2016 RX Stainless Panels??
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Whatever happened to this rumor? Seemed like all the mags were expecting stainless on some body panels to reduce weight, but looks like Lexus dropped it. Any ideas why? Any rumors out of Japan as to why?
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I thought it was aluminum not stainless.
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Stainless steel would make the RX so heavy ![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I'm guessing their choice to stick with steel rather than aluminum is due to cost. Aluminum would probably drive up the price of the RX at the moment due to cost of material and machinery needed to stamp it. The price for aluminum will probably eventually come down because it'll be old tech as carbon fiber starts trickling into normal, everyday cars (as seen in BMW). I bet Lexus already has invested for the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for their next generation cars.
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I'm guessing their choice to stick with steel rather than aluminum is due to cost. Aluminum would probably drive up the price of the RX at the moment due to cost of material and machinery needed to stamp it. The price for aluminum will probably eventually come down because it'll be old tech as carbon fiber starts trickling into normal, everyday cars (as seen in BMW). I bet Lexus already has invested for the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for their next generation cars.
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Stainless steel would make the RX so heavy ![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I'm guessing their choice to stick with steel rather than aluminum is due to cost. Aluminum would probably drive up the price of the RX at the moment due to cost of material and machinery needed to stamp it. The price for aluminum will probably eventually come down because it'll be old tech as carbon fiber starts trickling into normal, everyday cars (as seen in BMW). I bet Lexus already has invested for the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for their next generation cars.
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I'm guessing their choice to stick with steel rather than aluminum is due to cost. Aluminum would probably drive up the price of the RX at the moment due to cost of material and machinery needed to stamp it. The price for aluminum will probably eventually come down because it'll be old tech as carbon fiber starts trickling into normal, everyday cars (as seen in BMW). I bet Lexus already has invested for the use of aluminum and carbon fiber for their next generation cars.
Issue with carbon fiber is time. BMW is ahead of the game with being able to produce a panel quicker than anyone by a good amount. Requires large footprint and duplicates of equipment.
Everyone is going to alum due to cafe standards easiest way to shed weight and improve mpg
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