A full range of Lexus Hybrid Vehicles was on show at the UK Headquarters for Toyota Lexus housed in an extremely good looking building fronted with a water feature running the full length of the façade. We were greeted by David Crouch, PR Officer for Toyota Lexus who introduced us to their range of hybrid and newly launched performance vehicles.
    
As we entered the building a cavernous glass and steel purpose-built structure opened out before us, as shown on the left below. Opposite the gleaming façade a line of mature yew trees stand in juxtaposition to the world’s leading showcase for hybrid engine technology.

Toyota Lexus Hybrids
In the opening discussions the future ambitions for Toyota Lexus hybrid technology were revealed. A natural progression for hybrid engines is the extension of the range and upper limit of speed when operating in entirely electric mode. An exciting development is the trial of a ‘plug in’ hybrid engine which offers just that; the possibility of commuting daily without causing emissions. Currently a prototype hybrid engine using an overnight mains charge is attempting to achieve a greater range without drawing heavily on the petrol counterpart of the hybrid engine. This could enable the dream of an emission free daily commute for many.
    
Technically, this is the equivalent of producing an all electric car equipped with a back up petrol generator to supplement charge only when it is depleted. Every new generation of Toyota Lexus hybrids is a step closer to this ambition. The latest edition to the range is the Lexus LS600h is pictured centrally above. This is the first Lexus hybrid designed to operate with 4 wheel drive as the standard mode. The range of Lexus 4x4 vehicles was also on display with the RX400h. All of the Lexus hybrid 4x4 vehicles currently fall below the 225g/km excess London Congestion Charge (RX400h 192g/km). Currently, Lexus sells more hybrid cars than petrol only versions, testimony to the success of hybrid technology.
    

Development of the Hybrid Synergy Drive
Launched in 1997 the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) enabled a break from the traditional trade off between acceleration and fuel economy. Traditionally, more acceleration cost fuel economy but the Prius altered that paradigm, the Latin word itself meaning ‘ahead of its time’. An upgrade followed in 2003 with the development of the THS II system which has lead to the Hybrid Synergy Drive with which we are familiar today. The improvements in Hybrid design for the Toyota and therefore Lexus range are extensive and for the electric engine they include;

• 50% increase in motor output from 33kW to 50kW
• Greater efficiencies in hybrid transmission (i.e. the power splitting between petrol and electricity) increasing the voltage output from 274V to 500V.
• Enhancement of the electric engine through rotor strengthening to permit an increase from 6,500 to
  10,000 rpm
• Improvements in magnet configuration to an optimised V shaped design.

From their own literature, the electric motor is reported to be more powerful than most 1.2 litre petrol engines. The development of the THS II system has provided at least a 5% improvement in vehicle efficiency on the earlier Prius hybrid. The end result is the world’s best fuel economy in a production vehicle that has so far sold 900,000 worldwide.

   
The ‘Hybrid Lexus Limousine’
We also had the opportunity to test out the new ‘Hybrid Lexus limousine’. This extended wheel base version of the LS 600h L is £88,000 of pure luxury. Equipped with rear seats more at home in a first class flight cabin; the rear passenger seats have a central cluster panel of several controls enabling the full range of movement and reclining of seats for comfort. Below the miniature fridge for champagne there was a concealed compartment which housed two remote controls which governed the massage feature and entertainment system. The in-chair massage system allowed variations in the speed of vibrations, type of massage, area to be massaged and also style of massage: shiatsu, stretch, shoulder, back and vibration all with tempo and intensity settings.

The entertainment system comprised of a DVD player, with a drop down screen. Movie sound is through the stereo in 5.1 surround along with optional wireless head phones with independent volume controls. Both rear seats also had independent climate control which could sense the occupant’s body temperature and adjust the climate accordingly.
     
Lexus Performance Car Launch.
As a counterpoint to this technology SAE-UK had the opportunity to take the first road drive in the 417 horsepower Lexus IS F, on UK roads from April 2008. The F badge relates to the testing and development undertaken at Fuji Speedway in Japan. Consequently, the Lexus IS F is a car that delivers exceptional perfomance and handling, engineered to inspire and reward whether driven on the open road or on the track. Apparently, all the performance vehicles from Lexus will carry this F designation in the future. 0 – 60 in 4.8 the stacked quad tailpipes in deep rear bumper imply the power of the 5 litre V8 engine unit. The IS F also has one of the world’s most advanced 8 Speed Sport Shift transmission upshifting in 1/10 of a second.The Lexus IS F is capable of a top speed limited to 168mph.