Test Drive Lexus RX since 2012 SUV

His life

It is believed that the combination of high speed characteristics, economy and environmental friendliness in one car is impossible. Recommending Lexus RX400H, the world's first hybrid premium parckarter, Toyota proved the opposite.

It looks like this is the familiar Lexus RX300, the set of which is wheeling on the roads of our planet. But in fact, the RX400H car is unique. As no other, he lives his own, unknown inexperienced life. The mystery lies in the H symbol, meaning that Lexus RX400H hybrid. BR-R, it sounds not very. Something like cyborg. Meanwhile, it is just evidence of the use of a benzoelectric power plant.

Toyota hooked on hybrid technology more than seven years ago and runs them on more than 120 thousand cars. The most visual example of PRIUS passenger. Now here appeared all-wheel drive Sport Utility Vehicle. Based on the popular RX300, the hybrid version is indexed as four hundred to reflect significantly greater power than the gasoline fellow. Thus, the return of the hybrid power tandem (3.3-liter V6 and two electric motors on the front and rear axle) is 270 hp, which is more than 70 horses exceeds the figure of three hundred. In addition to the three motors, the components of the high-intelligence power plant are a generator, a planetary power distribution mechanism, an electronic control unit for power units and high-voltage nickel-metal hydride battery (by the way, calculated for the entire service life of the car).

After turning the ignition key RX400H begins its secret activity. When moving from place and movement on a small (approximately 10 km / h), only electric motors are used. The car is silent, like a ghost, removes anchor. Pressing the gas pedal activates the main engine (automatic launch is accompanied only by muffled extraction), which, in combination with both eletromotors and, accordingly, in the full drive mode provides smooth overclocking. Outless, by the way: 7.6 seconds to hundreds of 1.4 are better than the easier RX300. The battery additionally supplies the electromotors of the previously accumulated energy, increasing the potential of the gasoline motor.

With uniform movement, for example, on the highway, Lexus becomes front-wheel drive. Now the main engine works, through the generator feeds the front electric motor. Due to the excessive power V6, the battery is also recharged. Of course, it does not require stationary recharging. And the control system is vigorous to ensure that the battery resources are not dried.

When braking (a four-wheel drive is involved), the electric motors are moving into recovery mode, transforming kinetic energy into electrical, which accumulates in the battery. It is worth stopping, and the gasoline engine is automatically turned off to save fuel. If you have left included, say, climatic installation or headlights, then the V6 will be periodically started to recharging.

Without taking into account the hybrid specificity of RX400H, it differs little from the gasoline fellow: the same feedback of the steering wheel, the same informative brakes, a compromise-comfortable suspension ... Is that an additional hybrid heart thrust creates the impression of a more powerful engine than it really is. Electric lexus accelerator is akin to turbocharger. But if the turbine often sins failures, then in this case the energy is transmitted lightning. The effect enhances the stepless transmission, distributing the traction force to the wheels in one breath. It is curious that RX400H with an average fuel consumption of 8.0l / 100 km by a third more economically RX300.

Inside the car is akin to the same RX300. A smallness is rethought design of the instrument panels and a transmission selector. The seventhuminous information display may, among other auxiliary references, issue a graph of energy consumption with the number of charging machine produced or the functional scheme of the aggregates at the moment. Due to the small size and competent layout of the nodes (battery, for example, hidden under the rear seat), the dimensions of the cabin and the trunk correspond to the numbers of the three hundred.

Machine's creators also assure that due to a modified suspension and a new system of control over traffic dynamics (VDIM), which binds together ABS, a tract control, a system of exchange rate stability, an electric power steering, an accelerator, transmission and is distinguished by extreme speed, the car's manageability is significantly improved.

By the way, no matter how externally RX400H reminds nor a gasoline fellow, it can be identified by original optics, personal design of the lining of the radiator and the wheels.

Despite its electrical essence, the hybrid did not lose excellent off-road qualities: it confidently climbs on mountains and forces lubric puddles. In general, the machine is notable. Expensive, truth. For Russia, the price of $ 77,300 ($ 11,000 is more expensive than the maximum packed RX300), but taking into account extraordinary qualities and efficiency, besides, Toyotovsky engineers claim that the reliability and performance in the harsh winter conditions the new hybrid SUV is not different from the usual.

It remains to mention the purity of the exhaust, corresponding to the strict standards of Euro-4, thanks to which, by the way, the car is in high demand from the Americans turned on the ecology.

For us, no matter how surprisingly, a solid package of preliminary orders has already been formed. Probably because, although Lexus RX400H lives his life, it is able to improve the life of his owner to a large extent.

Technical characteristics of Lexus RX400H

Curb weight, kg 2040
Full weight, kg 2505
Dimensions, mm:
- Length 4755.
- Width 1845.
- Height 1670.
Base, mm 2715
Trunk volume, l 439
Maximum speed, km / h 200
Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, from 7.6
Fuel control, l / 100 km:
- urban cycle 9.1
- Country 7,6
- Mixed 8,1
Engines:
- type of benz., V6, 24-valve; Front and rear electric motor
- Working volume, cm3 3311 //
- Power, KW at min-1 155/5600; 123/4500; 50/46105120.
- Society. Power. Hybrid. Power plant, hp 272.
- torque, nm at min-1 288/4400; 333/01500; 130/0610
Transmission electron., Stepless, four-wheel drive
Tire size 235/55R18
Suspension wheels (front and rear) McPherson
Brakes (front / rear) disc., Vent. / Disc.
Steering Gear Rake, with EUR
Price, $ 77 300

Text: Igor Kuznetsov
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [07/2005]