March 19^th, 2003

  RX330 a luxuriously refined 4WD

LEXUS will unveil its new RX330 luxury sport vehicle at the Adelaide Motor Show from April 2.

On sale in Australia for the first time in mid April, the RX330is the new generation of the model that has been the US's top selling luxury sport vehicle for the last four years.

Featuring distinctive cross-over styling, including a coupe-like window profile and raked tailgate, the RX330 will combine with LX470 to give Lexus Australia a two-pronged attack on the buoyant prestige four-wheel-drive segment.

RX 330 was designed to take the luxury sport vehicle concept to a new level, according to Lexus Australia senior manager, John Roca, who said it achieves luxury sedan levels of refinement.

“Particular attention has been paid to the trademark Lexus quality of low interior noise levels,” said Mr Roca.

“That attention to detail in noise reduction began at the design stage - to eliminate noise at the source.

“The body, engine, driveline and even the routing of the exhaust pipes under the vehicle were all designed to maximise refinement and minimise noise.”

Widely credited with creating a new category of car-based, luxury sport vehicles when it was launched in Japan and the United States in 1998, the RX330 is designed to combine the refinement of a traditional luxury car with a high driving position and versatility.

Its all-alloy 3.3-litre Quad Cam V6 engine, equipped with intelligent variable valve timing (VVT-i) and an electronic drive-by-wire throttle, qualifies as an Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle in the United States.

It is matched to a five-speed electronically controlled multi-mode automatic transmission with gated shift and a sequential mode.

The advanced four wheel drive system uses vehicle stability control hardware and software to control torque distribution to the four wheels.

Safety features of the RX330 include multi-stage SRS airbags, an innovative side airbag system and an equally innovative driver's knee airbag.

RX330 also has a versatile 40/20/40 split multi-adjustable rear seat and power-closing tailgate.

Active safety features include vehicle stability control, active traction control and the availability of a rear view camera and satellite navigation screen for reversing assistance.

RX330 features also include the availability of touch-screen satellite navigation, multi-function display and an 11-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.