First Lexus BEV in NZ this year

Lexus New Zealand says the UX 300e – the brand’s first battery electric vehicle (BEV) – is expected here at the end of 2021.

Customers can register their interest now at their Lexus dealership to be one of the first to receive the new EV which provides up to 150kW of power and 300Nm of torque delivering 400km range.

The local Lexus dealer will take down customer details when they register an interest and will contact them when the price is available.

“Lexus has chosen the UX platform as the first of its range to carry the much-awaited pure electric technology,” Lexus New Zealand general manager Andrew Davis says.

“As the smallest Lexus SUV, this makes the UX300e an accessible luxury battery electric SUV.”

 Davis says the UX 300e is the first of many new electrified Lexus models which will ultimately contribute to the decarbonisation of the national vehicle fleet – a key objective of the NZ government.

The Lexus UX 300e harnesses more than 15 years of Lexus expertise in electric motor, battery and energy management development, giving the UX line up a petrol, hybrid and full BEV option.

By 2025, Lexus globally plans to introduce 20 new or improved models, including more than 10 electrified BEV, PHEV or HEV models.

“We don’t see an immediate jump to BEV for all drivers,” Davis says.

“We expect that as Lexus drivers upgrade over time they will continue to purchase vehicles that meet their needs. Our role is to be able to provide these vehicles in the most fuel efficient and low carbon-emitting way.”

The Lexus UX 300e will become the flagship UX and build on the successful luxury compact UX 200 petrol and UX 250h hybrid electric variants that have been on sale in New Zealand since early 2019.

The UX 300e will be built at Lexus’ Kyushu plant, with production overseen by ‘Takumi’ master craftspeople ensuring attention to detail in build quality, comfort and quietness.

Leather accented seats are based on a design inspired by ‘sashiko’, a traditional Japanese quilting technique which brings both strength and a distinctive style to the upholstery.

 The UX 300e benefits from high body rigidity and low centre of gravity provided by its GA-C platform to maintain excellent handling stability.

Suspension has been tuned to target the same high steering response and high-quality ride comfort as the UX 250h, while shock-absorber damping force has been optimised to match the additional battery capacity.

A Drive Mode Select function is designed to assist management of smooth acceleration and deceleration. Paddle shifters can be used in a similar manner to engine braking, providing four levels of deceleration regeneration.

The UX 300e takes about an hour for DC fast charging.

Lexus Hybrid electric sales have increased 168% since 2018 and this year 70% of New Zealand Lexus customers have chosen a hybrid electric model, Lexus New Zealand says.