Lexus Insights 11th Edition

LEXUS RZ ELECTRIFIES DEMAND THE ELECTRIFICATION ISSUE

With the launch of the all-new purpose-built Lexus RZe SUV, Sydney City Lexus is celebrating our journey towards the time when our entire range will use electrified powertrains.

The RZe is Lexus’ second battery electric vehicle and importantly it’s the first built on a dedicated all-electric platform.

It’s a milestone for us – far more than a vehicle that has simply adopted battery electric power in place of a conventional engine.

With the RZ450e, we’re advancing towards our aim of offering only hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles to our guests by 2030.

The first RZ’s – the 450e Luxury and the 450e Sports Luxury have just arrived at our showrooms to great acclaim from guests who’ve been eagerly awaiting their order and from those who’ve been intrigued to see the technology at close hand.

Overwhelmingly, the initial reaction has been that it’s a Lexus first, and a world leading electric car initiative second.

It looks like a Lexus, feels like a Lexus, and has all

the occupant-centric features we’ve come to expect from this intuitive, forward-thinking company. The breakthrough is that it’s built from the ground up to Lexus’s high standards to properly incorporate the new zero emission battery-electric technology in a way that is truly integral.

The RZe is powered by a specially developed 71.4kWH (kilowatt hour) lithium-ion battery producing 230kW of power, providing a claimed driving range of 470km, making it an efficiency leader in the fully electric mid-sized luxury SUV segment. It’s equipped with its own compact and lightweight 11kW on-board charger and can recharge to 80 percent of capacity in half an hour when connected to a DC fast charging system.

The new all-electric platform has allowed Lexus to optimally position the power pack and drive train in a way that had provided far more scope for design features and occupant comfort solutions.

It’s truly a best of both worlds outcome – the marriage of Lexus’s advanced Driving Signature, with the new technology which is now certain to bring about everlasting change in the automotive industry.

ALL THINGS AUTOMOTIVE LEXUS IS TRENDING UPWARDS

I’m investing heavily in Lexus-futures.

There’s some speculation at present that the Australian motor industry will this year be curtailed and even retract. Not from where I’m sitting.

It’s a bold forecast, but one based on inside knowledge and a great deal of strategic research: 2023 will be a record year for Lexus, albeit in the face, perhaps, of industry decline.

Nationally, our brand which has traditionally been constrained by its own natural stance of exclusivity will bound above 10,000 deliveries for the first time in its 33-year presence in Australia.

I’m not suggesting a boom, but rather a deliberate step forward brought about by the discovery and adoption of Lexus by a new generation of sophisticated early adopters.

Our move into electrification, incorporating the fast emerging technology into a design and manufacturing process which has its roots in a culture of quality, has proved to be the formula our emerging clientele trusts.

And it’s equally a combination that our long-term loyal guests appreciate as they also embrace the new technology.

Its natural – people are risk averse.

It’s one thing to take an interest in the new all electric means of mobility. It’s another to invest substantial amounts of your own funds in what is essentially start-up technology.

The solution, of course, is to deal only with someone you can trust.

Lexus has been the quiet achiever in battery electric technology. By reasonable calculation some 75 percent of our entire range is now powered, at least in part, by electricity.

By early next decade the conversion to full electrification will be complete.

Lexus has not sought to take leadership. Its left that to others, who rightly can claim to be disruptors, with all that the term implies.

Lexus has only introduced technology when it has been certain of the outcome. And little by little it has become the progenitor of the electric revolution.

John Roca, Dealer Principal

BATTERIES AIN’T BATTERIES

In the olden (petrol engine) days Castrol had an advertising slogan ‘Oils Ain’t Oils’, promoting better engine performance and longer life through superior lubrication.

These days the slogan could well be batteries ain’t batteries.

What’s under the hood is important. There’s a massive evolution going on in battery technology. Adopters of this new technology have every right to expect they’re getting the best. For a while it was considered OK if a big clunky battery pack was able to retain just 70 percent of its efficiency over 10 years. For some makers, that’s still the norm. The new standard is much better.

Lexus expects its new battery technology to provide better than 90 percent efficiency over a decade. That’s been hailed as a new global benchmark.

Lexus’s new batteries are smaller, lighter, less intrusive into the cabin space and are managed by more efficient on-board monitoring systems than have previously been available. Claimed output per cell is up by 70 percent, and for the first time each cell is individually monitored for performance and heat build-up throughout its life.

Lexus prefers to build its own batteries or to do it in collaboration with a trusted IT partner. It recently announced plans to build a new $5.6billion stand alone battery plant, and to spend $18.7billion on research and development into the next phase of electrification.

BEYOND ZERO MOBILITY ON DISPLAY

How do you normalise a new technology like electrification? Simple.

You make it the basis of show vehicles so outstanding in design and function that you could only imagine them with a “new normal” power train.

At Auto Shanghai, Lexus led the electric charge (pun intended) with a line-up of four vehicles to support its stance of Beyond Zero – a commitment to build cars with zero-emissions.

While people are adjusting to electrification on road, Lexus display of off-road electrics that totally stretch the boundaries of what is possible.

The RZ Outdoor Concept, based on our new RZ, is a go-anywhere 4x4 with 150kW at the front wheels and 80kW at the rear, on chunky all-terrain tyres.

The RX Outdoor Concept is a plug-in hybrid development of our RX range with an electric four wheel drive system.

The important feature of both concepts is that they have towing hitches and are rated for towing capacity – a breakthrough for electrification.

The buggy like ROV Concept 2 , is powered by compressed gaseous hydrogen . It’s Lexus’s statement that hydrogen power is just around the corner and for that reason it was probably the most important exhibit at the show.

The fourth car – the sports car – was just for fun. It’s the RZ Sports Concept, also based on our new all electric RZ. Designers simply wanted to demonstrate the versatility of the technology in a body that is absolutely stunning.

THE LEXUS LM HAS LANDED

Followers of space technology know that LM stands for Lunar Module, the first vehicle ever to drive on the moon.

Our Lexus LM is a Luxury Mover and the first example, due at the end of this year and available in 2024, is creating as much excitement as the moon landing.

The breakthrough hybrid LM sets an entirely new standard in luxurious, personalised transportation. Many people see it as a chauffeur driven luxury capsule on wheels in either four or seven seat configurations.

The high level of enquiry we’ve received indicates that many families regard the LM as the ultimate in meeting their own transportation aspirations, with the driver connected to the passengers.

Either way, the LM is Lexus’ ultimate expression of the MPV – multi-purpose-vehicle- genre intended to enrich our guests’ lifestyles.

Meticulously crafted seats and upscale technology combine with a huge focus on NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) control to deliver a mobility experience that, frankly, will be beyond compare.

Lexus has even developed what they call a “rear comfort” drive mode which prioritises driving characteristics for rear seat comfort.

The bottom line, according to the engineers, is that passengers will arrive at their destination “feeling productive and refreshed”.

We think it’s one of those occasions when the journey will be as important as the destination.

The LM is the latest take on hybrid electrification, introducing a turbo-hybrid power train which soon become the standard in our hybrid range.

WELCOME TO OUR NEW HOME

Sydney City Lexus’ complete re-imagining of our VIP customer lounges at Glebe and Waterloo has been met with an incredibly positive response from our guests. They’re visiting more often and staying longer, enjoying the opportunity to do a little transacting or just enjoy the ambience and the ability for a bit of me-time in their otherwise busy world. Both facilities have become part of our electrification revolution.

We’ve installed fast chargers so our guests can avail themselves of a ‘refuel’ for their UXe or new RZe while they relax in comfort in their Lexus lounge.

Of course, our Waterloo, and hopefully soon Glebe facilities , are on our own grid, powered by our own solar electricity network.

Lexus Australia is reshaping its national network and we’re proud to have been at the forefront of the revolution.

CARE*” THE SYDNEY CITY LEXUS WAY!

Being a Lexus owner, is more than just owning an exquisitely crafted Lexus vehicle.

Lexus vehicles are designed to provide a quality driving experience that last for years after the original date of purchase, combined with unique “Encore” ownership experience.

Owning a Lexus means you are part of a like-minded community that appreciates an exceptional ownership and service experience without the hassle or price tag.

“It’s important to understand this will be the case if your much-loved Lexus continues to be serviced correctly”, said Con Hatzivasiliou, Sydney City Lexus Group Service General Manager. He further said, “My team and I are committed to delivering this unique Lexus Service experience to all our Lexus owners regardless of their vehicle’s age.”

As a Lexus owner, not only do you benefit from driving an exquisitely crafted vehicle but for a limited time, Sydney City Lexus are offering a “Lexus Care Service Package* to support servicing your Lexus CT, IS, UX & NX model for $475 including all fluid replenishments as

well as larger SUVs including the Lexus LX and RX models for $575.

We believe this Lexus Care Service Package will help our Lexus owners ensure the continuation of the Lexus’ unique ownership experience.

This offer is available until August 31, 2023 and is applicable to the first fifty vehicles at each of our Glebe and Waterloo service centres. With an offer this good, you’ll need to book soon so, don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Use code “Newsletter Offer”.

For more information, visit our website or call us directly on (02) 9565 6361. Terms and conditions apply.

Terms and Conditions: *The offer is limited to 50 customers per site on a first come first serve basis. To be eligible for the offer a customer must service their Lexus vehicle or small SUV at Sydney City Lexus Glebe or Waterloo before 31st August 2023. This is not a Lexus scheduled log book service - Price for scheduled log book service is available. Offer is available to all Lexus customers outside of factory warranty. No alternative prize, or cash alternative will be offered. Sydney City Lexus reserves the right to alter, extend or withdraw an offer at any timeandwithoutpriornotice.Thisofferisnotinconjunctionwithanyother offer. Customer is able to access our valet pick up and drop off service.

“LEXUS

A QUICK TRIP TO THE SNOW

If you’re keen and have a driving companion, it’s possible to achieve a day trip to the ski fields out of Sydney. Leave at 4am, drive non-stop to the Ski Tube at Bullock’s Flat or on into Thredbo, arrive at 9am, and be on the snow by 10am. Then repeat the process in the afternoon - home by 10pm.

If you’re going to do it, we suggest the comfort of a Lexus. But for safety, alone, a one-day dash is not something we’d recommend.

A two-day trip, though, is on the cards – as long as you observe the rules of fatigue management –each driver two hours on, two hours off.

WHAT: Its 487km from the Sydney Harbor Bridge to the parking lot at Bullock’s Flat, another half hour on to limited day parking at Friday Flat. The choice of Thredbo or Perisher is yours but for a quick weekend turn around we recommend Thredbo because it sits low in the valley and drive in access is easier –although nothing in the ski fields is guaranteed. On a two day trip, staying overnight on snow, we’d suggest you buy two half day lift tickets, one for the first afternoon , the next for the following morning. That makes your drive more relaxed.

WHERE: Head straight down M31, join the Federal Highway M23 just past Goulburn and stay with it when it becomes Majura Road skirting Canberra Airport. That’s about three hours into your journey, time for a rest break.

The M23 becomes the B23, the Monaro Highway, and at Cooma it morphs into the B72, Kosciuszko Road. Pause to enjoy the snow-capped mountain view as you crest the hill outside East Jindabyne. It’s sensational. Through Jindabyne, turn left onto the Alpine Way, and 20 minutes later you’re at the ski tube; half an hour on and you’re in Thredbo.

There’s a choice of parking in Thredbo, mainly at Friday Flat, and if you’re staying overnight, you can sometimes park at your accommodation.

If you choose Perisher instead, you’ll most likely park in the Bullock’s Flat car park and catch the ski tube up. That’s not as convenient for an overnight trip.

WHERE TO EAT: You’re there to maximise the skiing. But on the drive down and back there are a few staples you might like to try. Near Canberra airport, just off your drive route is the magnificent Pialligo Estate and Smokehouse (18 Kallaroo Rd – 02 62447 6060), open daily until 4pm. At Thredbo, the Creperie on the Monaro Highway (02)64544125 is a must for breakfast or brunch. But call to find out if they’re open. The valley drive from Jindabyne opens a cornucopia of restaurants just off the Alpine Way. But at Thredbo, on your one night, make a point of riding under starlight by gondola to Merritt’s Mountain Hut at 1 660 metres (02 64594200.) .

WHERE TO STAY: There’s substantial accommodation in both Thredbo and Perisher, both offering ski-in, ski-out access. Perisher relies on Hans Over Snow to move you to most of its lodges although if you chose to stay at the magnificent Maritz Alpine Lodge (02 64575220), complete with its own heated pool and spa, it’s an easy walk from the Tube. At Thredbo for an overnight stay try the Thredbo Alpine Hotel (02 6459 4200), showing its age, but always reliable.

WHAT TO DO: Ski till you drop. Thredbo has 14 lifts and Perisher Blue has 47. The challenge is to ski them all at one or the other resort in a day.

It’s been done.