Geneva Motor Show 2004 - Lexus

Lexus showed off two brand new production cars at the Geneva Show, the RX400h 4x4 and the GS executive car, both of which will go on sale next year.

The RX400h uses similar hybrid technology to the Toyota Prius – the first time such a system has been used in a prestige 4x4.

Power comes from a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine and two electric motors which combine to give almost 270bhp. Lexus claims the RX400h gives the performance expected of a car in this class – 0-60mph in under eight seconds – while an insider said Lexus is aiming for CO2 emissions of just 160g/km and fuel economy of 35-40mpg.

Depending on the driving conditions, the system will adjust both where the power comes from, and where it goes. At the lowest speeds, only the electric motors power the car, but when maximum acceleration is required the petrol engine joins the electric motors, with four-wheel drive engaged automatically.

In addition, the car uses Lexus’s new Vehicle Dynamics Management system. As well as coordinating the control of the hybrid drive, this operates as a stability control system.

Alongside the RX was the all-new GS saloon, the first example of the new design language which will appear on all future Lexus products.

Power comes from either a V8 or an all-new V6 engine, both mated to new six-speed automatic transmission, with sequential manual override.

Standard on all models will be an adaptive variable suspension that will allow the driver to change between four modes, from Normal to Sport, to suit the circumstances.

Safety equipment will include a Pre-Collision system, which uses sensors to detect whether a collision is imminent and deploys Emergency Brake Assist while tightening the seatbelts.