“A serene cabin environment is an essential part of our DNA,” commented Pascal Ruch, head of Lexus in Europe. “And the all-electric Lexus UX 300e gave our engineers an opportunity to bring out that quality like never before.”
No area of the new UX 300e was left unexamined in the quest for serenity. This goal became an obsession for our engineers as they refined the chassis, drivetrain and cabin insulation to craft a crossover that sought to redefine the quality of silence. Interestingly, the efforts of these engineers echo those of their forebears when developing the original Lexus, the ultra-refined LS 400 luxury saloon.
From studying noise patterns in other battery electric vehicles, discover the specific actions that were taken to minimise the intrusion of noise into the cabin of the UX 300e.
Class-leading NVH levels
Our efforts to minimise levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) delivers a calm and tranquil cabin environment which suppresses the kind of external disturbances that would be noticeable in a conventional car.
The battery pack under the cabin floor already acts as an effective sound-insulating barrier, while additional covers and arch liners have been added to reduce the level of noise generated by contact with unmade or water-soaked road surfaces. Even the compact new power control unit is installed on the front cross member to ensure minimal noise and vibrations are passed into the cabin.
Whisper-quiet aerodynamics
Taking wind noise reduction to the next level, the UX 300e is equipped with aerodynamic shutters in the lower front grille. These open and close automatically according to the level of cooling required by the battery and mechanicals, and reduce the car’s coefficient of drag from 0.33 to 0.31.
Also unique to the UX 300e is that the bottom surface of the battery pack has been smoothed and the underfloor covers have been increased in size to create a more aerodynamic underbody structure.
Low-noise tyres
The 17-inch tyre option offers the lowest available rolling resistance coefficient for excellent NVH levels, yet provides high levels of safety and responsiveness. Meanwhile, the 18-inch tyre option was carefully chosen to balance quiet rolling performance with exceptional handling stability.
Serene cabin experience
Acoustic glass has been installed to reduce high-frequency wind noise, while the extensive application of foam and damping materials ensures that all occupants are cocooned in a luxury, sound-insulating cabin. This includes an extra layer of insulation underneath the carpeting and a silencer behind the dashboard.
Lexus UX 300e: Exacting quality standards
The UX 300e is built at our award-winning Kyushu plant. Before leaving the factory, Takumi craftspeople check and double-check every car for perfection in a special quiet room facility, where their ears and fingertips are trained to detect even the minutest level of abnormal noise or vibration within the cabin.
“Sitting in the new UX 300e, drivers will instantly sense how we’ve taken legendary Lexus values like quietness, reliability, control, comfort and confidence to new levels,” assured chief engineer Takashi Watanabe.
The Lexus UX 300e is available to order now. Click here to learn more and to sign up to receive further updates.
Learn more: Lexus UX 300e – introducing a new driving experience
Fantastic information.
Can I ask if the same levels of insulation also applies to other models in the UX range or is it exclusive to UX300e model?
Hello Chris,
Thank you for your comment.
The various UX models have different types of insulation as each model has to block out different noises. Each noise has a different characteristic so needs different types of insulation.
Thanks.
Got to say I’m impressed I’ve just test drove uxE
My ONLY concern is the range 190 miles and that’s debatable probably nearer 150 to 160 in winter lights heater etc but it’s certainly a very nice car.
I didn’t get a lot of feel through the steering wheel which for a front wheel drive I missed …. not a criticism just a point
But I’m going to order one.
Hello Cyril,
Thank you for your feedback.
If you require any assistance in ordering your UX 300e, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Thanks.
Changed my mind the range was a huge issue after testing others….. the luxury of lexus is a big miss but the range issues for me was a bigger problem.