Lexus Hybrid | High Performance Hybrid Range
RX 400h THE WORLD'S FIRST HIGH PERFORMANCE HYBRID SUV
The first car to achieve what conventional wisdom said was impossible: high performance with lower fuel consumption. By combining a 3.3-litre V6 engine with two high output electric motors, we created a high performance luxury SUV that's not only fuel-efficient but also produces 30% fewer emissions than its competitors.
GS 450h THE WORLD'S FIRST HIGH PERFORMANCE HYBRID SALOON
The main source of power in the GS 450h is a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, which alone produces an impressive 292 bhp. But when coupled with its high output electric motor, the GS 450h generates 335 bhp, and is capable of 0-62 mph in under six seconds.
LS 600h THE WORLD'S FIRST ALL WHEEL DRIVE HYBRID LUXURY SALOON
The ultimate expression of our pursuit of perfection. Launching in October this year, the LS 600h offers the highest levels of luxury and performance in our range. Its 5.0-litre V8 direct injection petrol engine and high output electric motor give you the power of 12-cylinders with the emissions you'd expect from six.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system combines the power of a petrol engine with the efficiency of electric motors. To put it simply, two power sources are better than one.
At low speeds, electric motors provide all of the car's power. So you get 100% torque for maximum acceleration. As your speed increases, the petrol engine takes over.
The Lexus Hybrid Drive system switches seamlessly between these two power sources, and automatically decides when to use one, or both at the same time. And when they are combined, our V8 engine, for example, can deliver all the performance of a V12.
The result is smooth, constant acceleration with no hint of lag, and a drive unlike any you've experienced before.
EXCEPTIONAL FUEL ECONOMY
Electric power works to enhance the fuel economy of our petrol engines in two ways.
First, in stop-start traffic, petrol isn't used while idling. That's because the engine doesn't cut in until your speed reaches around 20mph.
Secondly, the Regenerative Breaking System tops up the battery's power (so it never needs recharging). This power is cleverly recycled and used again when you accelerate, which means less petrol is needed to power the vehicle.
And it's why our hybrid cars offer better fuel economy than most diesel engines are able to provide in similar sized vehicles.
LOWER EMISSIONS
Because Lexus hybrid cars use less petrol than conventional cars, they obviously produce less CO2 emissions. But the environmental benefits don't end there.
Our advanced hybrid engines are also cleaner than diesel engines. That's because they produce no harmful particles as diesel engines do, and much lower levels of NOx (Nitrogen Oxide).
It means our hybrid vehicles can be found in much lower tax brackets for company car drivers. So the effects of lower emissions can be beneficial to your finances as well as the environment.
SILENT RUNNING
As soon as you press the start button, you'll notice a sound that's unique to our hybrid range - silence.
That's because at low speeds, or in stop-start traffic, our high performance hybrid cars run on silent, clean electric power alone. The silence remains unbroken as the car switches to the petrol engine. As you accelerate, the electric motor provides additional power, resulting in stepless and almost silent acceleration.
The lack of intrusive engine noise is because we design and engineer our engines to be as quiet as possible in the first place, rather than relying on soundproofing alone.