LEXUS HYBRID DRIVE REVEALED
Learn more about the main features of Lexus Hybrid Drive and how it works to deliver impressive levels of power, fuel efficiency and refreshingly low emissions. Click on the buttons below to view animated demonstrations of each feature.
HIGH PERFORMANCE FROM HYBRID TECHNOLOGY
Lexus Hybrid Drive delivers outstanding performance in the LS 600hL, GS 450h and RX 450h. Each is equipped with a high performance, Quad Cam petrol engine working together with electric energy. So you have at your disposal the total power output of a larger engine, with the emissions and economy of a smaller one.
[View GS 450h Hybrid Technology Video]
ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
Enjoy the blissfully-smooth acceleration of a transmission that doesn't shift gears like a normal one. Instead, the Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) allows your speed to increase without interruption, while optimising the power of the petrol engine and electric motor, for better fuel economy.
[View E-CVT Video]
PLANETARY GEAR SET
Integral in the E-CVT is a Planetary Gear Set which manages the physical interaction between the petrol engine, electric-drive motor and generator. Despite its compact size, the Planetary Gear Set provides yet another important service: intelligently blending power from two sources.
[View GS 450h Hybrid Planetary Gear Set Video]
ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT
This is the brain of the hybrid system. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manages the power flow between the generator, battery and motor. By constantly monitoring various driving conditions, the ECU controls the planetary gear set to achieve the best available power and fuel economy from the powertrain.
[View GS 450h ECU Video]
REGENERATIVE BRAKING
When slowing down or braking, energy is lost in a normal vehicle - largely through the brakes creating heat. With Regenerative Braking, the Lexus Hybrid Drive system ensures as much energy as possible is captured, by using the electric drive motor as a generator. It captures the vehicle's 'kinetic' energy and converts it into electrical energy, which is then stored in the hybrid battery. This electricity is later put to good use by the electric drive motor to propel the vehicle.
[View Regenerative Braking Video]
GENERATE ELECTRICITY AS YOU DRIVE
You'll never have to plug in a Lexus hybrid powered vehicle. The petrol engine feeds power not only to the driving wheels, but also to the generator that charges the High Output 288V Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery. This stored electrical energy is then used to supplement the petrol engine when accelerating. For extra performance, a boost converter increases voltage to a maximum 650V, providing added power to the electric drive motor.