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Lexus LF-NX gets turbocharged second act [w/video]

Don't let its supremely polarizing appearance fool you, this is not the Lexus LF-NX Concept that you (probably) had a strong reaction to when it debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The German version of the concept car featured a variant of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, while this LF-NX Turbo, well, it has "turbo" in the name, you see?
If fact, the namesake turbo would appear to be the first for Lexus; getting off the line in the forced-induction race with a 2.0T four-cylinder engine that "paves the way for the introduction of turbocharged powerplants in future Lexus models." Sounds good to us. The new turbo four has plenty of tricky tech, too. Lexus tells us that the engine makes use of an advanced high tumble port, fan spray fuel injection, VVT-iw variable valve timing, an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head and, of course, a twin-scroll turbo with active wastegate valve. The result is said to be a blown engine that offers quick throttle response and "exhilarating" performance, along with excellent fuel economy and low tailpipe emissions.
As for the rest of the LF-NX Turbo concept? Well, you've seen this angular concept crossover before, basically. There's a slightly tweaked front end and new wheels sitting in slightly cleaned-up wheel wells. The boldest-yet version of the spindle grille still bears an uncanny resemblance to The Predator, and the slightly revised exterior visuals won't change your made-up-mind about this vision of Lexus' future.

Why is there a huge bulge in 2021 Lexus IS 300 AWD's driver footwell? We explain

After an initial turn a few weeks ago for the 2021 Lexus IS first drive review, the revised luxury sedan has returned to the Autoblog garage for a second look. This middle-of-the-road IS 300 AWD pairs a 260-horsepower V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission and four driven wheels, and frankly it's the least interesting way to spec out the redesigned sedan. While there are cars in this segment designed to get a performance boost from their all-wheel-drive systems even in dry conditions, the IS isn't one of them. Adding insult to injury, you get stuck with a cramped driver-side footwell care of the engineering shenanigans that went into making this system possible.  While we've mentioned this particular compromise before, we rarely touch on the reasons why it exists in the first place. The fundamentals are fairly obvious; the standard IS utilizes a longitudinal, rear-wheel-drive powertrain. As is typical with this configuration, the transmission sits in a tunnel beneath the center console. This arrangement works just fine, provided you don't need to power the front wheels.  To do so in a traditional car like the IS requires a literal end-around maneuver involving the engine and transmission, which we've diagrammed for you below care of MSPaint. This is a bit simplified for the sake of this write-up, and it should be noted that this is not the only way to implement AWD in an inherently RWD platform, but it illustrates how the power for the front axle (red) and rear axle (blue) flows from the transmission to the drive wheels. To get juice flowing to the front axle, Lexus had to add a parallel output shaft, exiting the transmission from the front with enough clearance for the bell housing and engine, which sits between the transmission and the front differential. This requires quite a bit of lateral reach, meaning the housing has to extend much farther out than usual to accommodate it (yellow arrow). As a result, the all-wheel-drive transmission looks a lot like a sci-fi gun with a chunky drum magazine hanging off the side of it. The hump (above right) in the footwell is there to clear this protrusion. This basic configuration isn't unique to Lexus. In fact, if you look at a BMW xDrive cutaway, it's similar. So, why no "hump" in other cars? There are multiple factors, but to boil it down to what is most relevant, it's a combination of the resulting shape of the Lexus transmission housing and the size of the IS chassis.

Lexus US execs want the LF-1 Limitless concept or something like it

Many years ago, Mercedes-Benz counted many blue moons debating about and then hinting at a full-sized SUV, before the GLS-Class arrived in 2007 (known then as the GL-Class). After that, Audi and BMW each grabbed a gilded handle on The Waffler's Cup, equivocating for years about a Q8 and an X7, respectively; both of those luxurious load-haulers are expected in showrooms soon. Having seen the Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, we wonder if Lexus intends to hoe that same row - dodging years of questions about a production version of the LF-1 Limitless before finally committing. Lexus US general manager Jeff Bracken hopes that's not the case. His address to the unveil audience at the NAIAS included the appeal, "We have to build this vehicle," aimed at his boss, Lexus global chief Yoshihiro Sawa. Bracken stoked the flames of his own desire after the reveal, telling journalists, "We couldn't be happier if we turned this into a production vehicle," and, "We clearly have a gap at the high-end premium cross-utility segment." We're certain plenty of his colleagues share the sentiments, and why wouldn't they? A Lexus LS-based family functionary begs the question, "Why isn't this already a thing?" The LF-1 Limitless does fierce, futuristic service to its Ghost in the Shell design philosophy of "molten katana," and Lexus needs a proper three-row crossover. Not the three-row RX, nor the opulent, cretaceous GX and LX SUVs, but a unibody crossover to challenge the aforementioned German rivals. If Lexus really does "want to be the brand which is emotionally connected with the customer," it would do well to begin its courtship with this rose-copper gem. Related Video: Featured Gallery Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept: Detroit 2018 View 13 Photos News Source: Wards Auto Detroit Auto Show Lexus Crossover Concept Cars Luxury lexus rx lexus crossover