Lexus announces that sales of the “RX350″ in Japan started today and that sales of the “RX450h”* are to start in April.

RX450h “version L”		RX350

Both RX models are the latest versions of the RX, which was previously
unavailable in Japan.  Next-generation crossovers that merge the
luxurious ride and comfort of a sedan with the functionality of an SUV,
they offer, at the highest levels, the environmental and safety
performance demanded of 21st-century luxury vehicles.  They are based
on the concept of providing the superior excitement and driving comfort
characteristic of a Lexus vehicle.

The new arrivals include such features as an advanced hybrid system
with a V6 gasoline engine, the E-Four (electric four-wheel drive)
system for outstanding driving and environmental performance, as well
as a unique “dual-zone cockpit” that allows the driver to concentrate
on driving.  Other top-class features create a dynamism that sets the
vehicles apart from other SUVs while providing a strong sense of safety
and satisfaction.

* The “h” stands for hybrid and the “450″ refers to performance on par with that of a 4.5-liter conventional vehicle

Note: Products described in this and in any attached materials are for the Japanese market only.

Monthly Sales Target
650 units

Assembly Plant
Miyata Plant, Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices

*1 Prices listed do not include recycling fees
*2 Toyota Hybrid System II
*3 Super Intelligent, Electronically-controlled, Six-speed Automatic Transmission

Vehicle Outline

1. Next-generation Crossover Design

Exterior
The exterior design, based on the Lexus design philosophy “L-finesse”*,
combines a powerful wide-track stance with the sophistication
characteristic of a Lexus vehicle.

• The
  front consists of a single, solid form from the hood to the bumper. 
  The exterior frame of the front grille extends to the headlights, which
  have the unique Lexus “arrowhead” profile.
• The fender and wheel arch merge with the body to express a powerful form.
• The
  cabin, which provides ample interior and cargo space, features quarter
  pillars with unique lines and side windows with optical molding, while
  the chrome-plated under-door molding draws in the lower part of the
  body and expresses high quality.
• The smooth and simple door handles feature touch sensors.
• At
  the rear, the fender projects outward and then merges into the bumper,
  while clear-lens horizontal taillights create a silhouette that
  projects stability.  In addition, the adoption of a roof spoiler with a
  retractable rear-window wiper creates a clean look and excellent rear
  vision for the driver.

The front grill, front bumper, LED headlights, 19-inch aluminum wheels,
and other unique design features—as well as the use of the exclusive
“Lexus hybrid blue” on the symbol marks, the headlights, and the
combination taillights—serve to express the RX450h’s advanced hybrid
nature.  “Quartz White Crystal Shine”, a color that appears to change
depending on angle, lighting conditions and the position from which it
is viewed, is exclusive to the hybrid model.

*Created by combining “leading-edge” and “finesse” design concepts

Interior
A unique cockpit delivers superb visibility and creates an environment
that allows the driver to concentrate on driving, while the interior
design conveys a sense of openness.

• The HDD (hard disk drive) navigation system features a
  center-console-mounted “Remote Touch” interface that allows easy remote
  control of on-screen functions.
• The white organic electro-luminescence (EL) multi-information
  display boasts high contrast and outstanding visibility from a wide
  angle, and a multi-information switch for displaying and switching
  between various types of information.
• A heads-up display allows the driver to view a variety of
  information such as speed, lane information, and various warnings
  without the need for excessive eye movement.
• The multi-adjustable, electric driver’s and front-passenger seats,
  equipped with a cushion-length-adjustment function, provide proper
  support regardless of the occupant’s height.
• The distinctive design of the double-wishbone rear suspension provides five percent more cargo volume and easier loading.

2. Environmental and Driving Performance at Highest Level

The RX450h is equipped with an advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive system and
the E-Four system, which incorporates the first Lexus V6 3.5-liter
engine that runs on the Atkinson cycle.  Combined with a new inverter
with excellent cooling performance to raise fuel efficiency, the result
is the power of a 4.5-liter engine but with environmental performance
that is one of the best in its class in the world.

• The Atkinson cycle engine delays intake and compression timing to
  generate a high expansion ratio with low compression, thereby limiting
  pumping loss during intake.
• An exhaust-heat recovery system reduces engine warm-up time.
• A cooled exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) system brings the pressure
  in the intake manifold close to atmospheric pressure, thereby reducing
  piston pumping losses and improving fuel economy.
• The power control unit inverter element has a dual-side cooling
  structure, resulting in substantial size and weight reduction of the
  unit and increased torque.

The RX450h features a switch-engaged Eco-drive Mode that prioritizes
fuel efficiency by aligning driving force with accelerator use and by
putting the air conditioner into a low energy consumption mode.

Performance of Main Components of E-Four and THS II with Motor Speed Reduction Device

*Using both engine power and electric motor power (motor power is dependent on battery power); based on TMC calculations

The RX350 combines a V6 3.5-liter engine with a six-speed automatic
transmission.  The all-wheel-drive model features an Active Torque
Control system that optimizes torque to the front and rear wheels
depending on driving conditions, such as vehicle speed and road
surface, achieving both excellent fuel efficiency and responsive
handling.

Efforts were made to reduce CO2
emissions by improving fuel efficiency.  The RX450h has a fuel
efficiency of 16.8 km/l according to the JC08 test cycle of the
Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) and is
one of the first vehicles to meet the 2015 Japanese fuel-efficiency
standards.  (Under the old 10-15 test cycle, the RX450h has a fuel
efficiency of 18.8km/l.  The two-wheel drive RX350 has a fuel economy
of 9.7km/l under the 10-15 test cycle.)  All Lexus RX models have
emission levels 75% lower than the 2005 standards under the MLIT’s
Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles and all vehicles qualify for
incentives under the Japanese government’s Green Taxation System.

• Eco-VAS (Eco-Vehicle Assessment System)—Toyota’s original
  comprehensive environmental impact assessment system—was used to
  achieve an overall reduction in environmental impact from the vehicle. 
  Environmental targets were set at the initial vehicle development stage
  and a life-cycle assessment was carried out to achieve a reduction in
  air contaminants and CO2 from the vehicle throughout its life, from production and use to disposal.
• A review of the materials, processing methods and adhesives used
  for interior parts resulted in a reduction in the amount of volatile
  organic compounds used, thereby reducing the sometimes discomforting
  odors emitted from such compounds and also meeting relevant voluntary
  industry standards.

3. High-Quality, Sporty Cruising

A new trailing-arm double-wishbone rear suspension was developed to
achieve responsive handling and cruising stability along with an
exceptionally comfortable ride.

An auto-leveling function ensures vehicular stability through precise
control regardless of the number of occupants or amount of cargo.  In
addition, electronically controlled air suspension employing a
height-control system allows three heights to be selected according to
particular driving conditions.

When cornering, the RX450h’s electric active-stabilizer-suspension
system operates motors located in the center of the stabilizers to
maintain a proper banking angle, providing a highly responsive feel and
a smooth ride.

The exceptionally aerodynamic design contributes to cruising stability and excellent fuel efficiency.

• Surface-level-difference between the headlights, windshield, and
  body have been minimized and the outer mirrors have been shaped to
  optimize air flow.
• The adoption of a rear spoiler and a flatter
  underfloor—particularly the use of plastic covers on components beneath
  the body and the rear lower arm—reduce air resistance.
• The use of rectifier fins to adjust air flow below the body
  contributes to outstanding handling and cruising stability at high
  speeds.

4. Excellent Safety Performance

Safety features were adopted in line with the Integrated Safety
Management Concept*, which aims to create vehicles that do not cause
accidents.

• Side monitors that greatly expand field of vision (compared to
  earlier systems) are standard on all models.  The monitors enhance
  safety by enabling the driver to clearly view the area near the left
  side of the vehicle and avoid obstacles that may lie within the turning
  radius.
• Standard on all vehicles is the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated
  Management system, which integrates control of drive power, steering
  and braking to achieve ideal handling performance and high-active
  safety performance.
• The Pre-Collision System uses millimeter-wave radar to recognize
  possible frontal collisions.  The front-passenger and driver-seat
  seatbelts (Pre-crash Seatbelts) retract in anticipation of the
  collision, while the Pre-Crash Brake Assist system decelerates the
  vehicle to reduce collision damage.
• A total of 10 airbags—including dual stage Supplemental Restraint
  System (SRS) airbags that match the speed of airbag inflation to the
  front-end collision force and SRS knee airbags—surround and protect
  occupants.
• Front-seat active headrests that shift to a position to lessen
  stress on the neck and reduce the risk of whiplash injuries from a
  rear-end collision come standard.

*TMC’s safety technology and vehicle development
aims to provide optimal driving support based on driving conditions,
not only by integrating individual safety technologies and systems in
the vehicle, but also by adopting an infrastructure-respondent system
(infrastructure-to-vehicle) and using information obtained from
vehicles other than the driver’s (vehicle-to-vehicle), leading to the
realization of a vehicle that does not cause accidents.