Lexus UX 300e is the brand's first-ever EV

The UX 300e offers signature Lexus refinement sans the conventional petrol motor; can drive up to 400km on a full charge.

Lexus has chosen China to debut its first-ever Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) - the 2020 UX 300e. Why China? That's because it will be a key market for the Lexus EV. Shown at the ongoing Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, the UX 300e is not an entirely new car since the conventional UX 300 crossover has already been on sale (also available as the UX hybrid). Therefore, barring small aerodynamic tweaks and the obvious departure of the ICE, the UX 300e looks more or less the same as the standard Lexus UX. The UX 300e gets an angular charging flap (in place of a round-shaped fuel filler flap), new aerodynamic wheels, a redesigned underbody cover and a 20mm lowered body.

Coming to the important bit though, the UX 300e is driven by a 201bhp electric motor located at the front. The single 4KM motor generates 300Nm of torque. Like most EVs, the UX 300e's 54.3kWh Li-ion battery pack sits under the body and can provide enough juice to last for about 400km on a full charge (as per NEDC test cycle). Charging times are pegged at around 7 hours (with a 6.6kW household AC charger) and at 50 minutes (with a 50kW DC fast charger).

Weighing at around 1,900kg, the UX 300e uses a tweaked version of the GA-C platform (with additional braces for the shock absorbers and a retuned suspension). To compensate for the missing sound of an ICE, Lexus has equipped the UX 300e with Active Sound Control (ASC) that transmits natural ambient sounds to make sure the driving experience doesn't feel unnatural.

The UX 300e will go on sale in China & Europe sometime in 2020, and later, in 2021, it will reach the Japanese market as well.

Read more:

2020 Lexus RX450hL launched in India at ₹ 99 lakh

Lexus LC 500h Review