FIRSTDRIVE LEXUS RX 450H:Those who dare to drive a large car with an '09 reg can look environmentalists in the eye, writes PADDY COMYN
IT ISN’T an ideal time to be launching a new, premium SUV. It’s the middle of the year, which is traditionally quiet; this year is particularly unique in that car sales are down over 64 per cent, the premium SUV segment is down 94.9 per cent, and finally there is now a huge social stigma attached to both owning an SUV and having an ‘09 plate on it.
So let’s, like Lexus have, drop the SUV title and call the new RX450h a crossover, a term that gets many manufacturers away from the increasingly tarnished image of a gas-guzzler.
Lexus has another ace up its sleeve: the ‘h’ in 450h is for hybrid. Despite being powered primarily by a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that would keep John Gormley awake at night, it’s aided by an electric motor.
“We know what a hybrid is” I hear you cry, but apparently more than half of you don’t.
A survey carried out by Lexus showed that 49 per cent of those asked had seen/heard about hybrids; 51 per cent hadn’t.
So for those of you who weren’t paying attention: the electric motor is charged by the car’s motion and braking, there are no plugs involved and the motor works with the petrol engine to offer more power. Subsequently, the petrol engine has less to do and coughs up less bad stuff.
This means that, despite its 299hp, the RX Hybrid isn’t any worse for the environment in terms of CO2 than a 1.4 Ford Focus. Remember this information for when you’re confronted by a wild-eyed eco-warrior.
There are 783 RX400h customers out there, and Lexus would obviously hope to get a portion of these back again. So why should they?
Firstly, it’s a new model, not just a facelift, so the design has evolved. It’s 10mm longer, 40mm wider, 15mm higher and sits on a wheelbase 20mm longer than the model it replaces.
While the design remains similar to the previous model, the front and rear are quite different. It looks a little bit more upmarket, but the rear looks less distinctive than before.
The car is beautifully made and exquisitely finished. Climb inside and you find there’s been much more thought put into it.
Lexus is usually pretty good at innovation, and it’s done it again with the Remote Touch – essentially a computer mouse in the centre console. It’s intuitive, works well and makes other systems look convoluted. It will be available as an option.
Other features include a head-up display, side cameras, a rear reversing camera and radar system that will detect an imminent crash and take preventative measures.
Another big reason for RX400h buyers to pay attention is that the second-generation RX Hybrid is 10 per cent more powerful thanks to a stronger petrol engine, with 249bhp and two powerful electric motors supplying the rest of the power.
Fuel economy is enhanced by an Atkinson cycle that results in lower exhaust temperature, cooled exhaust gas recirculation and exhaust heat recovery to improve overall fuel economy. This is enhanced further by an Eco mode that encourages more efficient driving, and an EV mode where the car drives on battery power alone. This last mode works at start-up and at speeds of less than 40km/h if the battery has enough charge, and means that in traffic you could be driving with no tailpipe emissions, if only briefly.
It’s not really a surprise that this RX Hybrid feels very fast. 0-100km/h takes just 7.8 seconds and the top speed of 200km/h we would guess would come pretty soon after.
There’s still pretty light steering, but this is favoured by the customer. The steering is agile enough on twisty roads if you push it. But it is at its best in city traffic or on the motorway, where it is quiet and very fast.
With fuel economy of 6.3l/100km and road tax of €302, as opposed to €1,050, it would be hard not to feel smug. There is more good news too, in that the new emissions mean a lower price tag.
Prices start at €62,000 for the Executive model, rising to €68,400 for the Sport. The Executive grade gets leather heated and electric seats with memory, bi-xenon HID headlights with I-AFS, parking camera, Bluetooth connectivity active head rests and VDIM, nine-speaker audio system with USB and aux-in, and the Sport adds remote touch, HDD navigation with parking monitor, 12 speaker audio upgrade, 19” alloys, parking sensors, wood inlays and an electric tailgate.
A Technology Pack (€4,663) adds a 7.1 Surround Sound system (which is awesome), a head-up display, a card key and LED headlights. Premium (€6,885) offers surround sound, side monitors, wooden steering wheel, better leather and seats and card key. Existing RX400h owners would have got all the bells and whistles thrown in but paid quite a bit more – so the new model will be on par.
For those who don’t need all the toys the RX Hybrid Executive is cheaper than the GS.
Lexus predicts a modest 20 sales this year (85 in 2010, 200 units less than they achieved for the equivalent model in the heady days of 2007).
This small group will be happy with their newer RX Hybrid, and only have to point at the tax disc and the badge on the back to shoo away begrudgers.
The new model will go on sale at the end of August, but orders can be placed now.
Factfile
Engine:3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and 86 DIN hp rear electric motor
Power:combined power of 299bhp and 317Nm torque
0-100km/h:7.8 seconds
Max Speed:200km/h
Fuel Economy:6.3l/100km
CO2 emissions:148g/km
Motor Tax Band:C (€302)
Price:Executive €62,000, Sport €68,400