Lexus and parent company Toyota decide to stick with what they know best

By Gerry Murphy

Seven years on from the last Lexus RX450h, the new version has arrived, just this week, in Lexus showrooms nationwide. Lisbon was the venue for the pan-European launch the previous week and it was there that we were treated to our fist drive in the new car.

As big, premium SUVs go, the RX450h has been a pioneering hybrid for many years. Some of the other brands are in the hybrid market too, all offering plug-in hybrids with lithium ion batteries and the chance to charge them at home or at rapid charge sites set up by the ESB.

Lexus and its parent company Toyota has decided to stick with what they know best, using a straight hybrid and heavier nickel batteries.

When asked if a plug-in version was in the pipeline, Kevin O’Reilly, Head of Lexus Ireland, told us that Lexus didn’t yet see enough demand right now and that that lithium ion batteries were ultra reliable and nickel-based batteries had yet to be proven so. Lexus and Toyota have never had their batteries fail in any car produced by the Japanese brands.

The redesigned 2016 Lexus RX 450h Hybrid features a 3.5-liter V6 engine and an electric motor paired with a CVT transmission. There is an additional motor on the back axel which drives the rear wheels for the 4WD system.

When driven with battery power alone, the RX is virtually silent. However when you hit the accelerator hard, the car does scream somewhat through the CVT gearbox and the revs increase until you lift your right foot.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune