Lexus RZ 450e revealed

After an extended teaser campaign, Lexus has finally revealed the all-new, all-electric Lexus RZ 450e that’s based on the incoming Toyota bZ4X SUV.

Under evaluation for the Australian market but not yet confirmed, the 2022 Lexus RZ 450e is built on Toyota’s e-TNGA architecture, making it the premium brand’s first model to be underpinned by a dedicated EV platform.

Its first electric car, the smaller Lexus UX 300e, shares its TNGA GA-C platform with its combustion-engined stablemates (and the Toyota C-HR).

Emerging overnight, the RZ 450e features a dual-motor/all-wheel drive set-up with a grunty 150kW electric motor mounted to the front axle and an 80kW unit attached to the rear, comfortably making it more powerful than the equivalent bZ4X (160kW combined).

The Toyota also offers a single-motor/front-wheel drive version that’s not yet confirmed for the Lexus.

Drawing current from a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Lexus Australia has cited an effective cruising range for the RZ 450e of around 400km – or 450km, based on J-WLTC ‘target values’ – which is down on the dual-motor bZ4X’s WLTP-verified 470km range.

The dual-motor set-up can alternate the drive bias between the front and rear axles depending on the driving situation, with up to 80 per cent of torque sent to the rear.

The RZ 450e will typically operate with a front-axle bias, sending around 60 per cent of the drive to the front wheels while cruising and up to 75 per cent when entering corners in the name of better steering feel.

Suspension duties are provided by MacPherson struts up front and a double-wishbone arrangement at the rear, with frequency reactive dampers featuring in all four corners to help keep the ride as smooth as possible.

Dimensionally, the RZ 450e measures 4805mm long, 1895mm wide and 1635mm tall, with a 2850mm wheelbase, making it roughly the same size of the outgoing Lexus RX large SUV.

The longer wheelbase and dedicated EV platform should translate to a roomy cabin.

Arguably the headline act of the interior is the optional steering yoke, which Lexus claims “greatly reduces the driver’s workload, eliminating the need for hand-over-hand operation, such as for intersections, U-turns, parking and winding roads”.

This is because the yoke acts on a new variable-ratio steer-by-wire system devoid of any mechanical linkage with the steering rack and front wheels.

The Tesla-like system also allowed designers to lower the height of the instrument cluster and thereby create a smoother and more integrated dashboard aesthetic.

Oriented towards the driver, the rest of the cockpit is dominated by a large-diameter infotainment touch-screen, crested by a set of integrated air vents.

The centre console is a simple affair and includes a Lexus-first rotary gear selector and chiselled cup holders.

Electric door latches continue the technology onslaught, as do the electric radiant heaters and optional panoramic roof with dimming function.

Eco-friendly materials like Ultrasuede make up the bulk of the interior’s upholstery, while the latest Lexus Safety System+ suite will ensure a high standard in terms of occupant protection and driver assist tech.

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