How much do you pride yourself in multitasking? It’s a skill that’s arguably useful in the workplace, but not when it comes to driving. Luxury automaker Lexus thinks so too, which is the reason behind its latest video titled Driving Disrupted.
Lexus Driving Disrupted video
Many motorists think that they’re saving time by attending to other things while sitting behind the wheel, including the seemingly harmless act of glancing at a text message on a mobile phone. People grossly underestimate the time it takes for them divert their glance from the road just to check for an incoming message.
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it takes an average of 4.6 seconds to send or receive a text message while driving. At a vehicle speed of almost 90 km/h, that’s the time it takes to travel the length of a standard football field.
Less than five seconds may not seem like a lot, but when you're driving at speed, it's too long
Lexus wanted to challenge the notion that checking messages while driving was no big deal, so it outfitted one of its NX compact crossovers with electrochromic film that completely obscures the windshield and windows for 4.6 seconds. Then it invited several people to try out the vehicle on a special course, under the pretext of a regular test drive. Prior to taking the wheel, practically all of them admitted to glancing at their phones while driving.
Drivers initally had a blast driving the NX through the special course
The run started out smoothly, with each participant deftly maneuvering the modified NX between the cones and avoiding obstacles. Not surprisingly, when the electrochromic film was suddenly engaged, the drivers were caught completely unaware and panicked. They ended up running over representations of crossing pedestrians, cyclists, animals, even walls. Asked if it was any safer to do so in their own cars, the participants realized how dangerous it was to be distracted, even for a short period, in everyday driving.
Panic ensued when the glass suddenly switched from transparent to opaque for 4.6 seconds
This is especially significant in the Philippines, considered as the text capital of the world due to widespread access to mobile phones. Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act lapsed into law in 2016, to reduce the number of road accidents by prohibiting the use of mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle.
Road crash statistics by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority reveal 31,811 accidents in the country’s capital between January and August 2020. On EDSA, at least 105 accidents involving concrete barriers were reported as of September 2020, with distracted driving listed as one of the common causes.
This could have ended very differently had it been an actual concrete wall
There’s simply nothing more important than safety every time you take the wheel, whether for yourself, your passengers, or other road users. Make sure your mobile phone is nowhere within reach while you’re driving. If you think that the message is urgent enough, pull over at a safe spot first before reaching for your phone. Remember, a momentary lapse in judgment can lead to a lifetime of regret.
You won’t be distracted from our motoring updates at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Lexus NX 2024
The 2024 Lexus NX is a 5-seater compact luxury crossover that recently got a major update earlier in 2021. It is available in the Philippines in three variants, with a price ranging from Php 3,518,000 to Php 4,778,000. Under the hood, the vehicle is available with two engine options. Firstly, the NX 350h variants use a 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine with two electric motors, producing 237 horsepower and 239 Nm of torque. Meanwhile, the top-spec 350 F Sport comes with a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine good for 276 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. As for the transmission, the top-spec variant has an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the non-F Sport trims benefit from a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Dimensions-wise, the NX measures 4,660 mm long, 1865 mm wide, and 1,670 mm high, with a minimum ground clearance rated at 195 mm. Locally, this compact crossover is competing against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, BMW X3, and Audi Q5.
>>> New and used Lexus NX 2024 for sale in the Philippines
Lexus NX Launch
The Lexus NX was initially launched at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 20, 2014. Sales in other parts of the world including the Philippines began in the last quarter of the same year. In early 2022, Lexus Philippines introduced the all-new version of its compact crossover.
Lexus NX Exterior
All variants of the Lexus NX measure 4,660 mm long, 1865 mm wide, and 1,670 mm high, with a minimum ground clearance rated at 195 mm. Its athletic body is designed with sharp and contemporary details that successfully merge with a luxurious vibe.
The brand's signature spindle grille on the NX is now more upright, which Lexus claims to add improved cooling to the engine. With this, the new grille not only provides a more aesthetically appealing finish but also efficiency.
Lexus NX Interior
Inside, the Japanese marque integrated the Tazuna cockpit design. This type of design language allows the dashboard layout to be driver-oriented, making the shift lever, air-conditioning controls, and touchscreen easier to reach for the driver.
Other interior features include leather seats, automatic climate control, auto-dimming and heated driver’s side view mirrors, a power-folding rear seat, a power tailgate, ventilated front seats with electronic power adjustment, a power tilt and telescopic steering column, and a panoramic sunroof.
Lexus NX Technology & Safety Features
Providing entertainment, information, and other important driving details is a 9.8-inch multi-information screen. For a larger screen, the Premier and F Sport variants are equipped with a 14-inch touchscreen with a 17-piece Mark Levinson surround sound system.
All variants of the crossover now come standard with the Lexus Safety Sense, the brand's advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). This safety tech offers dynamic radar cruise control, a pre-collision system, adaptive and automatic high beams, lane trace assist, and lane departure warning.
Platform & Chassis
All variants of the Lexus NX are built with a MacPherson Strut suspension at the front and a Double Wishbone at the rear. Braking power is assisted by ventilated discs for all four wheels.
Engine & Drivetrain
The Lexus NX 350h and 350h Premier run using a 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine with two electric motors. It is capable of producing 237 horsepower and 239 Nm of torque. Only a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is available for the two variants.
On the other hand, the Lexus NX 350 F Sport boasts a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 gasoline engine good for 276 horsepower and 430 Nm of torque. To enhance the performance, the said engine is paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
All NX variants utilize an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.
Available colors for the Lexus NX are White Nova Glass Flake, Heat Blue Contrast Layering, Celestial Blue Glass Flake, Terrane Khaki Mica Metallic, Blazing Carnelian Contrast Layering, Madder Red, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Black, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Quartz, and Sonic Chrome.
In comparison to rivals such as the BMW X3 2024 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, the Lexus NX is one of the most affordable compact luxury crossovers in the market with a starting price of Php 3,518,000.
Lexus NX 2024 Price List
| Variants | Price |
|---|---|
| Lexus NX 350h | ₱3,518,000 |
| Lexus NX 350h Premier | ₱4,718,000 |
| Lexus NX 350 F Sport | ₱4,778,000 |
Lexus NX Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sportier and sharper design
- Quiet and refined ride
- Good fuel efficiency with the hybrid powertrain
Cons
- Massive price bump over the outgoing model
Lexus NX FAQs
1. Is a Lexus NX worth it?
Yes, the Lexus NX is a good car to buy. The NX is a luxury compact SUV with a spacious and premium interior, comfy seats, and a wealth of active safety features.
2. What are the Dimensions of Lexus NX?
The dimensions of Lexus NX are 4,660 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height.
3. How much does a Lexus NX 2024 cost in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, the price of Lexus NX ranges from 3,518,000Php to 4,778,000Php, depending on variants.
4. Which Lexus NX Philippines color is best?
It’s difficult to tell which color is best since this depends on each one’s preference. However, Lexus NX White Nova Glass Flake and Black seem to be a popular choice.
5. What is the engine of the Lexus NX?
The Lexus NX gives users a 2.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine.
₱ 3,348,000 - ₱ 4,688,000
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