Parallel drive only in Sport mode?

[alanfp]

Hi All

Lexus official site seems to say that in Sport mode the Battery will assist the petrol engine. Does it not do that in normal drive mode if I floor the accelerator? 

Thanks.

[wharfhouse]

18 minutes ago, alanfp said:

Hi All

Lexus official site seems to say that in Sport mode the battery will assist the petrol engine. Does it not do that in normal drive mode if I floor the accelerator? 

Thanks.

In all modes the Battery and petrol engine work together but in Sport mode the car is programmed to deliver it's Battery energy more readily to improve performance (compared to Eco where the Battery is trying to support the engine to be most economical) and in Sport mode the engine tends to come on more often too (rather than running on just battery) so the car feels more lively and responsive - the downside is that the petrol engine then has to run more as well to recharge the Battery again to get it ready for the next time it's needed for better acceleration. In all modes however if you press the accelerometer right to the floor then the car will give you the max it can from Battery and engine working together. I believe that in Normal mode it also adjusts to your driving style - so drive economically and it will tend towards the Eco program and drive spirited and it will tend to the Sport program. 

[DBIZO]

On 8/22/2023 at 9:17 PM, alanfp said:

Hi All

Lexus official site seems to say that in Sport mode the battery will assist the petrol engine. Does it not do that in normal drive mode if I floor the accelerator? 

Thanks.

Not sure it means a great deal given the power limitation of those NiMh batteries. In Sport it's great helping the engine out with instant torque at low speeds, but at higher speeds it fades quickly because the power limit is low even if the Battery is nearly full. It's real shame Lexus decided not to upgrade the Battery at one point in the IS300h lifecycle to lift the power delivery and recuperation limits.

Rather than noticing the Battery boost, I noticed that the engine will stay primed, not switching off, in Sport mode, echoing Phil's experience above.