Currently, a google search of ‘Lexus in India’ throws up a website of a diamond cutter based in Gujarat, but that might just change. After years of contemplating launching the luxury car brand in the country, Toyota seem to be doing something about it. The luxury car market is currently dominated by the German big-three and British marque Jaguar and has grown exponentially in recent years. Lexus will be displaying a few of their cars, mostly petrol-hybrids at Auto Expo 2016 and this might just be a sign of good things to come. Here are some of the products that are likely to be on display.
Lexus ES Hybrid
The ES Hybrid has a 2.5-litre in-line four cylinder engine combined with an electric motor to make 197bhp. It features regenerative braking and also has a CVT transferring drive to the front wheels. Claimed fuel efficiency is 17kmpl. The ES Hybrid is an entry-level luxury sedan and belongs to the same segment as the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4. Except, none of them come with a hybrid option.
Lexus GS Hybrid
The Lexus GS Hybrid is a larger luxury sedan and is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that makes 333bhp. With a 0-100kmph time of 5.6s and a top speed of 220kmph despite being a hybrid, this car is no slouch. The transmisssion is a CVT and it sends power to the rear wheels. The claimed fuel efficiency is 13.18kmpl. Positioned above the ES saloon, this car will take on the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Audi A6.
Lexus NX Hybrid
This petrol-electric hybrid SUV houses a 2.5-litre in-line four cylinder engine along with an electric motor that makes a total of 191bhp. Lexus claim that it can accelerate from a standstill to 100kmph in 9.1s, and still maintain a fuel economy of 14kmpl. Like all Lexus, this SUV is boasts of radical styling, and this is something the Indian consumer has to get accustomed to. The transmission is an electronically controlled CVT. Internationally, it is available with FWD as well as AWD. With seating for five, it falls into the same segment as the Q5, the X3 and Range Rover Evoque.
Lexus RX Hybrid
The base-spec hybrid RX is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 and an electric motor that pumps out a total of 303.7bhp. This SUV too is powered by a CVT and puts up a 0-100kmph time of 7.7s. Both FWD and AWD versions are produced, the AWD versions have an additional electric motor powering the rear wheels. The RX slots into the same segment as the Mercedes-Benz GLE. The RX Hybrid is the best-selling Lexus Hybrid internationally.
Lexus LX
Alright, this isn’t a hybrid but there is a high chance Lexus will display this massive SUV at Auto Expo 2016 to satiate our SUV-crazy country. With a massive 5.7-litre V8 stuffed under the hood, the SUV makes 377bhp and 403Nm of torque which is sent to all four wheels via an eight speed automatic gearbox. It also features a limited-slip centre differential which can be locked manually. This eight-seater mammoth is takes on other full-size SUVs like the Q7 and GL-Class.