The new Lexus RX will be the fifth generation of comprehensively improved models. Of particular note is the adoption of Lexus 's first new hybrid system. This system is equipped with a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo engine and front wheel motor, 6-speed AT (automatic transmission) and rear wheel motor. The biggest feature of
is the motor on the rear wheel side. Toyota 's Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is equipped with a small motor for the electric four-wheel drive (4WD) system "E-Four", but the motor of the new hybrid system has a higher output power.
Thanks to the four-wheel drive control system "DIRECT4", the high-power motor is placed on the rear wheels. DIRECT4 is a system that controls the distribution of drive force to the front and rear wheels based on driving conditions and road surface conditions. This is the technology adopted by Lexus’ first dedicated electric vehicle (EV) model, the “RZ”, and the new RX is the first to be equipped with an HEV.
uses information such as wheel speed sensor, acceleration sensor and steering angle sensor to change the driving force distribution between the front wheels: rear wheels = 100:0 to 20:80. Will help improve starting acceleration, steering stability and fuel efficiency . For example, when turning, the drive should be distributed closer to the front wheels from 70:30 to 50:50 at the start of the turn. Under the same conditions, with the RZ set at 75:25 to 50:50, it seems the drive distribution changes depending on the model and drivetrain.
The turbine engine used in the new HEV will also be used in Toyota's small SUV " Lexus NX" released in 2021, but this time a motor is added to make it an HEV. The 6-speed AT gearbox uses a clutch instead of a torque converter and is placed between the motor and the gearbox. The power loss is reduced by eliminating the torque converter, which is the same as the 8-speed AT used by Mazda in the new SUV "CX-60". The battery used is a "bipolar" nickel-metal hydride battery from Toyota's compact hybrid car "Aqua".
The "RX500h" equipped with a new hybrid system has four powertrains prepared for the new RX. "RX450h+" is a plug-in hybrid system (PHEV) equipped with a 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine, front and rear wheel motors, and a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 18.1kWh. "RX350h" is an HEV using a 2.5L engine and bipolar nickel-metal hydride battery. "RX350" is equipped with a 2.4L turbocharged engine .
The main core of the new Lexus RX is the change in the drive system, especially the newly designed Direct4, which is a four-wheel control technology specially designed for electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles. The system incorporates a new electric motor system "e-axle" to control drive force to all four wheels. It can vary power based on typical variables like vehicle speed and steering input, while providing the driver with more intangible satisfaction.
