Super TestCar reviews - Lexus - RX - RX450h 5-dr wagon rangeLexus modelsOverviewLexus goes for hybrid SUV gold with its redesigned, better-value RX450h16 Jun 2009 WHILE its German rivals talk about producing hybrid versions of their existing luxury SUVs, Japan’s Lexus has released the second generation of its petrol-electric RX crossover. Available now in three model grades, mirroring the petrol-powered RX350 line-up launched in February, the RX450h is the first Lexus to return fuel consumption of less than 7.0L/100km, making it almost entirely exempt from luxury car tax. That means it’s also the most affordable Lexus hybrid to date and with pricing starting at under $90,000 it is no wonder Toyota’s luxury division is selling every example it can get. Model release date: 1 June 2009 to 1 May 2012 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen Previous modelTHE RX400h was the second hybrid Lexus to arrive in Australia, in October 2006, as well as being the nation’s first petrol-electric SUV. It was powered by a 3.3-litre transverse petrol V6 producing 155kW at 5600rpm and 288Nm of torque at 4400rpm, working in conjunction with a 650-volt electric motor. Differentiating the hybrid RX from other Lexus hybrids was a second 650-volt electric motor exclusively devoted to driving the rear wheels when required, instead of the full-time AWD three-differential set-up used in the RX350. Total power of the drive system was 200kW, yet Lexus claimed the average fuel consumption for the RX400h was 8.1L/100km – compared with the previous RX350’s 11.2L/100km). At 192g/km, the RX400h’s fuel consumption was slightly more than half of some cars with similar-sized petrol engines. The weight of the RX400h was up by nearly 200kg over the RX350. |
Super TestClick to share
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram