Two-pronged Lexus hybrid approach coming

LEXUS is considering the introduction of more affordable, less powerful, efficiency-biased hybrids alongside its current performance-oriented petrol-electric models.

The company is also investigating plug-in hybrid technology, new types of battery and improving the mechanical components of its petrol-electric powertrains.

However a full EV is off the menu for the foreseeable future.

General manager of Lexus International, Andrew Kirby, told GoAuto at this week’s Australian unveiling of the new LS limousine in Melbourne that the scheme could lead to some models having two hybrid options.

“Previously we have focussed on the performance aspect of a hybrid but we could have one that is geared toward efficiency as well as the performance version,” he said.

The two-pronged hybrid approach reflects that taken by many European brands with their downsized, forced-induction petrol and diesel engines.

For example, BMW’s recently introduced N20 four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is available in a number of models as a de-tuned ‘20i’ and high-output ‘28i’ version that has replaced 3.0-litre six-cylinder units.

Left: Lexus' Andrew Kirby.

Applied to Lexus, the GS sedan range would keep the GS450h performance hybrid as its flagship but a second hybrid based on the entry-level GS250 could be added to create a GS300h that costs less and is even more fuel-efficient than the 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres rating of the GS450h.

Lexus parent company Toyota is forging a path with plug-in hybrid technology through the plug-in Prius, which can travel on electricity alone at up to 100km/h with a maximum range of 23km compared with two kilometres at less than 50km/h for the standard car.

The plug-in Prius had a lithium-ion battery pack instead of the old-tech nickel-metal hydride units currently used in other Toyota and Lexus hybrids.

Toyota has experienced early sales success with the plug-in Prius and Mr Kirby said a plug-in Lexus is also under consideration.

“Certainly plug-in is an option for the future and we are actively investigating that, and we are actively investigating the type of batteries so a lot of potential for improvement there.”

Mr Kirby told GoAuto the company is also looking at improving its standard hybrid drivetrains with a view to applying the latest technological developments – but a full EV is off the agenda for now.

“I am not saying that (an EV) is not an option in the future because we have still got a number of technologies, but we want to retain the performance aspect with environmental performance and right now an EV doesn't really work in our product range.

“We think there is still a lot of potential to improve hybrids both in terms of the powertrains we make them with and the technology itself,” he said.

“As battery technology evolves there is a lot of potential for including that as well.”

Mr Kirby added that Lexus is “putting a lot of resources” into hybrid development and expanding its hybrid offering as well as “looking at a number of different powertrain options”.

“Hybrids are taking off in different markets, we have some markets where hybrids are 85 per cent (of Lexus volume) and I think it is a trend of the future.

“We’ve seen it growing in all our markets around the world – there is not a market where it is not growing.”

Lexus Australia chief executive Tony Cramb told GoAuto the “vast majority” of future Lexus models will have at least one hybrid in the line-up.

“Our intention is clear that hybrids are going to be a big part of our future,” he said. “Whether every single car has it I don’t know.”

A third of Lexus sales in Australia are for hybrid models, with petrol-electric versions of the GS and facelifted RX SUV selling particularly well – and Mr Cramb admitted the company had “underestimated demand” for those variants.

As reported, Lexus Australia has made the hybrid version of its refreshed LS limousine flagship a sports model with full F-Sport treatment – and expects the lower priced, short-wheelbase new LS600h to become the top seller.

“The Aussie customer likes a sporty feel and sporty design … early interest is very much in the LS600h F Sport,” said Mr Cramb.