2023 Lexus RX500h F Performance launches in Australia

This usually conservative luxury car maker is turning things on its head with a brand new model, which is unlike anything it has built before.

Lexus’ newest model shows just how far hybrids have come.

The Japanese brand has launched its new RX large SUV and headlining the range is the 500h F Performance model.

It signals a number of firsts for the brand, including the first time a turbocharged petrol engine has been combined with its tried and tested hybrid technology, resulting is the most powerful Lexus hybrid to date.

Lexus has debuted its new F Performance model.

The combination of a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors makes an impressive 273kW.

The company doesn’t provide combined torque figures for its hybrids, but adding the two electric motors with the petrol engine’s 460Nm makes for potent real world performance.

It also ditches the regular hybrid’s CVT auto for a six-speed unit.

All-wheel drive and adaptive suspension add to its appeal.

Lexus is also debuting its new torque distribution tech that makes for better body control and reduces lean through corners.

The RX500h F Performance has some impressive performance numbers.

It’s been a hit with buyers despite its $126,000 (before on-road costs) price tag, as it accounts for one quarter of preorders.

Lexus Australia boss, John Pappas, says the company hadn’t predicted the enthusiasm from buyers.

“We might have expected about 15 per cent and we are sitting at 25. It’s a new grade for us, that sits in between the F Sport and bridges the gap between the F line cars such as the RC F,” says Mr Pappas.

“It’s very positive early signs and performance is a core part of our DNA and we want to be able to try and evolve that F Performance line into other models.”

The strong response from buyers could see the punchy hybrids leak into other model line-ups according to Mr Pappas.

It is packed with equipment, too.

“I’d love to see F Performance go across the line-up. We don’t have firm plans on that yet, and early signs show there is a lot of appetite for those models.

“So if it becomes available we’ll be putting our hand up.” he says.

He also announced that the plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ would be joining the line-up at a later date.

“We are confident we are going to get the plug-in hybrid version of the RX, It’s just all about timing.”

Pappas says currently that model is being prioritised for markets with more stringent CO2 emissions targets.

The RX 450h+ uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, two electric motors and an 18.1kWh battery.

It also has a new torque distribution system for better handling at speed.

It can drive for up to about 50km on pure electric power and makes about 225kW.

It’ll be the brand’s second plug-in hybrid after Lexus launched the smaller NX450h+ last year.

The brand’s all new RZ electric SUV is due to land in Australia about May this year and is the brand’s first model built on a fully-electric platform.

But Lexus won’t be going all-electric anytime soon.

2023 Lexus RZ electric SUV.

Mr Pappas says while the company is headed that way it’s not something that happens overnight and in a country like Australia there are a lot of missing pieces.

Instead the company will focus on a diversified range that’ll feature hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles.

“I think hybrids are going to be great in the next five years, as we won’t have all the infrastructure set up over the next five years and there are so many challenges such as renewable energy, making them affordable, charging time,” says Mr Pappas.

“We don’t want to leave anyone behind. Electric cars have to be right based on practicality and depending on what people do and how they use their vehicles. But we will have a diversified approach.”

Originally published as 2023 Lexus RX500h F Performance launches in Australia