Delayed Throttle Response In Rx Hybrid

[khur]

I'm sorry if this topic has already been discussed but I was given a new Rx 400 Hybrid as a courtesy car for the day and noticed a definite delay when trying to accelerate quickly out from a junction. It wasn't a problem when on the move & needing to overtake etc. Is this because of the Engine Management System trying to get the traction down without wheelspin?. I haven't driven the MK2 non-Hybrid but I would like to know if it suffers the same problem cos I might trade up shortly-I will of course be test driving the new one but I would really appreciate your comments.

[jbanfie]

I agree that taking off from rest is bit delayed, but I also find that when you want to overtake it takes a second for everything to wind up, and you end up anticipating the move and getting your foot down early.

Obviously if you are at rest, and Mr Petrol is switch off, then it needs to start and spin up before any real torque makes it to the wheels. This delay is counter acted by the rather weak electric motors coming on immediately, but the overall effect can be quite sluggish, and nothing like an old fashioned clutch.

I don't think the electronic brains are doing anything clever until wheel spin actually occurs, but the behaviour of the E-CVT thing maybe different to an ordinary torque-converter / auto box combination. I wonder if anyone actually knows?

Main thing is, it does what it does, and it isn't too bad and I personnally have not had any real situations where the response of the car has caused any issues.

I guess you pays your money and takes you choice, I can't comment on the RX300 or 350, never driven them, but I guess they would be like any other automatic car.

Cheers

Jon

[khur]

I agree that taking off from rest is bit delayed, but I also find that when you want to overtake it takes a second for everything to wind up, and you end up anticipating the move and getting your foot down early.

Obviously if you are at rest, and Mr Petrol is switch off, then it needs to start and spin up before any real torque makes it to the wheels. This delay is counter acted by the rather weak electric motors coming on immediately, but the overall effect can be quite sluggish, and nothing like an old fashioned clutch.

I don't think the electronic brains are doing anything clever until wheel spin actually occurs, but the behaviour of the E-CVT thing maybe different to an ordinary torque-converter / auto box combination. I wonder if anyone actually knows?

Main thing is, it does what it does, and it isn't too bad and I personnally have not had any real situations where the response of the car has caused any issues.

I guess you pays your money and takes you choice, I can't comment on the RX300 or 350, never driven them, but I guess they would be like any other automatic car.

Cheers

Jon

[khur]

Hi Jon,

Thought it might be something to do with the auto box/electric motor combo.The car was otherwise superb-couldn't believe it was almost completely silent when moving-off at low revs.My wife loved it but as I've just bought her a new Civic the budget won't stretch to a 400h when I trade-in next year.It's definitely a huge improvement on the MK1 in every area.My only other problem with Lexus is the electrically-assisted power steering.In all other prestige cars I've driven I think hydraulic-assist gives more feeling through the wheel.The Lexus steering's not bad but on my Mk1 IS200 it felt a bit numb compared to my old BM 3series, the MK1 Rx was built for the U.S market so I dont think they gave much thought to steering-feel.

Cheers

Kevin

p.s Sorry about the quote repost-still getting the hang of this !!

[Tel]

Had a 2hr. Test-drive in a Gs Hybrid:throttle response was ultra smoth with or without the petrol engine.

Tel