Lexus F Sport Grade RX 450h breaks cover

Toyota’s luxury car maker Lexus has lifted the curtains off the new F Sport Grade RX 450h. The full hybrid SUV has gained sharp new looks, higher levels of equipment and an enticing F Sport trim version to increase its appeal. The 450h range comes equipped with a 3.5-litre, V6 engine that is mated to an electric motor. This gives a combined power output of 343PS. The SUV is also offered with a Sport Drive Mode that modifies the vehicle’s behavior dramatically, offering nimbler responses and less intrusion of traction control and stability control, letting the driver exploit the 450h’s full potential.

New trademark Lexus elements include the spindle shaped grille also seen at the 2013 Lexus GS saloon and the LF-LC concept coupe. Redesigned tail lamps add to the sporty character of the vehicle. The F Sport stands out with a deeper, more vertical front bumper and a dedicated mesh treatment, dark finished 19-inch alloy wheels and F Sport badging.

On the inside, significant tweaks have been made to the trim details. A bespoke steering wheel, incorporating a new selector switch for the hybrid system’s drive modes, and the operation of the remote controller has been revised. There is a tilt/slide sunroof across the whole range.

Toyota had announced that it would launch Lexus in India by 2013. The India bound Lexus SUV will lock horns with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes M-Class. UK prices for the F Sport RX 450h start at £44,495 (Rs 38.68 lakh) on road.

Currently, Lexus plans to bring in the LS 600h saloon and the RX 450h SUV as Completely Built Units (CBU)