Lexus shows off its first ever electric vehicle

Mere weeks since showing off a wild, futuristic concept version of a potential all-electric Lexus, the Japanese luxury car maker has revealed its first production-ready electric car.

This one is a little more prosaic — it’s based on the existing UX250h hybrid crossover. While it may not be all that wild to look at, this new UX300e does have the benefit of imminence — sales here should start in a little more than a year’s time.

The Lexus’s GA-C platform (closely related to the Toyota TNGA platform) has been designed with electric power in mind from the outset, to the UX300e crams its 54.3kWh battery in under the floor.

That means that cabin and boot space are essentially unchanged from those of the hybrid version, although the battery’s low-slung location does mean that ground clearance under the car has been reduced by 20mm. Go easy over speed bumps…

Actually, Lexus has said that it has altered the UX’s existing suspension to compensate for the changes in ride height and the extra weight of the battery, and that the battery’s position means that the centre of gravity is lower, benefiting handling and agility.

The body of the UX has been given some additional bracing to cope with the changes in weight and structure. The exterior styling hasn’t changed, although the UX300e does get a new set of aerodynamic alloy wheels.

Up front, the 2.0 litre petrol engine has been removed and replaced by a 150kW (204hp) electric motor. Lexus hasn’t given performance figures yet (although it does say there’s “a natural-yet-brisk acceleration character”), but it does claim a 400km one-charge range.

Now, that figure must be taken with the caveat that it’s calculated under the old (largely discredited) NEDC economy and range test.

Under the newer, more stringent WLTP test, that range will most likely fall closer to 300km.

Inside, there’s essentially no difference compared to the cabin of the regular hybrid UX250h, other than that the gearchange paddles, behind the steering wheel, now control the strength of the regenerative braking effect.

Lexus says that the UX300e has one of the most quiet cabins of any car, helped by the fact that there’s an active noise cancelling system, and extra sound insulation to counter the lack of engine noise.

The UX300e will go on sale in China, first (it will be shown to the Chinese public at next week’s Guangzhou Motor Show) in 2020 and should arrive on these shores in time for January 2021 car sales.