Lexus has made official its RZ 450e, its new 100% electric SUV. The luxury sibling of the Toyota bZ4X is a D-segment with 4.8 meters long, a new all-wheel-drive system, and a range that promises to exceed 400 kilometers based on the WLTP cycle.
Lexus RZ technical specifications
| Lexus RZ 450e | |
|---|---|
| Body type | Five-seater SUV |
| Measurements and weight | 4,805 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,635 mm high with a wheelbase of 2,850 mm. |
| Trunk | – |
| Maximum power | 230 kW (313 hp) |
| WLTP consumption | Below 18kWh/100km |
| DGT environmental label | Zero emissions |
| Driving aids (ADAS) | Active steering assistance Cornering steering adjustment Adaptive cruise control with emergency braking, lane-keeping, and blind spot sensor. Cross-traffic alert and parking aid |
| Others | 14-inch center display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility Coated panoramic roof to reduce thermal radiation Radiant heaters Lexus Link multimedia system DCM module for OTA updates |
| Electric hybrid | No |
| Plug-in hybrid | No |
| Electric | 150kw front motor + 80kw rear motor. Autonomy of more than 400km. |
| Price and launch | To be confirmed |
Lexus RZ 450e, a display of luxury and technology
The Lexus RZ 450e is the first electric Lexus from the Japanese giant to be developed completely from scratch. In terms of exterior design, the hood has been lowered and the size of the intake vents reduced. The front end remains pure Lexus, with plenty of muscle and a long wheelbase of almost 2.9 meters. It is a large car, with more than 4.8 meters long, almost 1.9 meters wide, and more than 1.6 meters high. The standard wheels reach 18 inches (optional 20) and are particularly striking elements such as the rear lights, horizontally arranged and linked together.
Its platform is called e-TNGA (the same used by both the Toyota bz4Xe and Subaru Solterra) integrates the battery into the chassis. The aim is to reduce the car’s center of gravity to improve responsiveness, something especially relevant in an SUV. It also highlights the new DIRECT4 all-wheel drive control system, which balances the torque sent to each wheel by sensors that evaluate the behavior of the vehicle. This promises to achieve a more efficient all-wheel drive, regulated by its two electronic axles.
Much of the technological deployment is in the interior of the RZ 450e. The center console has a 14-inch diagonal, with the Lexus infotainment system and compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus also highlights its “active cloud” based navigation system, with real-time road, traffic and accident information. There is a variant with a Yoke steering wheel, which will be quite difficult to land in our territory.
There is no shortage of active safety features such as the Lexus Safety System, capable of detecting accident risks and triggering emergency braking. It is also capable of locking the doors if the opening will not be safe (risk of shock) and has a front camera to determine the angle of the curves and adjust the direction in the turn.
The heart of this Lexus is a dual-engine (rear and front) that offers a maximum power of 230kW (313 hp) with a maximum torque of 435. It promises a range of more than 400km under WLTP homologation, with consumption below 18kWh/100 KM. The top speed is limited to 160 km/h and the battery capacity is 71.4kW. Lexus promises that the battery is capable of retaining 90% of its capacity after 10 years of driving, during which time the battery will be under warranty.
There is, for the moment, no official price or availability for this Lexus. The brand wants to market about 6,000 units in Europe, under a reservation of €1,000 to get one. The units, according to Lexus, will be delivered by the end of 2022.
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