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27 t On the interior, the instrument panel has an interesting multi-step treatment on the passenger side. In this case (note the red stitching), this version of the NX is the F SPORT model. Among the F SPORT mods are exterior changes (L-mesh black grille, black side mirrors, exclusive wheels), interior changes (sport seats, perforated steering wheel, drilled aluminum pedals), and Active Sound Control (driver- adjustable engine sound within the cabin that's based on actual engine output modifed and amplifed, depending on operating conditions). execution in, say, the IS than the RX. This is a space where it is more technical, not only from the perspective of electronics (yes, there is the excepted implantation with screens, displays and apps), but from the point of view of the metallic surfaces and knurled knobs. The center stack's shape resembles that of the front spindle grille. On the passenger's side, there is an interesting metallic inset that separates the top section of the IP from the top of the glove box area, again emphasizing the "sports gear" character of the design: think Oakley. The NX features what is called a "Remote Touch Interface," which essentially replaces the joystick that Lexus had been using with the ability to use a fnger to swipe and select. Also, for those who have a Qi-enabled smartphone, there is a charging tray in the console box that allows wireless charging. (If you're interested, here is a link to the Wireless Power Consortium's list of Qi-certifed products: wirelesspowerconsortium. com/products .) The NX is nothing if not contempor- aneous from the point of view of propulsion. Kato says that downsized, turbocharged engines are "a key technology for the future," so the NX 200t has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that features a combination water-cooled cylinder head, integrated exhaust manifold and twin-scroll turbocharger. Because it is "key," they decided that they would develop and produce the turbo in-house and not source it from a supplier. It's also worth noting that this is the frst turbo Lexus has ofered, so it is a rather important execution. The reason why turbos are important for four-cylinder (and other) comparatively smaller engines is because engines are being downsized for purposes of increasing fuel efciency, but then there is the issue of performance, which the turbo brings. So arguably, overall a turbocharged four is considered to be more environmentally correct, than, say, a six- or eight-cylinder, which might not be as fuel efcient. The manufacturing engineers have taken this idea of environmental correctitude all the way to the point where they developed the turbo such that is manufactured in an environmentally aware way, as in producing the impeller via near-net-shape forging (which means there is less machining required); using electron-beam welding for the turbine wheel (which is a low-distortion method, so there is less potential scrap); and making the turbine housing with a new heat- resistant cast steel that has reduced nickel content (nickel under certain conditions can have deleterious environmental efects). The engine produces 235 hp @ 5,600 rpm and provides 258 lb-ft of torque at from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. The engine features both port- and direct-injection to assure power at all speeds. The Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-iW) system allows the engine to start in the Otto cycle and then run in the more fuel efcient Atkinson cycle (there is late intake valve closing during the Atkinson cycle which reduces pumping losses and boosts fuel economy; the "W" in the engine descriptor nomenclature stands for "wide," as in a wider intake cam timing control). And speaking of the future, there is a "G-force Artifcial Intelligence" system that selects the appropriate gear and even downshift pattern for the new sequential six-speed automatic based on G forces encountered during driving. And speaking of things with clutches and G forces, there is an active torque control all-wheel-drive system that's based on an electronically-controlled coupling mechanism—consisting of two