Lexus says RX plug

To achieve a bolder stance for the RX, Lexus designers extended the hood, lengthened the wheelbase and lowered the roofline. The slanted black rear pillar is now more three-dimensional.

BRUSSELS – Lexus has added a plug-in hybrid version of the new generation of its best-selling model, the RX large premium SUV.

The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid will be the core model in western Europe, Lexus said in a news release. It will have CO2 emissions of less than 30 grams per km and 65 km (40 miles) of electric-only range.

In total, the RX will have three electrified variants in Europe -- two full hybrids and the new plug-in. In keeping with recent Lexus strategy, there will be no diesel variant. A gasoline RX will also be offered, mainly for eastern Europe.

The fifth-generation RX is due to arrive in dealerships in Europe in December.

To achieve a bolder stance for the RX, Lexus designers extended the hood, lengthened the wheelbase and lowered the roofline. The slanted black rear pillar is now more three-dimensional.

"With the various options that we are offering on the new RX, we are giving customers the chance to join electrification on their terms," said Spiros Fortinos, head of Lexus Europe, at a press event here in Brussels.

Lexus expects to sell about 12,300 RXs next year in its Europe region, a figure that does not compare directly with the more than 18,000 units sold in 2021.

Last year, Russia and Ukraine accounted for more than 8,000 units of the RX, but sales in these two markets were paused in March and are currently not included in future planning.

Sales of the RX were flat last year in Europe (EU plus the UK and the European Free Trade Association countries) at 5,679 units, according to Dataforce figures. The RX ranked 13th in the large premium SUV segment, which grew 3.2 percent to 255,385 units. It was led by the Mercedes GLE at 50,192, ahead of the BMW X5 (46,079) and the Volvo XC90 (29,551).

For customers looking beyond hybrids to full-electric cars, Lexus will introduce the battery-only RZ crossover in January 2023. Lexus expects to sell about 6,000 RZs in 2023, mainly in Western Europe

The 450h+ plug-in hybrid RX will have a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor in the rear to enable full-time all-wheel drive. Total power is 306 hp and CO2 emissions will be 24 to 26 g/km under the WLTP cycle, Lexus says. An 18.1 kilowatt-hour battery enables an electric-only range of 65 km, with a top speed of 135 kph.

The 450h+ will also be sold in other markets including the U.S.

The rear of the RX was completely redesigned to extend the wheelbase.

Performance hybrid

For buyers looking for more performance, Lexus will offer the RX 500h, the brand's first turbocharged full-hybrid model, with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine delivering 371 hp and standard all-wheel drive. Emissions are expected to be 182 -189 g/km.

The entry-level RX 350h full hybrid is positioned as an efficient alternative to small-displacement diesel powertrains. It has the 2.5-liter gasoline engine with an output of 245 hp and emissions of 143-150 g/km.

In eastern Europe, Lexus will continue to offer 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.

The RX has a 14-inch central touch screen as standard.

Dynamic exterior design

To achieve a bolder stance for the new RX, Lexus designers extended 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 gives the car a coupe-like appearance, is now more three-dimensional. Triple LED headlights are sleeker, sharper and more horizontal.

"First we created a dynamic exterior design to express a captivating, engaging presence, and a solidly planted stance to evoke driving performance," RX Chief Engineer Takaaki Ohno said in a statement.

The RX's length is unchanged at 4890mm, with the rear overhang shortened by 60 mm to allow for the longer wheelbase. Width has been increased by 25 mm to 1920 mm.

To make the minimalist interior more driver-centered, Lexus developed the Tazuna cockpit concept, which aims for direct yet intuitive control. Introduced first on the new NX and RZ models, it takes its name from the Japanese word for reins. Information sources such as the multimedia screen, centralized gauges and head-up display are grouped so their content can be read with minimal eye and head movement.

The RX features a 14-inch central touch screen as standard. In addition to the embedded navigation system, the new RX also provides cloud services in markets where the service is available. The car's data communication module provides always-on connectivity, providing live information on traffic events, accidents and road conditions.

The new multimedia system includes the smart voice assistant "Hey Lexus" that responds to questions and commands given in a more natural style of language.

In addition to remote functions available on the Lexus Link app such as driving analytics, hybrid coaching, fuel level monitoring and "find my car" function, new functions include monitoring the level of battery charge, scheduling charging and a charging timer. The app also allows locking and unlocking the vehicle, opening the tailgate, operating the climate control, and flashing the hazard lights to identify the car in a parking lot.

The new RX offers the third generation of the Lexus Safety System+, with improved pre-collision system, new proactive driver assist and extended safety package.

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