Lexus RZ receives racy reception

Lexus Australia says it has been encouraged by the reception its first dedicated electric vehicle – the Lexus RZ – received during its Australian debut at the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

The hand-built left-hand drive Lexus RZ 450e prototype was transported to Australia to be shown off to more than 1400 guests in the Lexus hospitality area at Flemington’s exclusive Birdcage.

Subsequently, local motoring media were given the chance to briefly sample the all-new electric SUV on a test track at Toyota’s Altona North facility.

Pricing and specifications won’t be announced until closer to the new model’s local launch in mid-2023, when the RZ will bring the number of electrified models in the local Lexus line-up to nine, joining six hybrids, one plug-in hybrid and one other battery-electric SUV, the UX 300e.

But we do know there will be multiple equipment grades and the expectation is the RZ will start around $100,000 given that’s where logical opposition like the BMW iX3, Genesis GV60 and Tesla Model Y Performance are situated.

The RZ is an important catch-up play for Lexus as its luxury rivals already have multiple EVs in their line-ups. Lexus has also committed to going emissions-free by 2035.

While Lexus was an early electrified vehicle adopter via hybrid technology and its sole EV, the UX 300e, shares its platform with the petrol-powered UX, the RZ is a stand-alone model that is based on the dedicated Toyota e-TNGA architecture.

At 4805mm long, 1895mm wide and 1635mm high, the RZ sizes up a little smaller than the new-generation RX large SUV, which itself will be renewed in the first quarter of 2023.

While the RZ and RX are both five-door, five-seat SUVs and have some styling similarities, they share no body panels and only some interior equipment like the 14-inch touch-screen.

The RZ will debut technology for Lexus such as yoke steering, steer-by-wire and the Direct4 dual-motor all-wheel drive system.

However, as reported here, the yoke and steer-by-wire system – which are twinned – won’t be part of the line-up when the RZ launches in Australia. Its arrival date has not been set.

The RZ will come with a 230kW/435Nm powertrain, a 71.4kWh battery, a 5.6 sec 0-100km claim and a 450km range claim (WLTP).

Its maximum DC fast-charging recharging rate is a relatively mediocre 150kW, reflecting its lithium-ion battery’s 355-volt rating, although average energy consumption is rated at a respectable 15.86kWh/100km.

Curiously, Lexus has elected not to blend regenerative capability with the hydraulic disc braking system. Instead, regen can only be raised or lowered via paddles on the steering wheel, so there is no one-pedal driving function.

Lexus Australia public relations chief Paul Ellis was on-site at Flemington for two days of the four-day carnival and described the RZ’s reception as “extremely positive”.

“It was just as much the external design of the car as it was the tech and BEV powertrain,” he enthused.

“We feast with our eyes and the RZ’s striking design won a lot of people over before the ‘oh wow’ response to the yoke steering.

“Of course, there were – and are – many waiting on a dedicated BEV from Lexus, so the anticipation is high from these Lexus customers already aligned to the brand.”

While Lexus Australia is staying quiet about what to expect from the RZ 450e when it comes to Australia, some other countries are already rolling out model range details ahead of launch.

The Poms will get three variants – the £62,600 ($A109,700) Premium Pack, the £66,500 (A$116,400) Premium Plus Pack and the £72,000 ($126,000) Takumi.

Features standard in the Premium Pack include 18-inch alloy wheels, single LED headlights with auto high-beam, synthetic leather upholstery and a heated steering wheel, plus eight-way powered front seats with two-way lumbar for the driver.

There’s also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, Lexus Link connected services, 10-speaker audio, dual-zone air-conditioning, four USB-C chargers, a power tailgate and panoramic roof.

Safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, front and rear cross traffic alert, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, a reversing camera and safe exit assist, which stops the doors opening when a car or bicycle is approaching.

The Premium Plus pack upgrades to 20-inch alloys, front seat ventilation, driver’s seat memory, front-seat radiator knee heaters, a head-up display and 360-degree camera.

The Takumi adds ultra-suede upholstery, adaptive high-beam, 64 colour ambient lighting, auto and remote parking, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio, Yamaha-tuned performance dampers and a dimmable panoramic roof that allows light but not UV rays to pass through when activated.

In the top two models, dual-tone paint is optional – as is steer-by-wire and the yoke.

Lexus UK says Premium and Premium Plus versions of the RZ can tow 750kg, but no towing is allowed with the Takumi and there is no spare tyre in any model.

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