With each iteration, and now generation, of its Hybrid Drive system, Lexus continues to push forward its hybrid technology to increase efficiency and performance of its vehicles. Now, nearly four years after the debut of the RX 400h, the world’s first hybrid-powered luxury vehicle, the new Lexus RX 450h brings a broad range of improvements designed raise the bar in the luxury sport utility class once again.
With improved efficiency as their first priority for the new RX, Lexus engineers also actively pursued better acceleration and enhanced drivability. Another key goal was to improve fuel economy in cold temperature driving, an area traditionally difficult for vehicles using batteries as a primary or supplementary power source.
“The Lexus Hybrid Drive in the new RX is a perfect example of how Lexus uses kaizen to improve its vehicles,” said Lexus Vice President and General Manager Mark Templin. “The engineers found ways to improve the efficiency in virtually every aspect of hybrid system. And when you improve efficiency, performance often follows.”
The new RX 450h gains improvements in fuel economy with EPA-estimated ratings of 28 mpg in the city and 27 mpg in highway (26 mpg on AWD) driving. Gains are even larger in cold weather driving conditions. Plus, there are tangible benefits to drivability, with torque increases where they are most beneficial and a new transmission control strategy that helps keep the engine in the most effective rpm range.
These substantial improvements are courtesy of several important changes to the RX’s Hybrid Drive system, each having prioritized goals (shown in parentheses) including:
* Basic engine improvements (increased power and fuel economy)
* Adoption of the Atkinson combustion cycle (improved fuel economy)
* Addition of a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system (improved fuel economy)
* A new exhaust heat recovery system (improved fuel economy)
* Reduced friction losses in the hybrid transaxle (improved fuel economy)
* Artificial Intelligence (AI) Shift control (improved performance/drivability)
* A new power control unit [inverter and DC/DC converter] (improved performance and fuel economy)
* Increased motor torque on front (MG2) and rear (MGR) motor/generators (increased performance)
* New ECO driving mode (improved fuel economy)
Read more HERE
Source: Lexus USA Newsroom
With improved efficiency as their first priority for the new RX, Lexus engineers also actively pursued better acceleration and enhanced drivability. Another key goal was to improve fuel economy in cold temperature driving, an area traditionally difficult for vehicles using batteries as a primary or supplementary power source.
“The Lexus Hybrid Drive in the new RX is a perfect example of how Lexus uses kaizen to improve its vehicles,” said Lexus Vice President and General Manager Mark Templin. “The engineers found ways to improve the efficiency in virtually every aspect of hybrid system. And when you improve efficiency, performance often follows.”
The new RX 450h gains improvements in fuel economy with EPA-estimated ratings of 28 mpg in the city and 27 mpg in highway (26 mpg on AWD) driving. Gains are even larger in cold weather driving conditions. Plus, there are tangible benefits to drivability, with torque increases where they are most beneficial and a new transmission control strategy that helps keep the engine in the most effective rpm range.
These substantial improvements are courtesy of several important changes to the RX’s Hybrid Drive system, each having prioritized goals (shown in parentheses) including:
* Basic engine improvements (increased power and fuel economy)
* Adoption of the Atkinson combustion cycle (improved fuel economy)
* Addition of a cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system (improved fuel economy)
* A new exhaust heat recovery system (improved fuel economy)
* Reduced friction losses in the hybrid transaxle (improved fuel economy)
* Artificial Intelligence (AI) Shift control (improved performance/drivability)
* A new power control unit [inverter and DC/DC converter] (improved performance and fuel economy)
* Increased motor torque on front (MG2) and rear (MGR) motor/generators (increased performance)
* New ECO driving mode (improved fuel economy)
Read more HERE
Source: Lexus USA Newsroom
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