Lexus has officially entered the Indian car market with the launch of three of its new models, the ES 300h, RX 450h and the LX 450d. Out of the three, the RX is available in two variants which are fully hybrid models.
Lexus had attempted to enter the automobile market in India in 2013, however the plan was pulled back due to steep import duties. Now, the Government of India is providing incentives to promote hybrid and electric vehicles in India. The government also aims for rolling out around 6-7 million electric/hybrid vehicles on Indian roads by 2020. These new government provisions could make conditions favourable for the Japanese brand to enter India.
All Lexus models launched in India will initially be imports and will be brought through the CBU (Completely Built-Up) route. However, the company will eventually assemble the models in India. Prices of Lexus models are higher when compared to imported models of other brands. It had been anticipated that Lexus would bring in a niche segment of cars in India, but prices went above those expectations. One of the reasons for Lexus being expensive is that Yen is currently strong in the international market.
The cars
The Lexus ES 300h is based on the Toyota Camry Hybrid as it shares its engine and platform. However, the ES 300h is more of a premium sedan as it is offered with a host of features inside and out. The company has equipped the sedan with convenient features such as electric sunroof, cruise control, electrically adjustable driver seat and much more. It also comes with high quality seat upholstery. Similarly, the exterior of the ES 300h gets an aerodynamic roofline that provides improved efficiency.
The Lexus Hybrid system promises higher fuel efficiency without compromising the power and performance. The system transfers electric energy to the wheels on lower speeds, which also makes for noiseless acceleration. On higher speeds, the petrols engine powers the wheels. The systems optimises charge from the electric batteries and power from the engine to provide smooth acceleration and higher fuel efficiency.
The LX 450d is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser and also gets premium equipment both at the exterior as well as interior.
While braking, the Lexus Hybrid Drive system prevents wastage of energy by converting kinetic energy into electricity which is then stored in the batteries. Even when in idle, unlike regular cars, Lexus Hybrid system cuts power from the petrol engine which saves fuel and cuts down on emissions.
The LX 450d is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser and also gets premium equipment both at the exterior as well as interior. It is powered by a 5.7 liter V8 VVT (Variable Valve Timing) with intelligence and Electronic intake valve timing (VVT-iE) engine that produces 383 hp of power.
Also read: Lexus enters India, launches ES 300h, RX 450h and LX 450d
The Lexus LX 450d gets a host of safety, navigation and performance technologies that make it a true off-roader. One can also customise the cabin as per requirement. The cabin of the SUV has ample space. For entertainment, Lexus offers dual wide-screen rear-seat entertainment system.
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