By Otsile Kadiege

Last year Lexus South Africa launched the base EX grade to the UX range. Now the automaker has introduced the F Sport grade bringing the total range to 3 grades, namely Lexus UX 250h EX, UX 250h SE and now the UX 250h F Sport.

Exterior
According to the Japanese automaker, the UX is designed for modern urban motorists who seek a fresh, contemporary and dynamic take on luxury driving. The UX F Sport boasts the automaker’s signature spindle grille with an exclusive grille design featuring a vertical mesh pattern created by individual L-shaped pieces. It’s flanked by all-LED headlamps that feature L-shaped daytime running lights.

Several other items that strengthen the F Sport image include differentiated front and rear bumpers, jet-black trim on the front and rear mouldings as well as unique ornamentation on the 18-inch, five twin-spoke aluminium alloy wheels.

The UX comes standard with 3 different interior trims for customers to select from. The trim comprises Flare Red, White and F Black. In the range, there are 9 colours available for the exterior. However, unique to F Sport are the new-for-UX White Nova and Poseidon Blue.

Interior
Inside, the UX F Sport features front sports seats made with a highly supportive integrated-foaming technique first developed for Lexus F models. The digitally-rendered instrument meter features a movable virtual ring inspired by the Lexus LFA supercar. A leather-covered F Sport steering wheel, leather-trimmed shift knob, eight-inch TFT colour display, aluminium pedals and footrest round off the interior package. 

Powertrain and performance
The front-wheel drive Lexus UX 250h F Sport is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 107kW of power at 6000rpm and 180Nm of torque at 4400rpm. The engine is paired to the brand’s fourth-generation self-charging hybrid powertrain technology. As a result, the UX 250h has a total system output of 135kW. Lexus claims a 0-100km/h sprint time of 8.5 seconds and fuel economy is rated at 4.5-litres/100km combined. 

The UX is the first Lexus to be constructed using the new Global Architecture – Compact (GA-C) platform. It also features bespoke F Sport suspension tuning, which includes specific springs and stabiliser bars, plus a rear performance damper for a more refined ride. 

The new high-response Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system increases damping force to minimise roll when cornering or changing lanes and reduces damping force in straight-line driving to preserve ride quality. 

Safety

All UX models are equipped with eight airbags: driver and front passenger airbags; driver and front passenger knee airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side impact airbags; and front to rear side curtain airbags.

The Lexus Safety System comes standard in the hybrid F Sport and includes: Standard Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Crash System (PCS) – Brake Synchronised, Blind Spot Monitor, Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and LED Adaptive High-beam System (AHS). 

Pricing and warranty 
Pricing for the Lexus UX range is as follows:

> Hybrid EX – R745,100;

> Hybrid SE – R824,000; and

> Hybrid F Sport – R874,800.

The entire UX range boasts a Lexus best-in-class 7-year/105 000km Warranty and Full Maintenance Plan. The vehicle service intervals are at every 15 000km, alternatively once a year.