Lexus Australia to launch NX 450h+ Luxury plug-in hybrid

SYDNEY: Lexus Australia will launch the NX 450h+ Luxury grade with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology in late September.

The NX 450h+ Luxury will be the third PHEV offered by Lexus Australia, following the arrival of the RX 450h+ Sports Luxury in April, providing greater choice for customers as part of the brand’s multi-pathway approach.

Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas said that the new NX 450h+ Luxury will allow more customers to transition to the improved performance and efficient powertrain technology offered by plug-in hybrid.

"Our plug-in hybrid technology offers the compelling blend of zero CO2 tailpipe emissions mobility for shorter everyday use, while still allowing longer road trips without having to stop to charge,” said Pappas.

Like the flagship NX 450h+ F Sport variant, the NX 450h+ Luxury is powered by the same 2.5-litre PHEV powertrain with intelligent all-wheel drive, providing a potent 227kW of combined power from the petrol engine and two permanent synchronous electric motors.

Paired with an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, the NX 450h+ offers 87km of electric-only driving range.

The air-cooled AC charging system uses a 6.6kW on-board charger which can charge the battery in as little as two and a half hours when using a 32A charging current, and around seven and a half hours with a 10A current.

The instant torque of the two electric motors and 227kW combined output helps propel the NX 450h+ Luxury from standstill to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds, while providing variable torque distribution between 100:0 and 20:80 front-rear.