2022 Lexus RZ (EV)

New Lexus RZ Electric Crossover Fully Revealed

Lexus has whipped the wraps off its first dedicated fully electric vehicle, which arrives as a posher and more powerful version of the awkwardly named Toyota bZ4X. Let’s take a closer look at what the new RZ has to offer…

Meet the new Lexus RZ, the Japanese luxury brand’s first “globally available” standalone fully electric vehicle. The newcomer establishes a fresh design direction set to feature on the company’s upcoming battery-powered models, with the designers taking a new approach to the signature spindle grille.

Previewed back in February 2022 in 450e guise, the new RZ crossover kicks off the Toyota-backed premium brand’s plan to offer a full line-up of battery-powered vehicles “in all categories” by 2030. In fact, by 2035, Lexus aims to be sell only electric cars.

Riding on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform (and effectively taking the form of a more premium, more powerful version of the Toyota bZ4X), the Lexus RZ measures 4 805 mm long, 1 895 mm wide and stands 1 635 mm tall. The newcomer’s wheelbase, meanwhile, comes in at 2 850 mm.

With a 150 kW electric motor positioned on the front axle and an 80 kW item sited at the rear (both fed by a 71.4 kWh battery pack and effectively creating a 230 kW vehicle with all-wheel drive), the RZ features a claimed cruising range of around 450 km.

The RZ gains a new steer-by-wire set-up that Lexus claims enables vehicle control that is “more true to the driver’s intention”. In addition, the electric crossover features a system that uses wheel speed, acceleration and steering angle sensor information to control the front-to-rear drive force ratio distribution between 100:0 and 0:100.

 
Lexus RZ450e is official - first BEV from Lexus

Today Lexus launched its first EV - the brand new RZ450e. It is the first vehicle in what is called “Lexus Electrified Vision” - the plan to have a full lineup of electric Lexuses and going 100 percent electric by 2035. Although based on the same platform as Toyota and Subaru, Lexus is trying really hard to stand out - and it shows.

The front of the Lexus RZ450e greets us with the usual Lexus trapezoidal design, no longer a grille since there’s no need for cooling, the lights are way different than on the Toyota or Subaru, the whole front is let’s say - assertive? The launch model we have seen in the video was in single color but the RZ 450e will also be available in dual-tone with black bonnet and the middle part of the front bumper.

The sides carry a lot of black as well, the mirrors, the pillars and Lexus decided to replace the rear side glass with black panels to visually join the roof with the rest of the body. The exterior design is nicely finished with the rear that carries a different spoiler than Toyota or Subaru, full width LED lights that stretch onto the sides with Lexus name in chrome sitting proudly just below the middle brake light.

The most controversial bit about the interior is the yoke steering. The car will also be available with standard steering wheel, so Lexus will give us a choice here.

The big difference here between RZ and its siblings, is the positioning of the instruments and the size of the main screen. The instrument cluster sits really close to the driver unlike in Toyota when it’s pushed much further back. The central screen is a 14” affair so quite a bit larger as well, with a rotating drive selector sitting in the middle console next to large cup holders. The start button has a prominent position sitting just above the left corner of the central screen.


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Lexus RZ 450e

The Lexus RZ 450e is an all-new battery electric SUV, the first Lexus electric vehicle to be developed from the ground up. It is not a vehicle that simply adopts battery electric power in place of a conventional engine; it goes much further to realise the exciting potential of new technologies that enhance performance and driving pleasure, true to the Lexus Electrified philosophy.

Chief Engineer Takashi Watanabe explains: "Our vision is to use electrification technology as a means to enhance basic vehicle performance, so that we can continue to pursue driving pleasure for all future generations."

First and foremost, the RZ is a Lexus, retaining all the fine qualities of performance and craftsmanship associated with the brand. The company has leveraged its wealth of vehicle electrification experience to deliver the benefits of a BEV with the essential refinement and driving experience that are unique to its brand. This is witnessed, for example, in an advanced drivetrain featuring optional by-wire steering with a new One Motion Grip yoke and front and rear e-Axles that work in conjunction with Lexus' new DIRECT4 all-wheel drive torque control. The fundamentals of handling and responsiveness are secured with a dedicated new electric vehicle platform, which brings excellent body rigidity, a low centre of gravity and a long wheelbase. A powerful lithium-ion battery unit is fully integrated in the chassis, beneath the cabin floor, its quality finely controlled to ensure performance is maintained long-term.


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All-electric Lexus RZ is under consideration for South Africa

Lexus is no stranger to electrification, with almost its entire line-up being hybrid powered, but when it comes to fully-electric vehicles the Japanese premium carmaker has lagged a little.

But that’s set to change with the release of the all-new Lexus RZ, which joins the new Toyota bZ4X on the company’s new dedicated EV architecture called e-TNGA.

Lexus says the newcomer heralds its transition into a BEV-centred brand.

There’s also a fair chance that the Lexus RZ will come to South Africa as the local division says the new model is currently “under study”.

The all-wheel drive electric SUV is powered by two electric motors: one on the front axle that produces 150kW and another at the rear, which adds 80kW to the tally.

Its 71.4kWh battery is said to offer a range of up to 450km, according to factory claims, and Lexus believes that its battery-control technology will allow it to retain at least 90 percent of its capacity after 10 years of use.

The vehicle measures 4.8 metres in length and 1.89 metres in width, making it slightly larger than the Lexus NX but a bit smaller than the RX.

 
The Lexus RZ is here, and it’s electric

Lexus joins the BEV party with its first purpose-built electric car, the RZ SUV

This, ladies and gents of the internet, is the new Lexus RZ. Plainly very Lexus-looking on first glance, but this one’s special because it’s the company’s first proper electric car.

‘Now hang on,’ the anoraks among you will be saying, pushing a pair of rimless glasses up the bridge of your nose. ‘Aren’t you forgetting the Lexus UX300e?’

Ah, now you see the UX300e was the firm’s first electric car. Half decent too. But that was merely a normal vehicle with the combustion bits chucked out and replaced with EV gubbins. The Lexus RZ on the other hand is purpose-built to be electric.

It’s much better for it too. Sitting on the e-TNGA platform that Lexus shares with Toyota, the bespoke underpinnings allow for a much bigger battery: 71.4kWh to be precise, with real-world range estimated (in the US at least) around the 225-mile mark.

Lexus says the RZ will be all-wheel-drive with a 150kW motor up front and an 80kW motor at the back. If that all feels rather familiar, don’t fret. This is the identical format employed by the new Toyota bZ4X, the car from which the RZ was separated from at birth. Badge engineering and all that.

 
Lexus RZ450e reinvents the steering wheel and it works

Recently announced Lexus RZ450e is being put through its paces before officially reaching the first customers, first lucky members of press are taking test drives and Tom Moloughney from Motor1 was invited to Spain to spend few hours driving the RZ450e around the Circuit Parcmotor Castelloli near Barcelona.

The vehicles presented to press were early pre-production prototypes and the focus went onto trying out the Lexus’s new steering solution - the yoke. Lexus goes as far as not even naming it the yoke but calling it OMG (at least in Europe) and they are absolutely serious about it - One Motion Grip or OMG for short. The Internet is going to have a field day with this one…

Unlike the yoke in latest Tesla Plaid models this apparently is a completely different animal. The RZ450e uses a drive-by-wire system so there’s no physical connection between the steering wheel - or the OMG - and the wheels of the car, meaning variable steering ratio is possible making the OMG actually a useful device. Tesla drivers who shared their views of the new yoke steering had one complaint - trying to turn the car around or manoeuvring in tight spaces can be challenging. Lexus fixes that with progressive system which means never having to cross hands however tight the turn is - simple and effective.


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Lexus RZ Prototype review: first test of new 'One Motion Grip' yoke steering

What’s the verdict?

You can’t fail to be impressed by the steer-by-wire technology in the prototype RZ, even if a Luddite part of you feels like it’s dying by admitting as much.

There is an unanswered question of what the system would feel like through a regular steering wheel. But I predict it would be poor. Without limiting the wheel movement, or knowing where the driver’s hands are to start with, it could lead to a royal mess with dodgy results.

We’ve tried active steering racks on various cars with regular wheels and we don't love them. So let’s not go there.

Because for now, we don't need to. Since you will be able to choose your steering type when the RZ is launched, you can either languish in the present. Or you can participate in the future with the yoke. It’s your call.

 
Lexus unveils 400hp RZ 450e at Tokyo Auto Salon

The Tokyo Auto Salon is well underway and among the many exciting new models on display is the new Lexus RZ Sport Concept. It is based on the road-going RZ, but has undergone a series of modifications to boost its performance and give it a more aggressive look.

The RZ Sport Concept comes in a white color called Hakugin and features blue accents on the front fascia and roof. The car was developed under the guidance of racing driver Masahiro Sasaki and boasts some unique body panels. The front end features a matte black grille with carbon fiber panels on either side. The hood is carbon fiber as well and it has large air vents. Flared wheel arches and aerodynamic louvers add to the aggressive looks.

The modifications continue with 21-inch Volk Racing wheels wrapped in 295/35 tires. The SUV sits 35 millimeters lower and features rocker panels in matte black. The wheel wells have also been replaced with flared wheel arches. There is a front matte black lip spoiler and a carbon fiber wing that extends from the roof. Another carbon fiber wing sits on the decklid. To top off the look, Lexus has even developed a one-of-a-kind diffuser finished in gloss black.

The inside of the SUV is not on display at the moment. According to the company, there are bucket seats for the driver and front passenger. The RZ Sport Concept comes with a pair of electric motors, one at the front and one at the back. Together they produce 402 horsepower or 300 kW which is a healthy bump from the standard RZ 450e. Lexus did not disclose the torque value yet.



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2023 Lexus RZ 450e Starts at $59,650

The trims on this EV don't truly dictate its 220-mile range capabilities. But the buyer's choice of wheels will.

After making its debut in the spring of 2022, Lexus has finally released pricing for its first fully electric vehicle. Including a $1,150 destination charge, the RZ 450e starts at $59,650.

The RZ 405e is Lexus’ first EV. Even though it shares mechanics with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, Lexus went further in length to make the RZ its own with Lexus-brand styling. At first glance, you could almost mistake it for an electrified version of the RX.

 
Lexus RZ 450e gets priced in the US

Lexus' first all-electric model is the RZ 450e. Think of it as a Toyota bZ4X, but Lexus-ified, and with a marginally less horrible name. Okay, so they're not technically identical, but they do share the same e-TNGA platform. They're less related than the Toyota is to the Subaru Solterra, but much more so than the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, which also share a platform.

The Lexus RZ 450e is now priced in the US, and you can apparently even pre-order one through one of the Lexus dealers. The car starts at $59,650 in the Premium trim, and goes up to $65,150 in the Luxury trim.

Both of these have the same AWD drivetrain that develops 230 kW of power (313 hp), which enables a 0 to 60mph (0 to 96 km/h) time of 5 seconds. The battery capacity is 71.4 kWh, and Lexus estimates range at 220 miles for the Premium trim and 196 miles for the Luxury trim.

 
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