The Lexus RZ, the model’s first-ever devoted battery-electrical automobile, will make its world debut on April 20, 2022, the Japanese carmaker introduced just lately. The electrical crossover was previewed by the LF-Z Electrified concept final March earlier than a production version was shown throughout Toyota’s big electric vehicle showcase close to the top of 2021.
To go alongside with its newest announcement, Lexus additionally gave us our first take a look at the RZ’s interior, which bears similarity to mentioned idea. The fundamental consideration-grabbing element is the steering yoke identical to what you’ll discover within the newest Tesla Model S and Model X – it’s not clear if Lexus will provide an everyday steering wheel for purchasers preferring one thing acquainted of their palms.
We additionally discover a driver-centric cockpit with a digital instrument cluster in addition to a modestly sized touchscreen infotainment system angled in the direction of the motive force. The latter integrates the automotive’s media and local weather programs into it, however there are nonetheless bodily dials to management quantity and temperature – two issues that the majority customers will fiddle with on their day by day commute.
Elsewhere, the engine begin button is situated shut to the excessive-mounted air vents, whereas the centre console homes the gear selector, digital parking brake, traction management button and two cupholders. The RZ additionally has triple USB-C ports, a wi-fi cellphone charger and a head-up show, primarily based on what we are able to see.
Just just like the interior, the outside of the RZ additionally stays comparatively true to the present automotive that previewed it. Key design cues embrace the “spindle body” entrance finish that mimics the grille on Lexus’ petrol-powered fashions. There are additionally black panels beneath the sharp headlamps (with boomerang-formed DRLs), black wheel arch flares, a kinked window line and full-width taillights.
The RZ is reportedly a posher version of the Toyota bZ4X, suggesting it rides on the identical e-TNGA platform (Lexus might have its personal fancy identify for it) that can be shared with the Subaru Solterra. The RZ 450e can be one of the variants obtainable, and it’ll seemingly come with two electrical motors for all-wheel drive (as hinted by the Direct4 badge).
Expect the RZ 450e to have extra energy than the bZ4X’s most output of 218 PS (215 hp or 160 kW) in addition to a battery bigger than 71.4 kWh. The LF-Z Electrified idea packed a 90-kWh battery that’s good for a variety of up to 600 km, and it’s touted as being moderately brisk too: 0-100 km/h in three seconds and a high velocity of 200 km/h.
GALLERY: Lexus RZ 450e
GALLERY: Lexus LF-Z Electrified idea
