insideKENT Magazine Issue 24 - March 2014 | Page 137

I like this philosophy immensely. This is the sort
of thinking that has led to great pioneers in every
industry, including the automotive one. A bit like
the high jump guy that decided to do it
backwards.
Which is why, regardless of any accusations of
being sensible and efficient, you have to admire
Lexus. Compared to the many other popular
manufacturers/regurgitates of diesel-powered
SUVs out there, Lexus are the Black Sabbath of
the car industry, taking the SUV entirely in their
own direction. Not only do they demonstrate an
almost evangelical viewpoint when it comes to
hybrid technology, they've practically invented
their very own genre of car as a result.
Probably the single most salient example of this,
is that the latest offering of their famous RX – a
car that has in various guises been around over
half has long as Lexus has been in business – is
only offered in hybrid form. Not a diesel version
in sight; this is revolutionary stuff!
Conceptually, hybrid technology is pretty
straightforward. Some of the car's power is
provided by a petrol engine, and some by electric
motors. Different motors get used at different
speeds. And that's about it.

Except that Lexus have been developing this
technology for about ten years, and have come
up with a system that is absolutely ingenious.
And in yet another flourish of true Lexus
understatement, they've opted to hide away all
of that energy-saving cleverness inside a (to
quote Zoolander) really, really, ridiculously good
looking car.
Retaining some of the ruggedly handsome looks
and well-designed proportions of its predecessor
gives the RX a reassuring familiarity, while at the
same time, Lexus have updated the car enough
to make it look thoroughly modern and cuttingedge.
A clean, streamlined body shape with resulting
low-drag; a stylish new grille sporting the familiar
blue and silver 'L'; and the sweeping lines and
matching angles on the rear screen, rear lights
and rear side windows give this car an almost
modernistic architectural feel. The F-Sport model
we road-tested sat astride some magnificent 19”
alloy wheels, yet it doesn't look bulky and
cumbersome. Instead it looks sleek, elegant and
fun – which it is!
Inside the RX 450h F-Sport you are treated to
something really rather special. High-class
materials are used throughout, giving a truly

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sumptuous look and feel to everything sit-able,
touchable and pressable. The seats are comfy,
easily adjustable and are placed nice and high
up, giving a good view of the road and no
backache on long journeys. Visibility is further
aided by some clever side and rear cameras,
making this a very easy-to-park SUV. A central
digital colour screen, aligned perfectly with the
driver's eye, and partially controlled using a very
cool little square joystick, provides the usual
prerequisite information and entertainment. In
addition, the in-car sound system with its nine
or so speakers was capable of pumping out the
tunes very nicely indeed.
And with 496 litres of boot space, there's plenty
of room for stuff. All in all, this car is a very nice
place to while away some time on both long or
short journeys.
Lexus have worked hard since introducing their
first hybrid SUV in 2004, in a bid to make the
models less milk-floaty and more car-like. The
resulting drive system for the 450h really is
staggering in its complexity and des Yۋ