Compact and lightweight, it is located under the rear seat. Driving the RX 400h, Herwig Daenens was reminded just how very advanced the first luxury hybrid was and why it proved such a success.Ī major breakthrough at the time was its high voltage hybrid battery pack, rated at 288-Volts and containing 30 9.6-Volt cells. Orchestrating power from a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine and front/rear electric motors, with the RX 400h, Lexus seized the initiative to become the leader in alternative powertrains, soon launching a range of Lexus Self-Charging Hybrids. Now in their 4th generation, as well as offering refined power and control, Lexus Self-Charging Hybrids are more efficient and produce considerably fewer emissions than conventional petrol or diesel engines. As the name implies, Lexus hybrids charge themselves whilst they drive, slow down or brake, meaning owners never have to plug them in or worry about battery range. This characteristic, central to the car’s dynamic performance, is complemented by weight-saving measures in the body construction, such as lightweight aluminium for the side doors, wings and bonnet.Ĭombining the power of a petrol engine with one or more electric motors, Lexus Self-Charging Hybrids have always set the benchmark for luxury car electrification. Thanks to its new platform and the position of the hybrid battery, the UX 250h has the lowest centre of gravity in its class. This ambitious goal meant creating a highly rigid new platform as the perfect foundation for the hybrid crossover’s hatchback-like handling. In almost perfect conditions at the Zaventem Proving Ground, whilst the RX 400h luxury SUV delivered impressively refined performance, steering response and straight line stability, Herwig Daenens explained how the UX 250h benefits most from one person: Akio Toyoda, Lexus’ Master Driver, who insists that every new Lexus must be ‘fun to drive’. This is thanks mainly to its new and super-rigid GA-C platform that makes extensive use of adhesives, its low centre of gravity resulting in reduced chassis roll and precision of the electric power steering,” enthuses Herwig Daenens Crafted for the European driver, with part of the development work performed by the Lexus R&D Centre in Zaventem, it was incredibly fun around the track today. “The latest UX 250h demonstrates the vast improvement in driving dynamics that Lexus has achieved since 2005. With the track evaluation performed by Herwig Daenens, hybrid drivetrain expertise was provided by Raf Schuermans, Technical Senior Manager for 'Advanced Powertrains' at Toyota Motor Europe. To celebrate over 15 years of leadership in self-charging hybrid technology, Lexus recently put its 4 th generation UX 250h hybrid crossover ‘head to head’ against the first pioneering Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV at its state-of-the-art Technical Centre and Proving Ground at Zaventem in Belgium. Compared to the RX 400h it delivers more dynamic and engaging power, with the car’s speed and engine rpm better matched than on earlier Lexus hybrids,” comments Herwig Daenens, Technical Manager for 'Total Vehicle Evaluation and User Experience' at Toyota Motor Europe. However, a lot has changed in 15 years and for me the UX 250h sets the new hybrid benchmark with its bold styling, razor-sharp handling and 4 th generation Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid. Even today its linear acceleration, electrified V6 power and quietness are amazing. “I can still remember how much the RX 400h’s power and performance impressed me the first time I drove a prototype near the Nürburgring in Germany. *WLTP (approximate values for the RX 400h) While the RX 400h exhibits “factory new” smoothness and drivetrain refinement even after 15 years of hard use, the new UX 250h resets benchmarks for hybrid efficiency and dynamic handling.To mark this milestone, Lexus recently put its latest 4th generation UX 250h hybrid crossover ‘head to head’ against the pioneering hybrid SUV at its Zaventem Technical Centre in Belgium.15 years since the launch of the world’s first luxury hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h is still seen as a gamechanger for the Japanese luxury carmaker.
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