Lexus makes bold claims about RX 450h

After a preview at the Melbourne International Motor Show and overseas details emerging from the Geneva Motor Show, Lexus has finally revealed locally specific fuel economy and CO2 emission data for the new RX 450h.

The company is promising increased performance and reduced economy thanks to a new hybrid drive system. Lexus Australia chief executive John Roca claims the new car is in a league of its own on economy and emissions.

"Lexus RX 450h has but one rival -- the RX 400h it replaces," Roca says.

Claimed fuel consumption for the 220kW petrol-electric hybrid in local specification is 6.4L/100km while its emissions will be 150g/km. Those figures are only a minor increase over the European numbers of 6.3L and 148g.

Lexus has overhauled the outgoing 400h combined series/parallel hybrid system to gain the improvements, and claims the new car offers superior energy-saving over either conventional series or parallel hybrid drivelines. The hybrid system combines a petrol engine with two electric motors (one driving the front wheels and one driving the rear wheels) to give the car what Lexus claims is class-leading efficiency.

Roca is also confident the 450h will crack the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide top 10, a list currently filled with small cars including the Smart ForTwo and Toyota Prius. The 400h has been awarded a four and a half star rating under the scheme with its figures of 8.1L/100km and 192g/km.

"All-new RX 450h will be 20 per cent more efficient than the vehicle it replaces and yet is 10 per cent more powerful than the outgoing model," says Roca.

"Lexus anticipates that RX 450h will also achieve a five-star green rating from the Australian Government when launched."

One of the main reasons behind this improvement is the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine features a number of new features. Atkinson Cycle, Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation and Exhaust Heat Recovery are all utilised on the new engine to maximise the hybrid system.

Another key element of the improved efficiency is three new driving modes -- ECO, EV and SNOW. ECO manipulates the throttle to reduce aggressive inputs and monitors the air-conditioning to reduce strain on the engine and motors.

Lexus will reveal pricing and full specifications for the car closer to its Australian launch later this year.