Lexus RZ 450e steering yoke debut unclear

The radical steering yoke that is the star attraction of the new Lexus RZ 450e will not be on offer when the all-new electric SUV launches in Australia in mid-2023.

Lexus Australia isn’t saying just when the yoke will be offered, but it is adamant it will eventually become available here.

“Steer-by-wire with yoke steering is an important Lexus innovation,” read an emailed Lexus statement sent in response to questions from carsales.

“It will be available to RZ buyers in this market. How and when steer-by-wire will be integrated into the product offering is yet to be determined.”

carsales tested the yoke during a brief drive of a pre-production left-hand drive Lexus RZ 450e at a test track in Melbourne last week. You can read our assessment here.

The yoke, which is rectangular and looks like it has been taken from a racing car, is paired with a steer-by-wire system rather than a mechanical linkage to the front wheels.

In some countries it is being marketed as One Motion Grip, or OMG.

The Toyota bZ4X electric SUV, which shares the same e-TNGA dedicated-EV platform and mechanicals as the RZ 450e, is also capable of offering the yoke and steer-by-wire.

But it is not clear if it will be offered in the Australian-spec bZ4X, the local release of which has blown out into 2023.

EV specialist Tesla has released yoke steering with the latest Model S and Model X, but no definitive timing has yet been confirmed for their release in Australia.

The Tesla system does not pair the yoke with steer-by-wire, so there are still multiple revolutions lock-to-lock.

The variable gear ratio of the e-TNGA steer-by-wire system means going from lock to lock takes less than one full revolution. That avoids crossing and tangling arms, as happens with the Tesla yoke in tight turns.

Lexus Australia hasn’t offered any explanation for the yoke not becoming available with the RZ from mid-2023.

One possible reason is the Australian Design Rule (ADR) homologation process. Both Lexus and the federal department of transport have confirmed the RZ 450e is not yet homologated for Australian sale.

According to a list supplied by Lexus Australia, the yoke must comply with ADR 42 (general safety), ADR 90 (steering systems), ADR 69 (full frontal impact) and ADR 73 (offset frontal impact).

It could be that the yoke might take some time to wend its way through this bureaucratic process.

Alternatively, Lexus production schedules might dictate the yoke is released later as part of a staggered model launch process.

Backing that up, Lexus UK lists a later introduction date for its two higher-spec models with steer-by-wire than the entry-level model without it.

The base-spec RZ that comes with orthodox electric-assist power steering and a mechanical link to the steering rack launches around the end of this year, while the other two models don’t start production April 2023.

Lexus Australia says it wants the yoke and steer-by-wire because it fits with its high-tech and innovative image.

The advantages of the yoke and steer-by-wire combo cited by Lexus include easier operation at lower speeds, easier control on rough roads, in high winds and angled surfaces, easier ingress and egress for the driver, and a clearer view of the instrument panel.

Lexus also argues the elimination of the mechanical link enables only good ‘feel’ to be filtered back to the driver by the electronics. For instance, brake and tyre vibration are decreased.

Unlike the old Infiniti steer-by-wire system introduced by the now-departed Nissan luxury brand in the mid-size Q50 sedan in 2014, there is no mechanical back-up in case of failure.

Instead, like a commercial airliner, the system has duplicate back-up systems in place.

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