Lexus India launches ES 300h, RX 400h and the LX 350d; prices start at Rs 55.27 lakh

The day has finally arrived as Toyota's premium automotive brand Lexus, steps on to Indian soil. Lexus today launched three new vehicles beginning with the Lexus ES 300h sedan, RX 400h SUV and the LX 350d  for the Indian market with price tags starting from Rs 55.27 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).Today was also the day that Lexus brand was announced in India and with that announcement also came the news about its presence in the country. The automotive brand currently only has four Lexus Exclusive dealerships in metros for now, many of which have already started to accept bookings for the launched vehicles. The company also announced that it does have plans to manufacture Lexus cars in the country.[caption id="attachment_350737" align="aligncenter" width="640"] The Lexus ES 300h sedan[/caption]To start off, we have the model that is priced the lowest. It is the Lexus ES 300h sedan and at Rs 55.27 lakh it is the most affordable model in the Lexus range. Going simply by the looks it is easy to tell the ES shares its platform with the Camry. The ES packs in a parallel hybrid system, that uses a smaller 2.5-litre petrol engine that delivers 160PS and 233Nm. Obviously its not alone as the engine is connected to a 143PS/270Nm electric motor while an e-CVT system delivers and manages power to the front wheels.[caption id="attachment_368623" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Lexus LX 450d[/caption]Next up is the not-so-hybrid LX 450d SUV that is based on the Land Cruiser. It gets the Lexus design treatment both outside and inside and looks a lot sharper than the Land Cruiser model. The SUV features a 4.5-litre turbo diesel engine that deliver 270PS and 650Nm and is paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The price of this AWD vehicle is under wraps for now. If you were wondering, there is a hybrid version of this vehicle in Lexus' product roadmap for India.[caption id="attachment_350735" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image: Lexus RX 450h[/caption]Lastly, there is the razor-sharp RX 450h. The new model uses a large 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine that is connected to an electric motor. Together the system produces a good 310PS all of which is transferred to all four wheels via an e-CVT. Lexus is brig two variants of the RX to India. There will be a Luxury Sport priced at Rs 1.07 crore and an F-Sport that is available for Rs 1.09 crore.