d+a | Issue 116 • Jun/July 2020

10 / MOOD BOARD / Less obvious are tiny alloy studs on the knee bolsters of the NX – the same ones found in the interior of the Lexus LFA supercar. On the exterior, a less-noticed part of the car are the windscreen wipers. For the NX, these have been redesigned to have a single support point, down from the usual four, to lower the profile of the blade. As a result, there is a reduction in wind noise and a cleaner, more aerodynamic appearance. Functional adjustments have been made too, so that the fin design integrated into the blade reduces lift to ensure excellent wiping performance during high-speed driving. DESIGN CUES FROM A VARIETY OF PLACES WERE TAKEN TO CREATE THE NEW LEXUS NX. SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING NEW T he new Lexus NX is yet another example of how the Japanese marque uses a multi-disciplinary approach to designing its cars, while paying attention to the smallest details. In the cabin of the luxury crossover SUV, both cup holders in the front are lined with elastomer, a high-friction material commonly found in the soles of athletic shoes, which can be removed to be cleaned. The benefit? To allow the driver to untwist the cover of the cup with one hand, without it sliding around the holder. Unrivalled convenience and ease of use are also the traits of the interiors, aligned with Lexus’s commitment to the Japanese hospitality principles of omotenashi . A luxurious look and feel is now had following an upgrade of the centre console. For instance, the climate control panel and analogue clock has received ergonomic and feature upgrades. WORDS LOW SHI PING