, F SPORT), RX450h/350 (F SPORT) and HS250h.
From my experience with the RX F-Sport, despite a stiffer suspension from the shocks and springs, the drive is very smooth on minor road imperfections - a testament to the performance dampers contributing to the smooth ride!
TOKYO (Aug. 1, 2014) — Toyota Motor Corp.’s Lexus brand has selected Yokohama BluEarth and Geolandar tires as standard and optional OE fitments on the 2015 Lexus NX premium crossover SUV, according to Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.
Lexus will fit BluEarth E51 and Geolandar G91 radials in size 225/60R18 100H and Geolandar G91 in size 225/65R17 102H to the NX, the brand’s “luxury-utility crossover” that goes on sale in North America this fall.
According to Lexus, the 225/65R17 fitment is the standard, with the 225/60R18 as the option on the premium/luxury models. Lexus also is offring a 235/55R18 summer tire for the F Sport model.
All tires are fitted to alloy wheels designed to evoke “exotic sports cars” rather than SUVs, Lexus said.
The Lexus NX debuts in two versions: the NX 200t with a turbocharged 2-liter, 235-hp four-cylinder engine; and the NX 300h hybrid with a 2.5-liter, 194-hp four-cylinder and a transmission with a kick-down function. Both models offer Lexus’s all-weather drive.
The BluEarth E51 is considered one of Yokohama’s best fuel-efficient tires, and the Geolandar G91 is a CUV-tuned version of the tire make’s Geolandar SUV line. The G91 incorporates BluEarth fuel-efficiency technology.
Some additional nice features/details of the NX. Notice the "Theatre-Style" rear seating which results in excellent thigh support and outward visibility for rear passengers.
Some observations on this 12-page NX brochure for Canadian market
1. No US-spec bumper for the regular NX is ever shown in the brochure -- does it mean Canadian gets the other bumper for regular NX? There is a regular NX300h with non US-spec bumper shown on page 7.
2. Unless it is a typo -- F-Sport NX does not have the 3-LED/premium headlamp available
3. It appears to be a simplified brochure as only exterior colours are shown. No interior colours or door trim options.
Some additional nice features/details of the NX. Notice the "Theatre-Style" rear seating which results in excellent thigh support and outward visibility for rear passengers.
Hey CorradoMR2, to add more to the interior details you provided -- taken from the real printed 60-page NX brochure from Lexus Japan, gift from my friend in Japan.
Note the side of the rear seat has a pad which rests the seat belt without scratching the plastic -- -- the pad is on the left hand side in the pictures. Sorry for the crappy pictures
This picture is also available from Lexus.jp but the picture has been trimmed which removes this interesting detail.
AndlyL, I like the pad - nice find. I wonder if it will come to N.A. since the pre-production models tested here don't appear to show it.
Actually I just noticed the pad in another picture -- probably from the Vancouver test drive. So I bet the pad will appear here. It is just the matter of how you shoot the picture. I am sure most photographers/test driver reviewers miss them as they bang the seat belts when they get out of the rear seats. This kind of details is mostly appreciated by someone who cares about refinement inside a car. Or they are not an actual soft pads. Maybe it is my wrong interpretation. Time will tell.
Detailed video review of NX from Taiwan (that shows the size of wireless charging)
This is a popular car channel from Taiwan on Youtube named "GO! Car Talk" and it is on NX 300h this time. The spoken language is Mandarin Chinese, titled is "Showing the real strength of NX on racetrack".
For english-speaking readers --- portions of video which are worth watching ---
1. While most of the details are previously available from other sources, this is the first time I see a 5.5" phone fits perfectly on the Q wireless charging slot which is a good sign for great phone compatibility.
Just scroll to the time 13.29 and you will see the shots.
2. Panoramic video monitor and the button "VIEW"
Just scroll to the time 15:28 -- 16:06
Another thing is it confirms the incompatibility of the dynamic radar cruise control in Taiwanese market due to frequency issue which was previously mentioned by some other member here.