Toyota CEO Jim Lentz might have given the world a quick preview of Lexus’ upcoming compact crossover during a presentation held earlier this month.
Speaking at the annual Society of Auto Analysts Outlook Conference, Lentz briefly showed an image depicting a toned down version of the LF-NX concept that was presented in Frankfurt last September and again in Tokyo last November. Tentatively called NX, the crossover wears a more conservative version of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille and a softer front end but the concept’s chiseled silhouette appears to remain roughly intact.
Interestingly, both concepts accurately previewed the production crossover’s drivetrains. When it goes on sale, the NX will be offered with a 220-horsepower gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain consisting of a small electric motor and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, and a brand new gas-burning 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine fed with a turbocharger. Power will be sent to either the front or all four wheels via an automatic transmission.
The turbo four will be Japanese automaker’s first turbocharged engine. After debuting in the crossover, it will be gradually replace the existing 2.5-liter V6 and find its way under the hood of a wide variety of upcoming Lexus vehicles.
The crossover will boost Lexus sales around the world but company executives are not looking to catch up to German rivals.
“We don’t want to copy BMW and we are certainly not chasing BMW and Mercedes volumes. Our focus is to keep the brand very individual,” explained Richard Balshaw, the director of Lexus’ British arm, in an earlier interview with Auto Express.
Lexus is keeping its lips sealed about the crossover but we wouldn’t be surprised to see it unveiled next March at the Geneva Motor Show. Aimed squarely at the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque, the NX will go on sale across the United States and Europe next summer as a 2015 model.
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