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New Lexus RX

Third incarnation of Lexus SUV breaks cover in LA

There's probably been a better time to launch a full-size luxury SUV, especially in a US gripped by financial crises and rising fuel costs. But nevertheless, the all-new Lexus RX has been brought into the world at the LA Auto Show.

In a reposte to negative four-wheel drive vibes, though, the range is now all-hybrid - this RX450h replacing both RX350 and RX400h models in the UK. It's not all about good publicity, either - current RX sales here are 94 per cent hybrid, so blanketing the range with that little 'h' makes all sorts of sense.

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Little is known about this new version, but expect both performance (208bhp, 212lb ft, 124mph, 7.6sec to 62mph) and economy (35mpg, 192g/km) of the current 3.3-litre V6 hybrid RX to improve, with a slight rise over the car's £36k price. The new RX should go on sale in the middle of 2009, by which point it will be much closer to finally gaining a petrol-hybrid rival in the SUV market.

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