Lexus landed in Spain in 1993 but its foundation dates back to 1989. The brand’s foundations were devised in the Toyota offices and under a premise full of intentions: to create a vehicle that was better than the best in the world. The mantra of Eiji Toyoda, president of the company in 1983, has structured the decisions of a manufacturer known for its avant-garde and respect for the environment. The Circle F project, which ended up becoming a reality in the Lexus LS400, a sedan with elegant design and premium finishes that conquered the European market in the early 1990s. However, the engineers of the premium firm Toyota knew that the way was opened by another clear: the segment of the SUV’s. In addition, climate change began to be a palpable reality and concern about emissions ceased to be a matter for ecologists and hippies. The same firms that bet on launching a premium firm gave the green light to the creation of the first self-charging hybrid SUV: the Lexus RX 400h. It became, de facto, automobile history.
The Lexus RX 400h perfectly represents the innovative spirit of the firm. What’s more, they managed to meet multiple milestones with a single launch. Lexus considers that the RX is the first premium SUV in the world, a vehicle that was born as such and not based on an evolution of the market. It was introduced in 1998, as the manufacturer’s first crossover, and also took the medal for the first premium car with hybrid technology in 2005 . Since then, this model has added about half a million units produced. In addition, it is considered the forerunner of the current Lexus range, with models such as the NX and UX alongside the seven-seater version of the RX L. Fifteen years later, the firm takes the next step with the UX 300e and its 100% electrified platform.
The Lexus Pioneer
It is difficult to give recognition to the first brand that created an SUV. Premium manufacturers got ahead of the generalist segment out of sheer necessity. SUV customers began to demand more comfortable and dynamic models for their mountain getaways. Thus arose ranges such as the Audi Q or the BMW X. However, the Toyota RAV4 is one of the pioneers of the segment and, therefore, the Lexus RX. In 1994, development began on a vehicle capable of on-road performance and a luxury saloon with the off-road capabilities of an off-road vehicle. It also had to have a high driving position and enough habitability for a family. The first sketches saw the light of day at the 1997 Chicago Motor Show, when the SLV (Sport Luxury Vehicle) was unveiled .
In 1998 the first Lexus RX was launched but hybridization soon became a priority for the firm’s engineers. The Toyota Prius was already rolling around the world, showing the benefits of an electrified system, so that the potential was under one roof. Adapting such a solution was somewhat arduous and it was not until 2005 that they were able to introduce Lexus Hybrid Drive technology in the first RX 400h . This model began a transition that has reached all the models of the premium brand and is in its fourth generation of development.
15 years later
Lexus Hybrid Synergy Drive technology managed to maintain the optimal performance of the RX 400h, with pleasant driving sensations and consumption typical of smaller engines. This system was capable of operating in electric mode, gasoline or combining both engines, with a combined power of 270 hp . Force that was distributed between the 3.3 liter thermal block of 211 CV and the two electric ones, of 167 CV at the front and 68 CV at the rear. It was a completely new package, based on what the Toyota company had done on the Prius to date, providing intelligent, all-electric traction.
A new era had begun. Since then, Lexus has not stopped researching and evolving the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which we talk about in this article. This relentless search for improvements provides a circulation of up to 60% without the gasoline engine taking action, a figure that has been increasing since 2005. The range has also grown like foam, expanding its reach from a single hybrid model to the current 10 bodies. They started with the 2009 LX 450h with an automatic gearbox capable of manual operation and an average fuel consumption of 6.3 l / 100 km. The third generation of the hybrid RX was presented in 2015, with a significant reduction in consumption to 5.2-5.5 l / 100 km and the appearance of the seven-seater version in 2018. Last 2019 it was updated with slight aesthetic touches , more equipment and some other change in the frame.
