[avocado]

Found this article http//:www.carbuyer.com.sg/news/405-lexus-nx-for-november-launch

Says that hybrid coming first and turbo version will launch in 2015, since production for the new engine will begin in Japan at that time. This may confirm why other articles say the turbo version will not be available until early 2015.

If this is true, do you think it is a mistake not to introduce both engines at the same time and will this affect your buying plans?

 

[mojo]

Found this article http//:www.carbuyer.com.sg/news/405-lexus-nx-for-november-launch

Says that hybrid coming first and turbo version will launch in 2015, since production for the new engine will begin in Japan at that time. This may confirm why other articles say the turbo version will not be available until early 2015.

If this is true, do you think it is a mistake not to introduce both engines at the same time and will this affect your buying plans?

I personally don't care, there is no immediate need for me to rush out and spend $40K, however the strategy is brilliant on lexus' part. Electricity/Hybrid is the new luxury, the target demo for the NX (especially the 300h) already feels like hybrid/electric assuages collective guilt about consuming hydrocarbons (not exclusively, there will be many who crunched the numbers and are making a money saving decision), so LExus gets two birds stoned at once.

Give the target demo what they crave (soothing of guilt) and reinforce their progressive natures (its luxury and its good for the enviro)

If you're still with me after that soupyness, from lexus' perspective they get to maximise the transaction prices on pent up demand for their newest SUV. Win-Win, Lexus makes a buck, the demo is validated.

 

[Kennedy]

Pushing hybrid models is likely what they want to do, so launching this turbo model after helps that

 

[Thai]

I personally don't care, there is no immediate need for me to rush out and spend $40K, however the strategy is brilliant on lexus' part. Electricity/Hybrid is the new luxury, the target demo for the NX (especially the 300h) already feels like hybrid/electric assuages collective guilt about consuming hydrocarbons (not exclusively, there will be many who crunched the numbers and are making a money saving decision), so LExus gets two birds stoned at once.

Give the target demo what they crave (soothing of guilt) and reinforce their progressive natures (its luxury and its good for the enviro)

If you're still with me after that soupyness, from lexus' perspective they get to maximise the transaction prices on pent up demand for their newest SUV. Win-Win, Lexus makes a buck, the demo is validated.

Remember, most folks who buy Lexus Hybrid are educated professionals who have a brain. They are different than classical Prius tree-huggers that you seem to throw together there in your post. Most of these professionals choose Lexus Hybrid because of the fuel savings AND luxury or that the hybrids usually come with the most options. I doubt many of them would rank saving the environment at the top of the list. The same will be for the NX Hybrid. Soothing of guilt?

Hmmm...not sure about this proposed strategy/explanation. Why?? Look at their competition. GLA, Macan, X3/4, Q3, RDX, etc...are all sporty and fast. Germans traditionally release their sport model FIRST, then their (slower) diesel models come later...to pacify the economy-minded folks (who make up the MINORITY in this class).

Nothing makes a young professional (Lexus NX's target demographics!) run over to the Germans faster than transmission whine from CVT, artificial brakes, and 9.0+ seconds 0-60.

IMO, releasing the hybrid first is due to technical setback of some sort of the turbo engine. This may take folks who were shopping for RX hybrid away and put them into the NX Hybrid. But, i doubt that it will attract anyone who has already visited an Audi or BMW dealership.

IMHO, this is a huge setback for Lexus. When attracting young folks, you do NOT release the slowest model first! And one that may cost a pretty penny at that!

 

[mojo]

Remember, most folks who buy Lexus Hybrid are educated professionals who have a brain. They are different than classical Prius tree-huggers that you seem to throw together there in your post. Most of these professionals choose Lexus Hybrid because of the fuel savings AND luxury or that the hybrids usually come with the most options. I doubt many of them would rank saving the environment at the top of the list. The same will be for the NX Hybrid. Soothing of guilt?

Hmmm...not sure about this proposed strategy/explanation. Why?? Look at their competition. GLA, Macan, X3/4, Q3, RDX, etc...are all sporty and fast. Germans traditionally release their sport model FIRST, then their (slower) diesel models come later...to pacify the economy-minded folks (who make up the MINORITY in this class).

Nothing makes a young professional (Lexus NX's target demographics!) run over to the Germans faster than transmission whine from CVT, artificial brakes, and 9.0+ seconds 0-60.

IMO, releasing the hybrid first is due to technical setback of some sort of the turbo engine. This may take folks who were shopping for RX hybrid away and put them into the NX Hybrid. But, i doubt that it will attract anyone who has already visited an Audi or BMW dealership.

IMHO, this is a huge setback for Lexus. When attracting young folks, you do NOT release the slowest model first! And one that may cost a pretty penny at that!

You're talking about the traditional demo for the germans, things are morphing and the old playbook simply does not work that way. Lexus is pulling the value forward. Tesla has changed the game, electricity is the new luxury, sportiness is no longer relevant to the demo.

Lexus is ahead of the curve on this one. Hybrids are the new Sporty.

 

[Thai]

You're talking about the traditional demo for the germans, things are morphing and the old playbook simply does not work that way. Lexus is pulling the value forward. Tesla has changed the game, electricity is the new luxury, sportiness is no longer relevant to the demo.

Lexus is ahead of the curve on this one. Hybrids are the new Sporty.

Tesla also goes from 0-60 in 4 seconds!!!

Hybrids with buzzy transmission, soft handling, poor brake feel, and over 9 freaking seconds to 60 mph are NOT sporty. If this was the case, then the CT200h will be selling like hotcakes! Or the ILX-Hybrid will be selling like Corollas!

No, Lexus NEEDS to learn from its huge mistake with CT200h (and Acura failed ILX-hybrid)...you cannot build and sell as your main enterprise a slow a** hybrid when the competition is smoking right pass you. You think that Lexus is leading the way? Besides Prius, name me ONE Toyota/Lexus hybrid that are selling well relative to gas counterpart? Look on the Germans, name me one diesel / hybrid that is outselling their gas counterpart?

Look...any young professional will tell you...hybrids in their eyes suck. They don't care about long term savings...if that was the case, then BMWs and Audis wouldn't be everywhere, right?! (Remember, most BMW/Audi owners move onto another bimmer before factory/service warranty goes out!) If saving trees were in their scope, then CT200h wouldn't be selling as slow as Pontiac Aztec! If environmental factors were up there, then ILX-Hybrid wouldn't be dead on arrival.

Lexus has made a huge mistake in leading with 300h, esp when we may NOT even see a F-sport package on 300h!!! So to put this bluntly, Lexus will introduce a very expensive hybrid model with an ugly nose (relative to F-sport pkg), soft handling, and takes 9 seconds to get to 60. And this will sell well to the young hippies who are driving up in their BMWs and Audis? No speed, no handling, no looks and you think that it is a winning strategy to get the young kids?

I hope that i am wrong and you are right..................

EDIT: Mojo...sorry if i sound harsh...but i get sometimes passionate about cars....

 

[avocado]

I had this thought while at the gym. The factory that produced the turbo engines for all the demo NXs is probably still producing an inventory of these engines for the North American market. It makes sense for Lexus to release the hybrid first in markets where the price of gas is high because they don't have a Diesel engine for economy like other makers (and they can't get the new factory running in time to meet world demand). So The biggest market gets the turbo and hybrid and everyone else gets good fuel economy with the turbo following in a couple of months.

 

[Thai]

I had this thought while at the gym. The factory that produced the turbo engines for all the demo NXs is probably still producing an inventory of these engines for the North American market. It makes sense for Lexus to release the hybrid first in markets where the price of gas is high because they don't have a Diesel engine for economy like other makers (and they can't get the new factory running in time to meet world demand). So The biggest market gets the turbo and hybrid and everyone else gets good fuel economy with the turbo following in a couple of months.

So, the USA should get turbo the soonest because we have some of the lowest gas prices.

 

[JoeLasVegas]

So, the USA should get turbo the soonest because we have some of the lowest gas prices.

Hybrid first in Europe since there's no diesel engine option, and turbo first in places where gas is affordable.

 

[Thai]

Hybrid first in Europe since there's no diesel engine option, and turbo first in places where gas is affordable.

In the USA, we're getting Hybrid first, right? Turbo in Jan 2015.

 

[JoeLasVegas]

In the USA, we're getting Hybrid first, right? Turbo in Jan 2015.

I know, not my first day here.

 

[Thai]

I know, not my first day here.

Glad you came back, Joe...but i still don't understand your logic.

Gasoline is very affordable in USA, right? YET, we're getting Hybrid first.

Is there a place in the world that is getting 200t next month???

If not, then Lexus has a problem IMO. There is not much of a reason to release a slow version of what is supposed to be a sporty SUV to market...when the competition is doing the opposite.

 

[avocado]

I think turbo engines are being produced and headed for North America next month. It doesn't make sense to produce a small number of these engines and then shut the factory down. Buyers in NA will have a choice in Nov., but most will choose the turbo.

 

[NXfan]

I also believe the Turbo will come out first. My local dealer said I can pre-order the NX for delivery in December, but not the Hybrid. They don't have pricing either. I don't know how anyone can pre-order a vehicle, without even knowing the price of the car, or options... I guess if you really want it, you will pay whatever they charge....Not me!!

 

[Kennedy]

I also believe the Turbo will come out first. My local dealer said I can pre-order the NX for delivery in December, but not the Hybrid. They don't have pricing either. I don't know how anyone can pre-order a vehicle, without even knowing the price of the car, or options... I guess if you really want it, you will pay whatever they charge....Not me!!

If the official pre-order list isn't available, i know some dealers will have a waiting list of their own going. plus if the deposit is refundable and you have a good feeling about the vehicle.... why not. At worst you wasted some of your time. At best... you avoided waiting a while to get yours and ended up loving the vehicle.

 

[PapaT]

Tesla also goes from 0-60 in 4 seconds!!!

Hybrids with buzzy transmission, soft handling, poor brake feel, and over 9 freaking seconds to 60 mph are NOT sporty. If this was the case, then the CT200h will be selling like hotcakes! Or the ILX-Hybrid will be selling like Corollas!

No, Lexus NEEDS to learn from its huge mistake with CT200h (and Acura failed ILX-hybrid)...you cannot build and sell as your main enterprise a slow a** hybrid when the competition is smoking right pass you. You think that Lexus is leading the way? Besides Prius, name me ONE Toyota/Lexus hybrid that are selling well relative to gas counterpart? Look on the Germans, name me one diesel / hybrid that is outselling their gas counterpart?

Look...any young professional will tell you...hybrids in their eyes suck. They don't care about long term savings...if that was the case, then BMWs and Audis wouldn't be everywhere, right?! (Remember, most BMW/Audi owners move onto another bimmer before factory/service warranty goes out!) If saving trees were in their scope, then CT200h wouldn't be selling as slow as Pontiac Aztec! If environmental factors were up there, then ILX-Hybrid wouldn't be dead on arrival.

Lexus has made a huge mistake in leading with 300h, esp when we may NOT even see a F-sport package on 300h!!! So to put this bluntly, Lexus will introduce a very expensive hybrid model with an ugly nose (relative to F-sport pkg), soft handling, and takes 9 seconds to get to 60. And this will sell well to the young hippies who are driving up in their BMWs and Audis? No speed, no handling, no looks and you think that it is a winning strategy to get the young kids?

I hope that i am wrong and you are right..................

EDIT: Mojo...sorry if i sound harsh...but i get sometimes passionate about cars....

Love the discussion. I am probably in the minority but I'm in the getting ready to retire demo. I love the 300h because it will be a worry free luxury vehicle that will be ideal for road trips and great on gas over the 10+ years I plan to keep it. My last 9 year vehicle was an Infiniti M35 which has been a great car and at the time in 2006 was packed with technology as the NX is today. Frankly the acceleration numbers are not high on my list.

 

[NXfan]

If the official pre-order list isn't available, i know some dealers will have a waiting list of their own going. plus if the deposit is refundable and you have a good feeling about the vehicle.... why not. At worst you wasted some of your time. At best... you avoided waiting a while to get yours and ended up loving the vehicle.

My sales guy showed me the packages that they can order from on a sheet of paper, but he said I couldn't take it with me. From that sheet, and depending on price, I was interested in 3 of the 6 available models that could be ordered. It ranged from a Premium packaged NX to an F-sport model, didn't state which rims, what was included in the premium or platinum package (I did look up the spec sheet for the US, but it is not guaranteed) or pricing. I would have to place a $1000 refundable deposit and I would have to pre-select one of the options available. If I were just on a waiting list, then I would have done it. I just don't want to be locked into a specific specification. What we decide will be based on cost and what we can get for my money. I really like the F-sport, so if it isn't that much more, then I would get that, but also, if the "Premier" package is the same price as the premium F-Sport, then my wife wants the features instead of aesthetics.... so on, and so forth. Not looking to spend more then $45k, otherwise I have a lot of other options available.

 

[avocado]

Spoke with the Lexus dealer. It seems they will be placing orders around the third week of Oct. Turbo and hybrids will be available. Pricing still not firm.

 

[CyberDude]

Does anyone know how long it takes a vehicle that is built at the same factory where the NX is being built at to get to the US after the built date (date in which your vehicle starts production)?

 

[Kennedy]

Does anyone know how long it takes a vehicle that is built at the same factory where the NX is being built at to get to the US after the built date (date in which your vehicle starts production)?

I'm not sure what it's like in this case but i've followed a few new vehicles and have noticed that it can be around the 3 week mark