On the occasion of Automobile Barcelona 2023, which closes its doors today, Lexus has presented important innovations in its range. The most prominent are the RZ 450e, a new electric SUV with no emissions and the first vehicle of the firm developed from scratch to be exclusively electric; the RX, the fifth generation of one of the pioneers in the luxury SUV market; and the UX 250h Premium, an exclusive finish that expands the range of the Japanese hybrid.
The RZ 450e is more than an electric for Lexus. This is the company’s first model developed from the ground up as a battery EV vehicle. With a dedicated architecture, it is not an adaptation of a battery propulsion system instead of a conventional combustion engine, but rather materializes the potential of new technologies that enhance performance and driving pleasure in a sustainable way, true to the Lexus Electrified philosophy.
It is equipped with a 150 kW front motor and a 80 kW rear motor to develop a total power of 230 kW, equivalent to 313 HP of power that allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds (so it becomes in the second fastest model of the brand). Its 71.4 kWh gross capacity battery (64 net) gives it between 395 and 440 km of WLTP autonomy, depending on the finish and equipment, with an average consumption of 16.8 to 18.7 kWh.
The new RZ maintains the best qualities of performance and craftsmanship associated with the brand and takes advantage of Lexus’ extensive knowledge of vehicle electrification to offer a refined and sophisticated driving experience. It also marks the first application of new Lexus electric axles, compact front and rear-mounted power units that are combined with the new DIRECT4 4-wheel torque control system.
High-quality driving feel and precise, tuned response are some of the benefits offered by Lexus’ new EV platform, which provides excellent body rigidity, a low center of gravity and a long wheelbase. A powerful, seamlessly integrated lithium-ion battery is located in the chassis, under the floor of the passenger compartment, the quality of which has been carefully controlled to ensure long-term sustained performance.
For its part, with the new RX, Lexus has completely reinvented the large luxury SUV, building on the rich heritage of previous models, pushing new frontiers in design and technology. Thus, it applies the company’s new aesthetic language, which includes a ‘double arrowhead’ bodywork, resulting from integrating the characteristic concept of a pointed grille across the entire front of the vehicle. The grille itself has been reinterpreted as a continuous unit, which is integrated at the ends with the bodywork.
The RX presents a range made up of three electrified powertrains: RX 500h turbo hybrid, RX 450h plug-in hybrid and RX 350h hybrid.
The former is powered by a 2.4-liter hybrid engine—the first for Lexus to be turbocharged—with a six-speed automatic transmission and DIRECT4. Its total power is 371 CV (273 kW), it completes 0-100 in 6.2 s and its energy credentials are an average consumption of between 8 and 8.3 l/100 km with CO2 emissions of 182 to 189 g. , according to equipment.
As for the 450h -the first plug-in hybrid RX-, it mounts a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle block with four cylinders and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 18.1 kWh. An additional rear electric motor makes Lexus’ constant E-Four all-wheel drive possible. The total power is 309 hp, with which it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds. CO2 emissions in the WLTP combined cycle are less than 29 g/km, with fuel consumption less than 1.2 l/100 km. On the other hand, the autonomy in electric mode is 65 km, with the possibility of driving at a speed of up to 130 km/h.
The third mechanical alternative in the RX saga is the 350h, an efficient self-recharging hybrid. In this case, the propulsion set, made up of a 2.5-liter gasoline unit, develops 250 HP (184 kW) and has an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, while generating fewer emissions. in use (142-149 g/km). Its average consumption is between 6.3 and 6.6 l/100 km.
The RX 350h (with standard e-Four electric all-wheel drive) features the increased smoothness and efficiency of its fourth-generation self-charging hybrid system, which benefits from the same set of hybrid components and enhancements as the RX 450h, such as a new transaxle. hybrid with a more compact design, lower weight (-22% reduction), lower friction losses and a smaller (-9% less volume) and efficient PCU. It is equipped.
Finally, the range of the UX 250h model grows with this new finish, which offers interesting equipment options such as mirrors with the Blind Spot Detection System (BSM), Rear Traffic Warning and Braking (RCTAB) (for static and moving objects). movement), Intelligent Entry System (Smart Entry) and tinted rear windows.
