Lexus has revealed an upgraded version of its fully electric UX 300e, which boasts an improved claimed range of 450 km and is currently “under study” for a local introduction…

Lexus has revealed an updated version of its UX 300e, with the Japanese firm’s South African division confirming the fully electric model is “under study” for a local introduction.

We can furthermore expect a significant specification change to the local UX range “before the end of the year”, according to the local arm of Toyota’s luxury brand. Whether or not the battery-powered model forms part of that updated line-up, though, remains to be seen.

So, what do we know about the refreshed UX 300e, which Lexus describes as “a significant evolution” of the brand’s first fully electric production model? Well, the big news is the adoption of a higher-capacity battery pack, which boosts the vehicle’s claimed cruising range by 40%.

The updated UX 300e gains a battery pack with a significantly higher capacity.

The newly developed battery pack features a capacity increased from the original 54.4 kWh to a healthier 72.8 kWh, resulting in a claimed cruising range of 450 km. Peak system outputs from the electric motor come in at an unchanged 150 kW and 300 Nm.

Lexus says the UX 300e’s low centre of gravity (created by the underfloor placement of the aforementioned battery pack) gives the model a “natural performance advantage”. It furthermore benefits from performance dampers at the rear, along with increased body rigidity and model-specific tunes for the electric power steering and shock absorbers.

In addition, the UX 300e inherits the refinements made to the broader UX range, including the expanded functionality of active safety technologies and the latest multimedia system (incorporating a 12.3-inch touchscreen).

Other new-energy Lexus (and Toyota) vehicles on the horizon for SA

The Lexus RZ has already been confirmed for South Africa.

Toyota South Africa Motors has plans to introduce a few more new-energy vehicles over the coming months, despite having recentlypulled the plug on the Prius. The Lexus range, for instance, is due to receive the new RXearly in 2023 in hybrid form, while the LC Hybrid is also set for a local introduction next year. We can furthermore expect to see a plug-in hybrid version of theNXat some stage, while Lexus SA said in July 2022 theall-electric RZ would arrive on local roads “in the next year or so”.

Under the Toyota banner, the company will soon launch a hybrid version of the Corolla Hatchback, while also rolling out a specification change for theCorolla Sedan Hybrid. The crossover version of thenew Crown, meanwhile, is likely to touch down in the first quarter of 2023, complete with a traditional hybrid powertrain, while thefully electric bZ4xis also still on the cards. In addition, Toyota is currently testing a few units of the RAV4 PHEV in local conditions.

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