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Redesigned Lexus UX to be Fully BEV in 2026

Discussion in 'Lexus Hybrids and EVs' started by drash, Sep 10, 2024 at 10:47 PM.

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  1. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Previously I was of the opinion that Lexus might actually release the UX 300e for the North American market.
    2025 UXh gets the 2023 Prius AWD-e Powertrain | PriusChat

    It appears that I'm not entirely accurate as Mag-X scooped that a redesigned UX based on the first Gigacast BEV platform will be introduced in 2026.
    《次号予告》SCOOP！BEVに完全転身の可能性も？次期レクサスUX | MAGX NEWS

    Partial translation:
    "Lexus is removing engine cars from its lineup and becoming a brand that specializes in BEVs. As a stepping stone to this, some of its cars, such as the ES and LM, are being made fully hybrid. In addition, a vehicle using the next-generation BEV platform that uses the Gigacast is scheduled to appear in 2026.
    And according to information obtained by the Magazine X scoop team, the next UX may take a step toward becoming a full BEV.

    A development project for the UX has been launched for a model change in 2026, and according to people involved, efforts are being focused on developing a BEV version without an internal combustion engine. In fact, there is even talk of abandoning the option to have an engine."

    To polish this up a bit, this means that the UX redesign scheduled for 2026 will be BEV only. Currently the article talks about the Japanese model only, but the UX is sold in North America as hybrid only (UX 300h) and in Europe as a BEV (UX 300e) and hybrid. For all markets the UX is made in the Miyawaka plant in Japan so I'd assume the UX will become the first model in the Lexus lineup to transition to BEV, as opposed to the RZ which is a native BEV model. So they will redesign the current UX 300e to "eliminate the weaknesses of the current model" and based on release schedules for North America, will probably appear as a 2027 Model. The current 2025 UX 300h was released in April of 2024.

    What are the weaknesses of the current UX 300e? Well to begin with, the battery is the same 72.8 kWh CATL designed battery found in the Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X AWD and Lexus RZ 300e. The UX 300 is FWD only and uses the same 201 hp (150 kW) motor found in the RZ 300e, but gets only 280 miles (450 km) WLTP on 17" tires. The RZ 300e gets 266 miles Manufacturer estimated and is a much bigger and heavier vehicle riding on larger tires. DC fast charge in the UX 300e is limited to CHAdeMO at 70 kW compared to the RZ 300e at 150 kW. But worse, the battery is air cooled, instead of liquid cooled like the RZ 300e.

    So how will it be redesigned? It'll probably get an updated 70+ kWh battery (may be the bipolar LFP or the Performance NMC), make the battery liquid cooled, update to NACS for North American Fast Charge and of course update the motor or motors if they make a version of it AWD. I'm sure it'll grow a little more than the 177 inches (4495 mm) it is now but remain smaller than the RZ which is 189.2 inches (4806 mm).
     
    #1 drash, Sep 10, 2024 at 10:47 PM
  2. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Active Member

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    I was given a Lexus GS450h with the V6 and the two speed electric transmission. I plan to transplant those into my Winnebago A class motorhome to replace the V10 Ford Triton .... still not sure if I will keep the 4 sp auto or go to a beefed up 2 sp Powerglide transmission.
    The 2 sp electric transmission is capable of pumping out 250kw, it just needs a battery that can supply that for 5 to 10 mins, that is as long as it takes to climb a hill. I'm planning on using sodium ion cells to build the battery, maybe CATL, depends what I find when I test the samples I have coming, a mob called OSN Power seem to have a good product as well.

    The trick to ultra fast charging, is the battery voltage used, the 800vdc architecture at the moment can be recharged from 20% to 80% in 10 mins, the 400vdc takes between 20 and 30 mins. Sodium ion doesn't suffer the heat generation the lithium based cells suffer, so my money is that will be the direction EV builders will go, 800v sodium ion, 1,000 mile range on a full charge, 10 min charge and another 800 miles is available, who needs to drive further than that before having a sleep?

    T1 Terry
     
    #2 T1 Terry, Sep 10, 2024 at 11:51 PM
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The big step is in using a true BEV platform. That will allow better packaging for whatever the decide to equip the car with, while lowering costs.
    The Lexus doesn't have a 2-speed transmission. It is using Toyota's 2-stage hybrid system. The first stage is a power split hybrid like used in the Prius. That feeds into the second stage, which is essentially a 4-speed automatic transmission. It was likely designed for the Tundra, and doesn't need a separate transmission.
     
    #3 Trollbait, Sep 11, 2024 at 11:50 AM
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great, another high price bev, just what the world needs
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 11, 2024 at 2:59 PM
    Trollbait and Louis19 like this.
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