Latest news with #LexusUX300e
The Advertiser
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Lexus axes its most affordable EV in Australia
The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update. "The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website. When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson. "Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup." To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs. Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044). Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km. It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system. Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals. The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued. It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out. Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet. The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV). That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026. Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four). But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total. MORE: Everything Lexus UX Content originally sourced from: The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update. "The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website. When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson. "Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup." To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs. Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044). Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km. It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system. Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals. The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued. It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out. Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet. The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV). That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026. Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four). But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total. MORE: Everything Lexus UX Content originally sourced from: The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update. "The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website. When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson. "Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup." To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs. Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044). Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km. It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system. Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals. The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued. It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out. Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet. The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV). That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026. Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four). But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total. MORE: Everything Lexus UX Content originally sourced from: The Lexus UX300e has reached the end of the road in Australia, where the small electric SUV has been discontinued less than two years after it received a substantial update. "The UX300e will no longer be available in Australia due to production restrictions on selected parts," a company spokesperson confirmed to CarExpert following the disappearance of the UX300e from the Lexus Australia website. When asked whether it will reintroduce the pint-size battery-powered luxury SUV should these production restrictions end, Lexus Australia confirmed there are no plans at this stage to do so. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. "However, Lexus Australia remains committed to electrification, with close to 80 per cent of deliveries so far this year being with an electrified powertrain," said the spokesperson. "Lexus has just introduced a plug-in hybrid option for RX [the brand's large SUV] as it continues its leadership with industry-leading hybrids, and will soon add the updated all-electric RZ [mid-size electric SUV] to its lineup." To the end of April this year, Lexus has delivered only 28 examples of the compact UX300e, which is priced north of $80,000, compared with 614 hybrid UXs and 54 RZs. Last year, it sold 92 UX300e vehicles, accounting for 10 per cent of total UX sales. That saw it outsold by not only the larger and more expensive RZ (215), but also direct rivals like the BMW iX1 (2618), Volvo EX30 (2129) and Mercedes-Benz EQA (1044). Lexus Australia launched an updated UX300e late in 2023, bringing a larger 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery that boosted WLTP electric driving range by 135km to 450km. It also received a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen running Lexus' new-generation infotainment system. Power continued to come from a 150kW/300Nm front-mounted electric motor, with no dual-motor all-wheel drive version available, unlike key rivals. The Lexus UX first entered production in 2018, and was initially available only with petrol or hybrid powertrains before an all-electric option was added later and the base petrol UX200 was discontinued. It served as a more premium counterpart to the Toyota C-HR, which entered production in 20216, though it wears completely different styling inside and out. Given Toyota has now launched a new C-HR, and revealed a small electric SUV called the C-HR+, a new-generation Lexus UX should theoretically be around the corner. However, no prototypes have been spied testing as yet. The demise of the UX300e in Australia leaves Lexus with just one electric vehicle (EV). That's in stark contrast with rivals, which offer multiple. BMW, for instance, has seven, while Mercedes-Benz also has seven (excluding vans and people movers), Audi has four and Genesis has three. Cadillac also has only one, but has confirmed it will release two more electric model lines for Australia in 2026. Once the RX450h+ arrives, Lexus will have two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, matching Audi and surpassing both Genesis and Cadillac (none yet), as well as Mercedes-Benz (one), but falling short of BMW (four). But the Toyota-owned premium Japanese brand has them all beat when it comes to conventional hybrids, offering eight in total. MORE: Everything Lexus UX Content originally sourced from:
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
When will Toyota build an EV with its simulated manual transmission?
Toyota has long been known for its innovative approach to automotive technology and its commitment to providing drivers with engaging and reliable vehicles. Yet, when it comes to electric vehicles, the automaker has been more cautious than some of its competitors, focusing heavily on hybrids and hydrogen fuel cells. Although it is famous for its line of trucks and SUVs, the brand has also worked hard to bring more engaging gas-powered vehicles into its lineup, including the GR86, GR Supra, and GR Corolla, all of which have manual transmissions. In 2023, Toyota developed a simulated manual transmission for electric vehicles that provides a driving experience similar to that of a gas-powered automobile. They even put the revolutionary system in a Lexus UX 300e, and it did exactly what it was intended to do. This kind of system would be a first for production EVs, offering a rare blend of electric efficiency and old-school driving involvement. But when will Toyota actually build an EV with this unique and potentially game-changing feature?Toyota's simulated manual transmission has a clutch pedal, a six-speed manual shifter, synthetic engine sounds, and even the ability to stall the engine. If you want convenience and comfort, you can even drive it in regular, boring EV mode. The simulated manual transmission Toyota developed for EVs isn't just a novelty—it's an effort to preserve the engaging driving experience that many enthusiasts associate with stick-shift cars. Traditional EVs are typically single-speed, using the instant torque of electric motors to deliver seamless acceleration without the need for gear changes. While this makes them efficient and smooth, it also removes the tactile, interactive element of shifting gears — something that many driving purists miss. View the 4 images of this gallery on the original article Toyota's simulated manual works via software, which allows the car to shake if the driver fails to depress the accelerator enough, shift into the wrong gear, or mishandle the clutch pedal. The six-speed shift gear shift is embedded in an old-school H-gate with microswitches in each gear position but no physical connection to any shift rods, syncros, etc. The clutch pedal utilizes a return spring for feel. The gearshift lever and the clutch aren't mechanically connected to anything. This is a brilliant and innovative system designed to make the driving experience as authentic as electric vehicle strategy has been deliberate and measured as evidenced by its single EV offering, the bZ4x. The company has invested heavily in hybrid technology and has been a strong proponent of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles like the Mirai. That said, Toyota has been criticized for lagging behind in the all-electric space, especially as automakers like Tesla, Hyundai, and Ford push forward with ambitious EV lineups. In December 2021, Toyota announced plans to release 30 new EV models by 2030, with the aim of selling 3.5 million electric vehicles annually by the end of the decade. They have since scaled back their EV plans, and rightly so given the slowing demand for electric vehicles. Toyota now expects to produce around 1 million EVs by 2026, down from the previous 1.5 million target. But as for when the simulated manual transmission will debut, Toyota has been tight-lipped. There was the possibility of integrating this new transmission into future electric sports cars, like a potential EV successor to the Toyota GR86 or Supra, but now it appears that both models' successors will probably have gas engines with mild hybrid assist. View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article Reports from Toyota insiders suggest that the company could launch a prototype featuring the simulated manual transmission by 2026, and the most likely candidate is the sporty, all-wheel-drive FT-Se EV concept introduced in 2023. This timeline aligns with Toyota's broader EV goals and its push to bring more diverse electric options to the market. The use of a driver-centric EV aligns nicely with the company's increasing focus on sporty vehicles. As Toyota continues to expand its EV lineup, the prospect of a driver-focused electric sports car with a simulated stick shift is exciting. While we may have to wait a few more years to see it in action, the mere possibility suggests that Toyota is serious about keeping driving fun, even in an electric future.A simulated manual could differentiate Toyota's EVs in an increasingly crowded market. As electric cars become more common, features that enhance driving experience — rather than just efficiency and range — will likely become key selling points. Toyota will need to determine whether a simulated manual transmission in an EV is a niche offering or something that could attract a wider audience by providing a more connected driving experience. Then there's the question of how well the final product will be executed. To draw enthusiasts, it would have to improve on its mechanical 'feel' and how well it mimics a real manual gearbox. If the system feels artificial or gimmicky, it could struggle to win people over. Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
