Lexus applies to trademark UX 300h in U.S., Europe, and Australia
The Lexus UX is coming into its fourth mannequin yr in 2023, having gone into manufacturing on the finish of 2018 as a 2019 providing. The NX and RX have these days lasted seven years earlier than a brand new technology drops, so the UX is due for a heavy refresh as a minimum. It is attainable the refresh or the next-gen model will deliver an upgraded mannequin with extra energy. Lexus Fanatic found that model mother or father Toyota filed a trademark software for the time period UX 300h in Europe, CarBuzz discovered the identical software lodged on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Workplace, and CarSales got here throughout the shape in triplicate filed with Australian mental property authorities.
As at all times, a trademark software doesn’t suggest the described product will make it to market. Nevertheless, there’s superb motive for Lexus to take the UX to the subsequent degree. The automaker pared the lineup to a single mannequin for 2023, now referred to as the UX Hybrid. The powertrain carries over from its earlier guise because the UX 250h, a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder helped by two electrical motors and a 1.4-kWh battery, making 181 system horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. Regardless of normal favor proven for the crossover’s appointments and frugality, the repeated ding in opposition to it’s feeble acceleration. The hybrid system within the NX 300h, primarily based round a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, makes 203 hp and 184 lb-ft, the horsepower determine rising to 215 hp within the ES 300h and as a lot as 220 hp within the erstwhile IS 300h, so there’s headroom if product planners are allowed to make use of it. Contemplating the 2023 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is slated to get 194 horsepower, the snazzier and luxury-branded UX would appear ripe for engine and energy upgrades.
With the up to date NX and all-new RX in the marketplace now, and the Corolla Cross Hybrid coming for subsequent yr, we cannot be shocked if Lexus would not await the second-gen UX to bolster the spec sheet.
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