Lexus has embraced hybrids more readily than any almost other brand. Yet it hasn’t ever sold a plug-in hybrid. But will soon.

HAVING turned almost 70 percent of Lexus buyers toward petrol-electric, Lexus has a new plug: Literally.

The Toyota luxury brand has confirmed today that the new generation of its NX compact sports utility will be headed by the marque’s first plug-in hybrid model.

The $107,900 NX450h+ will launch in the second quarter of 2022 in trendy F-Sport trim.

That timing will have it arrives a couple of months after introduction of the refreshed NX350h front and all-wheel-drive Limited editions, which are priced at $92,700 and $101,900.

The plug-in car uses the same mechanicals as the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a variant once nominated for NZ sales involvement this year but now seemingly lost in transit.

It is the second mains-replenished Lexus sold here, following the fully battery-dedicated UX300e whose release is just weeks away.

A combined output of 227kW (Lexus does not provide torque outputs for its hybrids) makes the plug-in model the most powerful Lexus NX so far.

Yet perhaps the real attraction will be the efficiency, with a factory-claimed ultimate economy of 1.3L/100km combined and 87km of electric driving range.

The figures come from testing to the NEDC scale, which has been superseded now. Also cited for the model is a super-low CO2 count of just 20grams per kilometre, achieved when everything’s operating optimally.

The model takes a 136kW/227Nm 2.5-litre non-turbo Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine, paired to a 134kW/270Nm electric motor on the front axle, a 40kW/121Nm motor on the rear and an 18.1kWh battery. The car is good for a 6.3-second 0-100kmh time.

It packs four electric-specific drive modes. As the name suggests, ‘EV Priority’ locks the car in electric mode. ‘Auto EV/HV’, meantime, picks the best power system based on condition. ‘HV’ maintains a set state of battery charge in efficient driving. ‘Battery Charging’ is going to be the one that uses the most fuel as it uses the petrol engine to charge the battery if it lacks sufficient energy to power the vehicle on electricity alone.

The derivative’s E-Four all-wheel drive system can send up to 100 percent of the torque to the front wheels, or 80 percent to the rear, while standard-fit adaptive suspension will offer a Sport S plus damping mode.

Lexus says this NX is 95 percent different to the old and say the type will present as a leap forward in dynamic performance, with the attribute of a “greater and more rewarding connection between driver and machine.”

“The new NX is a massive step forward for Lexus in both technology and electrification,” according to Lexus New Zealand general manager Andrew Davis.

“With the addition of the PHEV to our overall range we take another step forward on our carbon neutral journey, now having a HEV, BEV and PHEV offering for customers.”

He suggests this NX has brought about a major change in Lexus’ approach to new vehicle development, applying digital modelling and computer techniques for smarter engineering that can achieve a higher level of quality assurance. “At the same time, the takumi (craftsman)-led skills of the human hand, ear and eye remain essential to achieving the highest sensory quality.”

More than 68 percent of Lexus sales this year have been in hybrid form, a near 26 percent increase from last year.