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DETROIT AUTO SHOW
SAN DIEGO - Lexus' RX 300, the first strike in an onslaught of carbased luxury sport wagons, is a tough act to follow. And that's the challenge facing its replacement, the 2004 RX 330.
One could argue that the current model is doing fine since it has been on the market for 60 months without incentives, said Denny Clements, Lexus Division's general manager. Its sales have averaged about 70,000 units a year, even though Lexus placed a modest expectation of 25,000 units annually when it launched five years ago. Instead, the RX 300 has become Lexus' volume leader.
While the RX 330 isn't as groundbreaking as its predecessor, it shows the typical product advancements that are expected from Toyota's luxury arm.
Lexus made the RX 330 bigger, stronger and faster. The RX 330 gains 3.9 inches of wheelbase, 6.1 inches of overall length, 1.1 inches of width and nearly an inch in height.
Its engine gains 0.3 liters of displacement; horsepower is up by 10; and torque is increased by 20 pounds-feet. Lexus claims the RX 330 will have...