Lexus has launched in Australia the world’s first hybrid petrol-electric luxury SUV - RX400h.
It offers a major alternative to conventional petrol vehicles and the growing number of diesels in the luxury SUV segment. RX400h is the second hybrid Lexus to be released this year, with at least one more to come in 2007.

The new vehicle employs three electric motors and a 3.3-litre VVT-i Quad Cam V6 to develop 200kW of power and return fuel economy of 8.1 litres/100km. It produces 192 grams/km of CO2 emissions, just 58 per cent of those of the nearest equivalent-capacity petrol engine in a competitor vehicle.

In addition, RX400h’s new Vehicle Dynamics integrated Management (VDiM) system can direct the rear electric motor to provide torque to the rear wheels to maintain vehicle stability.
VDiM has the added feature - over the VSC system in RX350 Sports and RX350 Sports Luxury - of steering torque assist.

Lexus expects the new hybrid to give the company additional impetus in the highly competitive market. Demand is expected to be incremental just as it has been for the recently launched Lexus GS450h hybrid sedan. Lexus has delivered more than 33,000 RX400hs in America - 22 per cent of total RX deliveries.

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