New Lexus Hybrid SUV to Go on Sale April 15

New Lexus HEV is Garnering Thousands of Pre-Orders

April 15, 2005 could be considered one of the most significant days in Lexus history. Why? It is the day Toyota's luxury

Lexus executives are circling April 15, 2005 on their calendars, as that marks the day the much anticipated Lexus RX 400h goes on sale. (Photo: Lexus)

division begins selling a vehicle that will point the nameplate in a new direction with regards to performance-oriented powertrains.

The RX 400h, derived from the brand's best-selling RX 330 crossover sport utility, makes use of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, combining electric and gasoline engines to improve fuel efficiency while reducing emissions.

But unlike the automaker's popular Prius HEV, the RX 400h uses its hybrid-electric drivetrain to improve performance over the conventionally powered RX 330. By how much? Lexus states the 400h produces 270 horsepower, which puts it into the league of

Not only will the hybrid Lexus SUV deliver better fuel economy and enhanced emissions, but a considerable improvement in performance as well. (Photo: Lexus)

V8-powered drivetrains offered by rival carmakers. Incidentally, the new electric motors will rotate at 12,000 rpm, which is twice the rpm of the electric motor in the Toyota Prius. Motors? Yes, the 2x4 model will have two electric motors while the all-wheel drive version will have a third electric motor in the back.

"Amazingly, the 400h will also deliver combined-fuel-efficiency that will be significantly better than the current-EPA-average for a four-cylinder compact sedan (about 8.6 L/100 km or 27.4 mpg)," said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager, adding that the "SUV's driving range should exceed 966 km (600 miles) on a tank of gasoline."