The all-new RX 450h will make its European debut as the centrepiece of the Lexus stand at the Geneva motor show.

The car has important design changes to the hybrid drive power train which will deliver substantially lower carbon dioxide emissions when the luxury crossover goes on sale in the summer.

Lexus says the technology will set a benchmark in its class, with performance figures below those achieved by the current best-performing diesels.

Fuel efficiency is said to be improved and there is more power on tap than in the car's predecessor, the RX 400h, which was first to introduce hybrid power to the premium market.

The exterior gets a total makeover with sharp body lines. In the cabin the new dual-zone crossover cockpit has several technical innovations for improved safety and comfort.

The new Lexus IS 250C will also be presented at Geneva, before going on sale in the summer.

The all-aluminium folding roof can be lowered in just 20 seconds to give open-top pleasure, with more dynamic hard-top performance.

It shares the same 205bhp 2.5-litre V6 engine as the IS 250 sports saloon and has six-speed automatic transmission.

Also on the Lexus stand will be the IS-F high performance saloon, the GS 450h hybrid sports saloon and the hybrid flagship, the LS 600h saloon.