Could 300 PS Lexus NX plug-in hybrid arrive in PH?
All-new Lexus NX coming to Thailand soon with PHEV powertrain
We already know that Lexus Philippines will launch the all-new NX this December. The company is even accepting pre-orders for the next-generation crossover to give interested customers a head start on the new model.
So far, Lexus has been quiet about the variants or engines that will be available for the crossover. Over in Thailand, however, one of the powertrain options for the NX will supposedly be a non-turbocharged four-cylinder. But what exactly will that engine be?
According to our friends over at headlightmag, Lexus Thailand will launch the 2022 NX by the end of November. Scheduled to debut at the 2021 Thailand Motor Expo, the Thai-spec crossover will come with a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain.
Dubbed the A25A-FXS, the NX 450h+ PHEV uses a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine assisted by two electric motors. One motor powers the front axle and produces 182 PS with 270 Nm of torque, while the other unit drives the rear axle and puts out 54 PS with 121 Nm of torque.
Combined, the entire system generates 304 PS along with a meaty 450 Nm of torque. Instead of an eight-speed automatic, the plug-in hybrid will be connected to an e-CVT with an E-Four all-wheel-drive.
Since the Thailand-spec model reportedly comes with a plug-in hybrid, does this mean it will be the same for the Philippine market NX? It's very possible.
If we look at the current NX range in the Philippines, it's available with either a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four dubbed the NX 300 or a 2.5-liter hybrid engine called the NX 300h. Once the all-new NX arrives, the 2.0-liter turbo will likely be replaced by the new 2.4-liter turbocharged engine named the T24A-FTS. Meanwhile, the 2.5-liter hybrid could be carried over and be accompanied by the new 2.5-liter PHEV.
Do you think the PH-spec 2022 Lexus NX will come with all three engines? Or will there only be one turbocharged model and one hybrid variant of the crossover when it arrives in the country? Let us know in the comments.
