About the RX 400h

The RX 400h is the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle for Lexus. The gasoline-electric hybrid system has been named Hybrid Synergy Drive. Hybrid Synergy Drive means that the vehicle contains a gasoline engine and an electric motor for power. Two energy sources are stored on board the vehicle:

1. Gasoline stored in the fuel tank for the gasoline engine.
2. Electricity stored in a high voltage Hybrid Vehicle (HV) battery pack for the electric motor.

The result of combining these two power sources is improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. The gasoline engine also powers an electric generator to recharge the battery pack; unlike a pure all electric vehicle, the RX 400h never needs to be recharged from an external electric power source.




Depending on the driving conditions one or both sources are used to power the vehicle. The following illustration demonstrates how the RX 400h operates in various driving modes.

1 On light acceleration at low speeds, the vehicle is powered by the electric motor. The gasoline engine is shut off.

2 During normal driving, the vehicle is powered mainly by the gasoline engine. The gasoline engine is also used to recharge the battery pack.

3 During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline engine and the electric motor power the vehicle.

4 During deceleration, such as braking, the vehicle regenerates the kinetic energy from the wheels to produce electricity that recharges the battery pack.

5 While the vehicle is stopped, the gasoline engine and electric motor are off, however the vehicle remains on and operational.