|
Lexus’ popular RX330 luxury sport vehicle has bent the rules to achieve its
hallmark level of quietness.
The RX330, Lexus’ highest selling model in Australia, is the second
highest-selling luxury SUV in the country.
Lexus engineers began their quest for ground-breaking low levels of NVH
(noise vibration harshness) by reducing RX330’s wind noise.
After development in the Shinkansen wind tunnel in Japan - also used for the
testing of Japan’s famed bullet trains - five decibels of wind noise was shaved
in all frequencies and a coefficient of drag of 0.36 achieved.
Engineers then bent the rules of convention by designing a deliberate bend in
the RX330 driveline.
As hard acceleration is a prime source of vibration, Lexus NVH engineers
deliberately angled the front section of the driveline from engine/transmission
unit to centre differential forward by two degrees.
Under hard acceleration in the 172kW four-wheel drive, the driveline
straightens so the silky drive experience is uninterrupted.
Innovations such as this - and straightening the exhaust pipe to further
minimise resonance and noise - have won acclaim from automotive industry judges
and consumers.
Both the Lexus brand and RX330 are consistent award winners, nationally and
internationally - with Lexus recently topping JD Power’s initial quality survey
for the fourth year running.
While other luxury marques’ performance has fluctuated within the exhaustive
award system conducted by the global auto research company, Lexus remains a
regular winner.
The Lexus RX330 won Australia’s Best Luxury Four Wheel Drive 2003, as well as
being nominated for Wheels Car of the Year, 2003, and claiming Highest Ranked
Entry Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle in the 2004 JD Power Initial Quality study.
|
