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| Launch Report Lexus RX 450h |
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The Future's Green
If you're struggling to get your head round the concept of a car – never mind a full-sized 4x4 – that pollutes less than Shanks's Pony, consider that the new Lexus RX 450h pushes out CO2 at the rate of just 148g/km. Focus on the fact that the Lexus can comfortably carry five people, and you can see that not only is the future bright, but it's also green. If all this seems too good to be true, of course it is – up to a point. In the real world you're unlikely to achieve this magical 148g/km figure, but the important thing is that it's possible. The RX 450h is not only 10% more powerful than the RX 400h that it replaces, but it's also 23% more fuel-efficient, with the official combined fuel consumption figure now standing at 44.8mpg. It's not just in terms of the efficiency that the RX 450h is a leap forward, as it's also quieter, even more spacious inside and even better-equipped – and the old car wasn't exactly a lemon in any of these respects. The 450 is also better dynamically, helped by a raft of new technologies and the adoption of double wishbone suspension at the rear, which also intrudes far less into the luggage bay, freeing up carrying capacity. For the first time ever on an RX, there's also the availability of air suspension, but it isn't the big leap forward that you might expect in terms of ride quality or refinement. However, that's less to do with failings of the air springing and more to do with the fact that the standard system does a good job of providing reasonable handling and a decently cossetting ride. There's room for improvement in both areas, but with a kerb weight of 2110kg for the entry-level car and a high centre of gravity, there's a limit to how agile the Lexus engineers could make the RX.
It's not just the suspension which impresses; the drivetrain is extremely accomplished too. While there's a conventional petrol engine backed up by an electric motor, there's no revcounter, so it's impossible to establish where the power really comes in or how linear the torque curve is – especially as the only transmission available is a continuously variable system with a sequential manual over-ride. So in a bid to get the message over in as straightforward a way as possible, let's just say there's plenty of everything, just when you need it. As with previous Toyota and Lexus hybrids, it all starts with the press of a button on the dash, but until you press the loud pedal (er, no, hang on . . .) you don’t even know it's time to launch off, which is why there's a light on the dash which proclaims 'ready'. A dab of the throttle and the RX launches, getting up to 62mph in just 7.8 seconds if you're in a hurry. As the speed gathers, there's little in the way of noise from the tyres, wind or mechanicals, just as you'd expect from a Lexus. The top speed of 124mph doesn't sound that special, but what's impressive is the performance available at any speed up to well beyond the motorway limit. Floor the throttle and the RX just takes off without fuss, in a brilliantly hushed fashion. It's all down to the electric motor that works in tandem with the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. While the V6 offers 246bhp and 234lb/ft of torque, the electric motor supplements this with another 174bhp and 247lb/ft. Get the abacus out and you’ll see that's 481lb/ft of torque, so it's no wonder the RX is no slouch.
There are no surprises elsewhere; everything fits beautifully, the cabin materials and finish are exemplary and unless you're seriously mis-shaped you're going to have no trouble getting comfortable. What's not so impressive is the dash; the switchgear is inconsistent in its design and as ugly as the car's exterior, while the ergonomics aren't as hot as you'd hope. Gone is the previous touch-screen multi-media system to be replaced by the Lexus take on i-Drive, which the company has branded Remote Touch. It's initially awkward, but familiarity is sure to make all the difference. If all this has got you reaching for your chequebook, the good news is that your local Lexus dealer is ready and waiting for your order. Lexus hopes to shift 3000 RXs each year, and while prices are generally higher than for rivals such as BMW's X5 and the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, equipment levels are also rather higher too. Opt for the entry-level RX 450h SE and you'll need to find £41,600; add sat-nav and that;s another £1970. Choose the range-topping SE-L Premium and your wallet will be £55,505 lighter. For those lucky enough to get an RX as a company hack, it's an even rosier picture thanks to the favourable tax rates for hybrids. Choose a Merc ML 320 CDi and you'll suffer a benefit-in-kind tax of 35%, while the new RX is just 14% – even the old RX came with a 23% liability. However, with Lexus developing its hybrids at the current rate, wait for RX v4.0 and the Government will probably be paying you to drive one, it'll be so green.
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