Lexus has carved out a name for itself in the premium automotive space through countless innovations. One of its biggest and most recognizable ones is the use of a gasoline-electric hybrid engine in its vehicles.
Combining a gasoline engine with an electric motor, it offers unparalleled fuel efficiency and low emissions. Using an advanced control system, the two powertrains can be proportionally engaged. For example, the combustion engine is shut off when the vehicle is at a standstill, while electrical energy generated during deceleration and braking is harvested and stored in its on-board battery.
Its inherent smoothness and quietness led to the world’s first luxury SUV hybrid—the Lexus RX 400h in 2005. Since then, Lexus has sold over 2 million hybrid vehicles worldwide.
The story does not stop there. Up to now, Lexus has continued to develop its models and technologies with a mission to balance its signature driving character with environmental sensitivity. The Lexus RX continues to lead the charge, and with the current RX 450h, it is the culmination of years of development and improvement.
Here are just some ways the Lexus RX 450h remains the leader in premium luxury SUVs:
1. The leader in hybrid technology
At the heart of the RX 450h is a self-charging full hybrid system with a 3.5-liter direct-injected V6 coupled with front and rear electric motors. The total system output (engine and electric motors combined) amounts to 308 horsepower.
The key components and control systems in the Lexus Hybrid Drive System—as the newest hybrid system is called—were improved and re-engineered in the RX 450h to deliver class-leading fuel economy, minimal emissions, and excellent on-road performance.
The front transaxle gained a new water-cooled transmission oil cooler for the electric motor and a pre-loaded differential to improve performance and straight-line stability, while the rear transaxle featured in the E-Four all-wheel-drive system was redesigned with a three-shaft configuration, creating a more compact unit in which the input shaft can be moved as close as possible to the output shaft. The design also saves weight by using aluminum for the case and cover.
Other updates to the system include a design evolution of the Power Control Unit (PCU) and HV Engine Control Unit (ECU) that delivers better energy efficiency, more driver-friendly operation, and more refined performance. A lighter, more efficient electric water pump was introduced and the hybrid battery was repackaged, making it more compact and improving space efficiency. The E-Four electric all-wheel-drive system’s control functions were improved to give a better response when accelerating through bends.
2. Unmatched luxury and refinement
Like every other Lexus, the RX 450h was crafted by Takumi master builders—and it shows in its stunning exterior and luxurious interior.
The cabin design strikes a balance between functionality and luxury, finished with refined materials that exude quality construction and craftsmanship. The ambiance is spacious yet intimate, with high levels of comfort for everyone on board.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, allowing owners to use their smartphone via a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. Owners will also enjoy the hands-free power back door, clever cargo solutions with the powered fold-flat rear seats, LED headlights, illuminated exterior door handles, and the ornamented leather shift knob.
Other features showcased in the RX 450h are the Hybrid System Indicator that displays real-time information about the system’s output and regeneration, an EV Drive mode for silent and emission-free movement at low speeds, a drive-mode selector to match your driving style, a start-stop system that shuts off the engine when stationary, and Adaptive Variable Suspension for the smooth ride expected from a Lexus.
3. Cutting-edge construction techniques
For added body rigidity Lexus engineers identified key areas in the rocker panels, rear wheelhouses, and the underbody where additional spot welds and the use of structural adhesive could deliver a more rigid body. In all, an extra 4.2 meters of adhesive and 14 weld points have been added in these areas, accomplished using the existing tooling on the production line at the Kyushu plant. This increases the integrity of the panel joints, benefiting both stability and ride comfort.
Laser screw welding is also used in the RX 450h’s construction and high-tensile strength steel is applied in key areas such as the underbody cross members and the front and center pillar sections. A ring-frame construction technique adds strength to the frame sections around the front and rear doors, while areas around the rear body frame have numerous spot welds to give more strength and handling stability. These measures contribute to handling quality and cabin quietness, as well as the overall structural rigidity of the vehicle platform.
Priced at P5,238,000, the Lexus RX 450h offers the latest in hybrid technology and production techniques. Above all, it is an SUV that is luxurious, comfortable, and easy to drive, particularly in urban environments where conventional 4x4s prove unwieldy.
Chief Engineer Takeaki Kato said: “In developing the new model, I was determined to keep and further refine the ‘one-of-a-kind’ value that only the RX could create, something which has been cultivated since the first generation.”
To learn more, visit the Lexus website at lexus.com.ph or visit our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram @lexusmanila
To arrange a consultation with your personal sales consultant, visit the Lexus Remote page at https://fal.cn/3eSWW.
