The Jewish Chronicle

Driving the future with the new all-electric Lexus UX 300e

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WITH THE New Year beckoning, it’s an ideal time to weigh up lifestyle choices — including future motoring needs and environmen­tal considerat­ions.

From its solid foundation in developing hybrid technology, Lexus has introduced its first battery electric vehicle (BEV), the UX 300e. The ultimate combinatio­n of luxury, technology and efficient running costs, the UX 300e is priced from £41,475 and is available to test drive and order from Lexus Edgware Road now, with first models already on the road.

Zero emissions make it ideal for driving in the capital while its range of 196 miles when fully charged means the UX 300e can eat up the miles on longer journeys.

Using a DC fast-charging connection, the UX 300e can be recharged to 80 per cent in under an hour (52 minutes) for trips even further afield.

LUXURY

The UX 300e incorporat­es the high specificat­ion, quality workmanshi­p and elegant style associated with Lexus including 17in alloy wheels; aluminium roof rails; Bi-LED headlights; intelligen­t front and rear parking sensors; 7in display; reversing camera with guidelines; six-speaker audio system with DAB; four USB ports and aux socket and smartphone integratio­n with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

The specificat­ion can be enhanced further with the Premium Plus pack (£45,245) adding smooth leather upholstery; heated steering wheel, front seats and outer rear seats; rear privacy glass and smartphone wireless charger. The Takumi Pack (£51,345) incorporat­es features such as 18in alloy wheels; blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake; triple-eye LED headlights; 360° panoramic view monitor; LED cornering lights and 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system.

CONNECTIVI­TY

UX 300e owners can remote-control several vehicle functions such as charging, defrosting and activating the air conditioni­ng to either cool or heat the cabin before the journey. Drivers can use ‘find my car’ to locate their vehicle in a large car park, for instance and ‘share to car’ enables a journey to be planned on one device and shared with the vehicle. Driving analytics allow journeys to be tracked and driving style to be analysed and service and maintenanc­e mean the vehicle’s aftercare is carefully managed.

CHARGING AND RANGE

According to detailed analysis from Lexus, most drivers will need to charge their vehicle only once a week, probably at home overnight using an AC charging station, which Lexus will help install. Attention to detail is exceptiona­l, such as the ability to set a maximum charge setting so those living on top of a hill can select a lower charge level to take into account capacity to capture regenerati­ve charging when descending. Drivers can also schedule their own charging time to take advantage of lower tariffs, making EV driving even more cost-effective.

SUPPORTING ELECTRIC DRIVERS

The Lexus Charging Network has been developed in partnershi­p with Digital Charging Solutions* to provide access to the largest charging network in Europe and provide a single charging card for all participat­ing stations with payment by monthly invoice. Accessible via the Lexus Link connectivi­ty app, when fully rolled out, Lexus owners will have access to around 160,000 public charging stations in Europe.

AFFORDABLE ELECTRIC

The Lexus UX 300e is currently available with a £2,155 reduction to its on-theroad price. Together with a PCP from Lexus Financial Services monthly payments are from £429*, representa­tive 3.9 per cent APR and a £1,000 finance deposit allowance over 48 months. Personal contract hire leasing offers the UX 300e for £465 per month with an initial rental of £2,790 inclusive of VAT at 20 per cent*.

Business users benefit from the model’s one per cent benefit-in-kind rating for company car tax and road tax at £0. Business contract hire from Lexus costs £387 per month with an initial rental of £2,322, exclusive of VAT at 20 per cent**.

* Retail customers only; terms and conditions apply, details at www. lexus.co.uk/car-models/ux-300e/ offers/#businessof­fers. ** Business customers only; terms and conditions apply, details at www. lexus.co.uk/car-models/ux-300e/ offers/#businessof­fers.

To talk to the team at Lexus Edgware Road about the new UX 300e and how electric driving can easily fit most people’s motoring requiremen­ts and to experience the UX 300e for yourself, call 020 3733 8170 or see https://www.lexus. co.uk/centres/edgware-road/

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Lexus UX 300e: luxury, technology and efficient running costs

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