LEXUS has unveiled plans to offer a revolutionary hybrid powertrain in future vehicles.

The system will be offered in the new Lexus RX four-wheel drive model and will arrive on the North American market in about two years.

This innovative petrol/electric hybrid technology, called Hybrid Synergy Drive, offers benefits far beyond today's hybrid vehicles. While the strengths of current hybrid systems include low emissions and high fuel economy, the new technology adds the benefit of outstanding performance.

Karl Schlicht, Lexus GB director, said: “The RX with Hybrid Synergy Drive has a V6 engine with the performance, power and torque of a V8, yet delivers the fuel economy of a small car while producing a fraction of the emissions of standard SUVs.”

The system operates with front and rear electric motors and a front internal combustion engine. It operates at nearly double the voltage of existing hybrid systems and generates more power with high efficiency, dramatically cutting fuel consumption and emissions.

In addition, the front and rear electric drive provides the benefits of all-wheel drive in a lighter and more compact package. The system is highly modular, so it is extremely flexible.

Different size motors and engines can be combined to favour either fuel economy or power... or both. This means it can be easily adapted to a broad range of vehicles.

The announcement was made in the US, the biggest market for Lexus, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

There was no announcement on the likely introduction of the new Hybrid Synergy Drive to the European market.