Lexus hybrid conquers roof of Africa
29 June 2011
Lexus’ RX 450h has become the first full hybrid to conquer the formidable Sani Pass, revered as one of the most challenging pieces of road in Southern Africa. The editorial team at Leisure Wheels made it to the roof of Africa with little fuss in ominously quiet fashion.
Lexus South Africa set the challenge to the recreational magazine, claiming the RX 450h was more than just sophisticated shopping centre SUV. And what better place to give the full hybrid SUV the credibility it deserves than the mythical Sani Pass, an infamous stretch of “road” that has claimed numerous lives since the first vehicle scaled it in 1948.
The Leisure Wheels team encountered the pass this month in particularly challenging conditions, the stunning vistas of the Drakensberg and Underberg basin interspersed with frozen waterfalls, rocks and degraded surfaces. “We have always maintained the RX 450h is more capable than the market gives it credit for,” says Brian Hastie, General Manager of Lexus SA. “Its full hybrid technology is ideally suited to off-road work and towing thanks to its high and immediate torque characteristics afforded by its two electric motors.”
Lexus Hybrid Drive combines a powerful Atkinson Cycle 3,5-litre V6 petrol engine with two electric motors that work independently or in concert with each other depending on the conditions. The completely self-sustaining system means the RX 450h can operate either entirely in electric mode, driving with zero emissions and virtually no sound, or in combination of both power sources which allows it remarkable performance. Lexus calls it performance with conscience.
The sophisticated system dramatically lowers fuel consumption and emissions because the petrol engine only operates when required. It makes the RX 450h competitive with higher capacity petrol V8 SUVs by having a total system output of 220kW, while at the same time competing with the popular diesel market in this segment thanks to its high torque characteristics and low fuel consumption. The RX 450h returns 6,3 l/100km in a combined cycle with only 148g/km of CO2.
“The Lexus RX 450h represents a milestone in motoring engineering,” said Leisure Wheels. “It is not just a finicky thing of technological wonder and fashion that is restricted to tar and cities. It loves dirt roads, and it’s not scared of a few ruts and rocks and steep and slippery climbs, either. There is much more to this Lexus than meets the eye.”
Full hybrid technology offers impressive benefits to motorists, combining the best characteristics of both petrol and diesel models in one vehicle. The system is completely self-sustaining, meaning there’s no difference in running a hybrid to any conventional petrol or diesel SUV. Yet the technology goes a long way to making improvements to the environment, while saving motorists thousands of Rands annual in fuel bills.
“The fact that the RX 450h consummately conquered Sani Pass is testament to the robustness of the technology, too,” continued Hastie. “It is equally adept running in refined luxury in suburbia or at 2,865m at the summit of the gruelling Sani Pass.”
For more information on Lexus or to arrange a drive experience, visit www.lexus.co.za or alternatively, join Lexus on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LexusSouthAfrica.