Toyota Mark X - show pics

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1 min read

22 October 2009

This is the new shape Toyota X saloon, which the company hopes is a match for the BMW 5-series

On paper, the uppercrust rear-drive Mark X is very much a machine in the BMW mould, although it’s on the market in Japan for thousands of pounds less.

See the full hi-res Toyota X saloon picture gallery

This latest-generation X kicks off in three grades, standard, premium and sports type. It also boasts a fair helping of Lexus tech underneath to push dynamics and image.

There are two petrol V6 engines available; the 200bhp 2.5-litre engine is a detuned version of the 4GR-FSE unit from the Lexus IS250.

Likewise, the range-topping 314bhp 3.5-litre engine is shared with the Lexus GS350. A six-speed auto transmission is standard.

With front double-wishbone and rear multilink suspension, the 4730 mm Mark X is again not far off the Lexus IS/GS family, but the cabin treatment is more dour and workmanlike, and highly conventional.

The Mark X - shown at the Tokyo motor show - is not expected to come anywhere near Europe.

Instead, this will be Toyota’s BMW wannabe in Japan and some parts of Asia.

Peter Nunn

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phatplanet 22 October 2009

Re: Toyota launches 5-series rival

HyundaiSmoke wrote the following post at Thu, Oct 22 2009 1:02 AM:

I know some of you global car fans would know. Is the X in Mark X for X, or is the X for ten?

Just X or "Mark Ex". In China this car is sold as Toyota Reiz.

optimal_909 21 October 2009

fuzzybear wrote:
I agree

I think most people simply found it weird to call it a 5-series rival, which quite a benchmark in its class - especially as the Mark X is a trade-down Lexus GS. That does not mean it can not be a good value sports sedan. But starting on a forum like this is surely not the best way...

suman 20 October 2009

ronmcdonald wrote:
Even the Lexus brand can't be seen as a sucess story in the UK. The smaller IS sells but what about the GS? or the SC coupe? As for the LS, well I think it's only customer is Doc Martin!

I bought and loved the LS460 (after reading about it in the pages of Autocar), and I believe that Stephen Gückel also has/had one. As far as the Mark X goes, I'm not sold on the exterior styling, but the interior does appeal to me on some levels. I certainly don't have a pathological hatred of Toyota or indeed any car brand. If I see a car I like, I'll consider it regardless of brand. Right now, I have my eye on a new shape BMW Z4.

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Toyota Mark X - show pics