Plus factor

Lexus Philippines has opened reservations for the RX 450h+ Premier, introducing plug-in hybrid technology to Toyota Motor Philippines’ official vehicle lineup for the first time.

Priced at P6,238,000, the new RX variant is scheduled to go on retail sale in December. It gives customers the option of charging the SUV from an external power source and driving on electricity for shorter journeys, while retaining a gasoline engine for longer trips.

That arrangement sets it apart from the conventional hybrid versions already offered in the RX range. Those models recover energy through braking and use their gasoline engines to help maintain battery charge. A plug-in hybrid carries a larger battery that can be recharged from a compatible home or public charger, allowing it to travel farther without running the engine.

The RX 450h+ Premier combines a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors and an 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery. Lexus quotes a combined system output of 309 PS and an electric-only driving range of up to 85 kilometers under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) test.

Once the battery’s plug-in charge has been used, the SUV can operate as a conventional hybrid rather than requiring the driver to find a charger immediately.

Lexus also quotes an estimated hybrid driving range of up to 787 kilometers, providing an alternative to depending entirely on the availability of public charging stations during provincial journeys.

For charging, the RX 450h+ Premier uses a Type 2 AC connection, supported by compatible home and destination chargers. Its onboard charger supports up to 6.6 kW, with a stated charging time of about two and a half hours under suitable conditions.

Lexus says charging will also be available at Lexus Manila Gallery, selected Toyota dealerships and partner destinations. The convenience of a plug-in hybrid, however, will depend largely on how regularly owners can recharge it. Without that habit, much of the advantage of having a larger battery may go unused.

Lexus Philippines senior vice president Sherwin Chua-Lim said the introduction fits Toyota Motor Philippines’ approach of offering several types of electrified vehicles. The company has already brought hybrid and fully electric models to local buyers, with the RX 450h+ Premier adding another choice.

The new variant retains the appointments expected of the RX, including semi-aniline leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with memory, a panoramic moonroof and power-folding rear seats.

Its dashboard features a 14-inch multimedia screen, smartphone connectivity and a head-up display that projects selected driving information within the driver’s line of sight. A 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system is also included.

Safety equipment includes Lexus Safety Sense 3.0, a collection of driver-assistance features, along with advanced parking assistance. Adaptive Variable Suspension adjusts the damping of the shock absorbers to help balance ride comfort and body control.

The RX 450h+ Premier will appear at selected Lexus events ahead of December sales. Owners can drive it without plugging in, although those who make charging part of their routine will get the most use from its larger battery and electric-only driving capability.