The new lexus rx300: changing the way an suv should be key points
|
|  Yüklə 1.26 Mb.
|
|
NEURAL NETWORK CONTROL SYSTEM In conventional automatic air conditioning systems, the ECU determines the required outlet air temperature and blower air volume using a calculation formula based on information received from sensors. A human’s sensorial network is much more complex, though, which means that sometimes the settings used by the A/C do not provide the best comfort for passengers. For instance, a given amount of solar radiation can feel comfortably warm in a cold climate or extremely uncomfortable in a hot environment. The answer to this problem was the development of an air conditioner ECU that can actually simulate the complex human sensorial network that regulates the body’s thermal functions and sets the standards for thermal comfort. To begin with, a great deal of information was stored in the ECU, based on how several people would react to variations in temperature. This information is then used as a basis for the Neural Network Control, which consists of three layers of neurons. The input layer neurons receive information on elements such as outside temperature, amount of sunlight and cabin temperature. They will then output this data to the intermediate layer neurons. Based on this information, they adjust the strength of the links between the neurons. The sum of these links is then calculated by the output layer neurons in the form of details such as required outlet temperature, solar correction, target airflow volume and outlet model control volume. The air conditioner ECU will then control the servo motors and the blower motor in accordance with these parameters. The new Lexus RX300 is the first luxury SUV in the world to use such a sophisticated air conditioning system. POWER TAILGATE The Lexus RX300 is the first luxury SUV in Europe to be equipped with an electric-powered tailgate. This system, available as standard equipment on SE and SE-L grades, automatically opens or closes the vehicle’s rear door at the press of a button or using the key remote controller. For safer operation, the system is equipped with a warning buzzer and touch sensors. This sounds when the automatic operation starts and the touch sensor detects any foreign object obstructing the door, commanding the system’s ECU to stop and reverse the closing action. 
Power Tailgate closer switch
opener/closer switch 
Power Tailgate button
The front door windows feature a special water-repellent coating that significantly improves visibility in heavy rain. Water droplets slide easily across the glass surface instead of gathering together on the window and impairing outward vision. NEW LEXUS RX300: MUCH MORE FOR YOUR MONEY COST OF OWNERSHIP Both in terms of on-the-road price and cost of ownership, the RX300 leaves its rivals standing. The competition has had five years to sharpen up its act, but still lags behind when it comes to delivering anything like the kind of comfort, convenience and safety equipment package Lexus owners enjoy as standard for a remarkable on-the-road price. Take your pick of the premium marques and you will discover that, to specify an equivalent vehicle to match even the entry-level RX300, owners will need to spend thousands of pounds on extra-cost options. Taking a package of what Lexus has identified as priority items for luxury SUV owners, it enjoys a price advantage of up to £3,510 compared to direct rival models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and Land Rover. And that’s without taking into account the fact that the Lexus comes with some features money just can’t buy where other brands are concerned. The BMW X5 3.0i is a prime example. Even before you consider the specification detail, the car is more than £4,000 more expensive to buy than the RX300. Watch that figure soar as you add on £1,220 for automatic transmission, £250 for a CD autochanger, £545 for xenon headlamps and a wallet-busting £1,495 for electric seat adjustment. The picture is similar with the Mercedes-Benz ML 350. You will need to find more than £3,300 just to pay for a CD autochanger, trip computer, xenon headlamps and electric seat adjustment. That’s on top of a list price that’s already more than £3,700 higher than that of the Lexus. And where the Land Rover Discovery XS V8 is concerned, there is no hope of side or curtain airbags, xenon lights, stability control, or a host of other standard Lexus features, no matter how much money you are prepared to pay. What’s more, even with its poor specification and options list, the Discovery will still set you back more than £2,500 above the price tag of the RX300. The RX300’s advantage is not confined to just those features listed here for comparison purposes. All versions of the car are equipped with a driver’s knee airbag, while the SE and SE-L versions offer a tailgate that opens and closes at the touch of a button. The flagship SE-L further benefits from the Adaptive Front-lighting system, which swivels the headlights in line with steering input to improve forward illumination through bends, and a rear-view camera with a colour display screen integrated into the vehicle’s Lexus Navigator satellite navigation system. Full details of how the new Lexus RX300 measures up against its key market rivals are provided in the following tables. NEW LEXUS RX300 COMPETITOR COMPARISONS
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
