Japanese luxury for Indian consumers
For the first time since the arrival of Mercedes-Benz many many years ago, the Indian luxury car buyer has the option of experiencing truly Oriental luxury with Lexus driving in to the country
CHOICES. THE MORE YOU have the more you want. Till now, the Indian luxury car buyer's choices remained boxed in between three Germans and a lone British manufacturer. But with Lexus entering the market, they now have a choice that doesn’t involve either of the four.
The company has come to India with not one but two products that will be sold immediately and one more for the near future. In the distant future, 2018 to be precise, there will also be the all-new LS, of which we only caught a sneak peak.
“We are excited about what we can bring to the luxury market in India, where we see opportunities mapped to the remarkable growth the country is experiencing. This is just the beginning,” said Akitoshi Takemura, Senior Vice President, Lexus India.
THE LEXUS PROPOSITION
It’s certainly not the same vintage as a Mercedes or a BMW, a Jaguar or even an Audi. The Lexus brand is only a quarter of a century old but their learning curve has been steep and they have climbed it quickly. The brand is actually the luxury arm of Toyota and was started to distinguish the company’s premium products from mass offerings. Toyota was quick to realise that customers who were willing to part with premium money also wanted a premium experience and a premium badge. Lexus offers them just that. Toyota’s solid build and reliability but in a package that sets them apart and marks them as elite. Lexus also gives them the freedom to choose something that is different from what their compatriots are most likely to be driving, an important consideration
for the Indian luxury car buyer on the lookout for some exclusivity. “How India experiences luxury is evolving with its affluence. Lexus will be providing the Indian consumer with an amazing experience through our vehicles, our service and through any interaction with our brand,” added Takemura.
RX 450H
This spanking new SUV from Lexus seeks to redefine luxury and combine it with green propulsion, courtesy Lexus’s Hybrid Drive system. Under the muscular bonnet of this cool looking SUV sits a 2.5-litre V6 engine. Like the ES sedan, the engine works with an electric motor to produce a total of 308bhp and 335Nm, transmitted to the wheels via an automatic transmission.
The RX 450h will be sold in India in two trim levels – Luxury and F-Sport with the RX 450h Luxury defining the base variant. The vehicle features a touchless power tailgate where all you need to do is hold your hand close to the Lexus logo on the rear hatch of the SUV. The hatch will open on its own! Super cool and ultra useful when you have your hands loaded with stuff. A panoramic sunroof will let you have an unbridled view of the sky above should you choose to use it. The cabin of the Luxury variant of course boasts the finest leather and the highest quality of craftsmanship that can go head to head with anything the European manufacturers can throw at Japan.
The F-Sport variant is for the enthusiast who is willing to spare the moolah to get a snazzier sporty cabin ensconced in red leather. Even the instrument panel display is different and in keeping with the sporty theme. Ex-showroom price in India for RX 450h Luxury – `107,29,000 Ex-showroom price in India for RX 450h F-Sport – `109,61,000
ES 300H
This is the gateway to the Lexus world in India. A rival to the MercedesBenz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and Jaguar XF, the ES 300h brings something more into the mix – a hybrid powertrain.
Powering this luxury sedan is a 2.5-litre, four cylinder petrol engine working in collaboration with an electric motor. Together they produce 202bhp of peak power and 213Nm of maximum torque, all of which is transmitted via an automatic
transmission. At speeds of up to 40kmph the car is propelled entirely by the electric motor, making for a quiet and emission-free drive by reducing the need to start the engine.
The offer of comfort and luxury in the ES 300h is underscored by the extra leg space accorded by an extended wheelbase. To ensure that the passengers at the rear are just as comfortable in the heat of our Indian summers, there’s a three-zone climate control while a premium Mark Levinson surround sound system belts out your favourite tracks. The party piece of this luxury sedan, this system uses a 12-channel amplifier driving 15 speakers and a 5.1 surround sound system to create a genuine 3D atmosphere. Ex-showroom price in India – `55,27,000
LX 450D
The LX 450d, though shown was unfortunately not launched. Not yet anyway. The good news however is that the wait for the launch of this big daddy of SUVs isn’t going to be long. Lexus’s aim behind this uber luxurious behemoth is to ensure that Lexus customers can enjoy equal pleasure, be it on-road or off-road.
The LX 450d’s ladder frame (a genuine off-roader, this one features the old body-on-ladder construction) is designed to separate the suspension from the body shell. The result is exceptional refinement since this minimises noise and vibrations creeping into the cabin. Under the bonnet lurks a 4.5-litre V8 that puts out 261bhp and a humongous 650Nm of peak twist force, all of which is transmitted to the wheels via a sixspeed automatic gearbox.
The LX 450d should also be extremely capable off-road. It has approach and departure angles of 25 and 20 degrees respectively. With a wading depth of 700mm and a ground clearance of 225mm it is seldom in a sticky spot. Of course, Lexus are tight lipped about the launch date as well as the price but we expect it’ll be about one and a half crore rupees.