Luxury SUV Turns Green

I spent an interesting day recently with the folks from Lexus. They were keen to show off a luxury SUV that treads much more lightly upon Mother Earth than conventional rigs. And because I prefer mid-size SUVs over sedans and wagons, due to their increased ability to access ski hills and carry outdoor gear into remote locales, I was all ears when Lexus Business and Innovations Manager, Ritchie Lilly, told us about the new hybrid RX 400h.

Lilly first assured us that to be a Lexus, a hybrid SUV must lead the way in sophistication and technology - and without question, the RX 400h does. The level of technology, electronic and mechanical, seamlessly at work throughout the vehicle is quite stunning.

To be a Lexus, a hybrid SUV must lead the way in sophistication and technology - and without question, the RX 400h does. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

The RX 400h is what is referred to in the industry as a "full hybrid," meaning its gas and electric power systems can function independently of each other, or together. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

The combining of the RXs gas and electrical modes of power generation into an all-wheel drive configuration through an electronically- controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) is labeled Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) by Lexus. This system makes the most efficient use of the vehicles 3.3-liter V6 gas engine and the two accompanying high-torque electric drive motors to hustle the good-sized SUV from 0 to 60 mph in

A peculiar aspect of the 400hs full-time all-wheel drive setup is the absence of a driveshaft connecting the front wheels to the rear wheels by way of a transfer case. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

A peculiar aspect of the 400hs full-time all-wheel drive setup is the absence of a driveshaft connecting the front wheels to the rear wheels by way of a transfer case. Instead, the rear wheels are powered strictly by the electrical side of the hybrid house, with the use of an electric motor/generator configuration set mid-point in the rear axle. As with most modern all-wheel drive

The typical gas-powered vehicle achieves an energy efficiency of roughly 14 per cent. Lexus has taken every step possible to improve upon that. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

Conventional gasoline-powered vehicles achieve a pathetic level of efficiency in terms of energy produced and wasted. As I recall, the typical gas-powered vehicle achieves an energy efficiency of roughly 14 per cent. Lexus has taken every step possible to improve upon that. For example, in the RX 400h, the power steering mechanism and air conditioning apparatus are electronic,

Lexus engineers burned the midnight oil when designing the sophisticated hybrid system powering the RX 400h. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press)

When it comes to the judicious use of electrical power, the 400h conserves all it can, its LED tail and brake lights being but one example. And thanks to its all-wheel drive configuration, regenerative braking from all four wheels kicks a healthy dose of recharge back to the wafer-thin hybrid battery pack, which resides on the floor under the back seat.

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