BRUSSELS – Lexus has added a plug-in hybrid choice to the brand new era of its best-selling mannequin, the RX giant premium SUV, with CO2 emissions of lower than 30 grams per km and 65 km (40 miles) of electric-only vary.
The RX was first launched in 1998, and since then Lexus, Toyota Motor’s premium model, has bought 3.5 million models, with about 300,000 in its Europe area, which incorporates Turkey, Russia and a number of other different non-EU international locations.
The brand new RX could have three electrified variants in Europe — two full hybrids and the brand new plug-in. However in step with current Lexus technique, there can be no diesel variant. It is because of arrive in dealerships in Europe in December.
“With the assorted choices that we’re providing on the brand new RX, we’re giving clients the prospect to affix electrification on their phrases,” stated Spiros Fortinos, head of Lexus Europe, at a press occasion right here in Brussels.
Lexus expects to promote about 12,300 RXs subsequent 12 months in its Europe area, a determine that doesn’t evaluate instantly with the greater than 18,000 models bought in 2021.
Final 12 months, Russia and Ukraine accounted for greater than 8,000 models of the RX, however gross sales in these two markets have been paused in March and are at present not included in future planning.
Gross sales of the RX have been flat final 12 months in Europe (EU plus the UK and the European Free Commerce Affiliation international locations) at 5,679 models, in accordance with Dataforce figures. The RX ranked thirteenth within the giant premium SUV phase, which grew 3.2 % to 255,385 models. It was led by the Mercedes GLE at 50,192, forward of the BMW X5 (46,079) and the Volvo XC90 (29,551).
For patrons trying past hybrids to full-electric automobiles, Lexus will introduce the battery-only RZ crossover in January 2023. Lexus expects to promote about 6,000 RZs in 2023, primarily in Western Europe
The plug-in RX mannequin can be known as the 450h+, and could have a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electrical motor within the rear to allow full-time all-wheel drive. Whole energy is 306 hp and CO2 emissions can be 24 to 26 g/km beneath the WLTP cycle, Lexus says. An 18.1 kilowatt-hour battery permits an electric-only vary of 65 km, with a high pace of 135 kph.
For consumers on the lookout for extra efficiency, Lexus will provide the RX 500h, the model’s first turbocharged full-hybrid mannequin, with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 371 hp and customary all-wheel drive. Emissions are anticipated to be 182-189 g/km.
The entry-level RX 350h full hybrid is positioned as an environment friendly different to small-displacement diesel powertrains. It has the two.5-liter gasoline engine with an output of 245 hp and emissions of 143-150 g/km.
In Japanese Europe solely, Lexus will proceed to supply a nonhybrid RX. The RX 350 is powered by the 2.4-liter gasoline engine with 279 hp and emissions of 197 g/km, with full-time all-wheel drive.
To attain a bolder stance for the brand new RX, Lexus designers prolonged the hood, lengthened the wheelbase by 60 mm and lowered the roofline by 10 mm to 1710 mm. The signature slanted black rear pillar, which creates what Lexus calls a floating roof and offers the automobile a coupe-like look, is now extra three-dimensional. Triple LED headlights are sleeker, sharper and extra horizontal.
“First we created a dynamic exterior design to specific a charming, participating presence, and a solidly planted stance to evoke driving efficiency,” RX Chief Engineer Takaaki Ohno stated in a press release.
The RX’s size is unchanged at 4890mm, with the rear overhang shortened by 60 mm to permit for the longer wheelbase. Width has been elevated by 25 mm to 1920 mm.
To make the minimalist inside extra driver-centered, Lexus developed the Tazuna cockpit idea, which goals for direct but intuitive management. Launched first on the brand new NX and RZ fashions, it takes its identify from the Japanese phrase for reins. Data sources such because the multimedia display screen, centralized gauges and head-up show are grouped so their content material might be learn with minimal eye and head motion.
The RX encompasses a 14-inch central contact display screen as customary. Along with the embedded navigation system, the brand new RX additionally supplies cloud providers in markets the place the service is on the market. The automobile’s knowledge communication module supplies always-on connectivity, offering dwell info on site visitors occasions, accidents and highway situations.
The brand new multimedia system consists of the good voice assistant “Hey Lexus” that responds to questions and instructions given in a extra pure model of language.
Along with distant features out there on the Lexus Hyperlink app comparable to driving analytics, hybrid teaching, gasoline stage monitoring and “discover my automobile” perform, new features embrace monitoring the extent of battery cost, scheduling charging and a charging timer. The app additionally permits locking and unlocking the automobile, opening the tailgate, working the local weather management, and flashing the hazard lights to establish the automobile in a parking zone.
The brand new RX affords the third era of the Lexus Security System+, with improved pre-collision system, new proactive driver help and prolonged security bundle.