New All-Wheel Drive System Coming to Lexus Hybrids & EVs

[Gecko]

It's look like the NX will get the treatment first, just like the RAV4?

Lexus NX 450h+ to plug-in here in 2021 - carsales.com.au

First Lexus PHEV to leverage Toyota RAV4 Prime's high-output 225kW powertrain

www.carsales.com.au

Just to be clear, I think you are referencing the PRIME powertrain coming to the NX as "NX 450h+" which as far as we know, is completely different from the E-Axle concept. Am I right?

NX 450h+ could potentially have the E-Axle... but we don't know that yet.

 

[internalaudit]

Just to be clear, I think you are referencing the PRIME powertrain coming to the NX as "NX 450h+" which as far as we know, is completely different from the E-Axle concept. Am I right?

NX 450h+ could potentially have the E-Axle... but we don't know that yet.

I was hoping the h+ means E-Axle exclusively though maybe that will require the h++ designation.

Maybe it will have torque vectoring in its final form.

 

[ssun30]

Just to be clear, I think you are referencing the PRIME powertrain coming to the NX as "NX 450h+" which as far as we know, is completely different from the E-Axle concept. Am I right?

NX 450h+ could potentially have the E-Axle... but we don't know that yet.

According to Australian sources E-Axle will be ready in 2022. Yeah I know that sounds like forever (facepalm). It will probably launch with ES facelift instead of on the NX.

The prototype they showed in late 2019 had overheating problems that's the main hurdle to production. The thing is the prototype rear axle is not the 'final form' and Lexus expect the production version to have a LOT more torque. So this is another example of Lexus setting the target too high instead of having a product ready for sale as quickly as possible.

I was hoping the h+ means E-Axle exclusively though maybe that will require the h++ designation.

Maybe it will have torque vectoring in its final form.

Or E-Axle could be a 'F-sport' option of h+ models while regular h+ gets E-Four.

The E-Axle is a torque vectoring design. It just doesn't shift torque in the transverse direction (left to right) but in the longitudinal direction (front to back). The former works better on RWD-based systems while the latter works better on FWD-based systems.

 

[internalaudit]

I may actually go for a Lexus PHEV if it's really that good. Too bad it hasn't caught up with Acura's Sport Hybrid design with torque vectoring. Only on the NSX is the torque vectoring on the front axle. Honda quitting F1 in 2021 to focus on electrification.

Waiting for a Lexus BEV with SSB and rear axle torque vectoring may take my lifetime haha.

 

[spwolf]

For what is worth @ssun30, AU sources are terrible at predicting anything.

 

[Will1991]

So, the first implementation of the eAxle is... The UX300e!

"The Aisin Group's electric drive module "eAxle" has been adopted for the LEXUS UX300e, the first commercial electric vehicle of the brand.

The "eAxle" is a lightweight and compact permanent magnet type synchronous motor dedicated for EV, boasting both high output and high efficiency. Its weight is about half that of a conventional engine with almost the same output.

Based on the technology and know-how cultivated in transmission development, the Aisin Group has proposed a wide variety of hybrid transmissions and electric drive units that support the electrification of vehicles, such as "eAxle." The company will continue to pursue the development of new products and technologies that support the electrification of automobiles and contribute to the realization of a sustainable global environment."

AISIN CORPORATION Global Website

Aisin is a global supplier of automotive components, with a philosophy: Inspiring “movement”, creating tomorrow. We will contribute to creating a better environment through electrification of mobility and clean power.

www.aisin.com

This clearly shows how modular Toyota is getting!

 

[Will1991]

Well, this should be it:

Also:

Where can we see this?

 

[Sulu]

Those 1-motor hybrid transmissions seem to be new. I am curious where (and how) they will be used.

 

[maiaramdan]

So is the 2B the one that power the lexus 4 wheel motor system?

As 80 KW per wheel for total 320 KW which is around 429 hp ?

 

[ssun30]

Toyota going the Porsche way to include a two-speed reduction gear for high performance. Very smart move! The lack of power and torque rating is interesting. Previously they claimed up to 300kW in E-AWD with 150kW front and rear. But not showing the power rating makes me feel they are not content with 'only' 300kW for their flagship BEV and is planning to be more powerful to keep up with competition. The new target might be 350-400kW.

I think the two 'single motor hybrid transmission' are for their trucks. The medium will be paired with the A25A as an entry-level hybrid option for say the Prado and Tacoma. The high might be paired with 3.5 or 2.4T as a high-end option for these two and entry-level for Land Cruiser/Tundra.

So is the 2B the one that power the lexus 4 wheel motor system?

As 80 KW per wheel for total 320 KW which is around 429 hp ?

No, E-Axle means the whole axle is one motor, not IWM.

2B is the rear motor for AWD models with 160KW output (1+2B).

2A+2B would make a 230KW system which sounds about right for the RZ450e.

 

[spwolf]

@Will1991, where did you get above images?

 

[shizhi]

@Will1991, where did you get above images?

blue nexus…

eaxle :BluE Nexus – BluE Nexus Corporation

BluE Nexus – BluE Nexus Corporationのeaxleのページです。BluE Nexusという社名には、「青い空と地球というかけがえのない青（Blue）を守るため、アイシンとデンソーが強い絆（Nexus）をもち技術を開発していく」というこの会社設立にかけた私たちの思いが込められています。青い空、そして美しい地球を未来に届けるために、私たちは技術の力で貢献していきます。

www.blue-nexus.co.jp

 

[toylex]

New concept car by Lexus

New all-electric Lexus teased ahead of 2022 arrival - pictures | Auto Express

Pictures of the new all-electric Lexus testing

www.autoexpress.co.uk

 

[Will1991]

E-Axle applications will be called Direct4:

Source: https://newsroom.lexus.eu/lexus-reveals-direct4-next-generation-electric-drive-control-technology/

And at the end of the available video, they talk about a yet to be seen concept to be revealed in the first quarter of 2021:

And this doesn't seem to be the BEV development vehicle above, the proportions aren't the same....

Are we looking at the RZ450e? Some sort of a crossover between a sedan/shooting brake?

Also worthy of note, there is this image that show up a few times:

It does look like the LF-1, maybe a production version is near?

 

[ssun30]

The future is here. R.I.P. GS but the ES can be FWD, RWD, and AWD at the same time.

 

[Gecko]

The black vehicle in the video does not look at all like the LF-1 to me. And keep in mind it's a concept - if Lexus shows another concept of the LF-1 three years after the first concept with still no production model... not good AT ALL.

The prototype CUV on the track video is shaped like a GMC Terrain... I'm a little surprised to see something so squared off from Lexus.

Technology is awesome, and that demo was very telling. 80/20 RWD/FWD split... and still AWD... yes please!

 

[Motor]

 

[mikeavelli]

About time Lexus makes its own version of the Acura Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which made its debut in 2013 on the RLX Sport Hybrid. Hopefully Lexus will see it fit to apply the technology to the front wheels of Lexus' RWD cars as well (a la the NSX even though the layout is different).

This has zero to do with that system. That system continues to get dumbed down and this is an all new system.

They have nothing in common.

 

[Gecko]

The new SH-AWD with RWD bias in the TLX Type-S is probably the best on-road traction/performance/efficiency AWD system out there right now, and better than Quattro. It is a world class system and one of the few things Acura has done right in the last decade or two.

Direct 4 seems a step better thanks to both electrification and the general flexibility, but we still need more info on how it engages, active torque splitting, etc.

 

[internalaudit]

I was just going to ask about torque vectoring between the two rear wheels for Direct4 haha.