Test Drive Lexus RX since 2012 SUV

Lexus RX 450H. Fly of butterfly

Lexus RX 450H. Price: from $ 89200. On sale: since July 2009
Lexus Following the renewed gasoline RX 350 displays the second generation of the second generation of RX 450H. The first acquaintance with the new Japanese hybrid took place in the vicinity of the Magyar capital
Test pilot
Vladimir Makkaveev, 31 years old, car journalist, driving experience 12 years, personal car - Volvo C30
I sit behind the RX 450H steering wheel, press the START button, we translate the selector of the automatic stepless box to the Drive position and enjoy silence. It seems that Lexus and does not think to wake up. But it is necessary to remove the leg with the brake pedal, and the two-tone RX 450H is silent, like the Japanese butterfly of Omurasaki from the flower, slides from the parking lot of Budapest Airport Feriched on the highway.
The route is designed to simulate a mixed operation cycle. A short manipulation of the Remote Touch computer created in the image and similarity of the computer mouse, and a compensated fuel consumption diagram and the working circuit of the power plant, allowing the operation of actuating actuators and the RX 450H fuel in real time to monitor the operation of actuators and the RX 450H fuel.
In the depths of the Japanese hybrid, not one, but as many as three hearts with a total capacity of 299 liters. With. 249 horses from this herd accounts for a gasoline motor borrowed from RX 350. True, in the process of adapting the basic motor to a hybrid drive, designers had to fork out for tax from 28 horses. Unlike gasoline RX, in a hybrid instead of Otto cycle, the Atkinson cycle is used, which due to a slight power loss significantly reduces the engine temperature.
However, all the power and weight losses of the RX 450H are compensated by a hybrid drive constructed by a serial-parallel diagram that allows not only to use electromotors to increase the traction characteristics of the gasoline engine, but also to bring the car both gasoline and electric or both energy sources simultaneously. Rx change electromotors changed: exactly the same two electric motors with a capacity of 167 liters. With. front and 68 l. With. Rear stood on the first generation of the hybrid crossover RX 400H. The previous and capacity of batteries remained, except the batteries themselves somewhat modified for better cooling.
As a result, despite the formal reduction in the power of the gasoline motor and an increase in the mass of the car compared with RX 350 by 120-135 kg, the dynamic characteristics of the RX 450H are even better than the monogenic RX. Until a hundred, the hybrid is accelerated in just 7.8 ° C 0.2 with faster RX 350. The fuel consumption of the hybrid crossover is at times lower than the gasoline fellow. Until the 6.3 liters declared by the manufacturer at 100 km of mixed cycle during the Hungarian dough, we, of course, did not reach. But 6.8 liters per 100 km with a sufficiently comfortable mode of movement on the premium-segment SUV, the indicator is truly outstanding. The next day, overlooking the purity of the experiment in the Pest's traffic jams, we simulated a bidnight regime of a resident of the Russian metropolis. However, it was not possible to significantly increase the voraciousness of the hybrid. In the first cork, the gasoline engine fell asleep with a dead sleep, and the electric motors, as if afraid to wake him up, almost 1.5 kilometers quietly pushed Rx through the streets of the Hungarian capital. As a result, despite traffic, our entire 50-kilometer flight with a butterfly speed along the streets of Budapest, we barely spent 4.3 liters of fuel.
Features of operation
In operational terms, the differences in the hybrid Rx second generation from gasoline RX 350 is very small. The frequency is the same as the monogenic fellow of 10,000 km. And the battery life of the hybrid installation batteries, as in the case of the Mercedes-Benz lithium-ion drive, corresponds to the service life of the entire car. At the same time, according to the assurances of their creators, the negative impact on the environment in the future processing of batteries of the hybrids of hybrids has minimized. 99% of the components of batteries are processed.
One of the features of the Japanese hybrid operation are some limitations imposed when driving on electric motors. Although Lexus RX 450H and is able to overcome on the electr shirt without activating the gasoline engine up to 3 kilometers, but relax, in the hope of getting to the nearest refueling on electric motors, it is not worth it. The engineers of the manufacturer categorically prohibit the operation of a hybrid with an empty tank, as this may adversely affect the hybrid installation. But Russian frosts, according to the convicts of the Japanese, the new hybrid is nipple. Tests at minus temperatures up to 50 ° C did not reveal the battery capacity drops. Although with long-term operation in conditions of severe frosts of a certain reduction in the density of nickel-metal hydride batteries, it is most likely not possible to avoid.

Driving
Manipulating motors work schemes is very fascinating. In terms of controllability, practically not distinguished from gasoline RX.
Salon
The combination of seeming simplicity and maximum ergonomics give a typical Japanese approach to the formation of style.
Comfort
For the benefit of manageability, the suspension became slightly tougher than the first generation Rx hybrid.
Safety
10 airbags. 42% of parts are made of high strength steel.
Price
Prestige and innovation are always money.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ The possibility of complete autonomy of movement on electric motors, minimum fuel consumption, low CO2 emissions.
- Significant weight and volume of batteries.

Specifications
Brand and Model - Lexus RX 450H
Dimensions - 4770x1885x1685 mm
Engine - gasoline + 2 electric motors, 3456 cm3, 249/299 * hp / 6000 min-1
Transmission - automatic, stepless KP
Dynamics - Max 200 km / h; 7.8 s to 100 km / h
Competitors - BMW X5, Audi Q7

Our opinion
In Russia, every year, the percentage of hybrid sales in the total LEXUS increases by 78%. With the advent of updated models, these figures will only grow. After all, in contrast to the United States and Europe, our demand for hybrids is determined not so much by their economic and environmental TTX, how much fashion for innovative drive.

Posted by: Vladimir Makkaveev
 
 
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [July 2009]