The all-new Lexus RZ 450e.
23-04-2022 17:44 - CAR NEWS
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The new Lexus RZ 450e is now available for online reservations. You will be redirected to your local Lexus website for markets where online reservation is available. It is 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.
The frontal design distinguishes the RZ as a BEV. With no internal combustion engine, the bonnet has been lowered and the intake openings have been reduced. The spindle grille has been a signature feature of Lexus models for the past decade, but with the RZ the spindle shape has evolved three dimensionally and been applied instead to the vehicle's body. The look is accentuated by finishing what would usually be the grille area in the car's body colour, and blacking out the area to each side. The greater design flexibility has also allowed more muscular front wings to be produced. The effect is heightened by an optional new bi-tone design for the bodywork which extends the contrasting black area from the roof to the bonnet. The new-design headlight units are unified with the spindle body. Ultra-slim, they give extra emphasis to the Lexus L-motif of the daytime running lights, while the principal headlight lamps and turn indicators are made less prominent.
The BEV character is also expressed in the RZ's rear end design, with a cool, high-tech look. The split rear roof spoiler extends the design's rearward flow and contributes to the car's stable performance. The elongated light bar across the width of the car has become a hallmark feature of Lexus design. Here it has a sharp, minimalist look with the top and bottom made as thin as possible to give the impression of simplicity and precision.
The RZ uses a lithium-ion battery in a stack comprising 96 cells, with a total output of 71.4 kWh. It is located entirely beneath the cabin and forms an integral part of the platform. Its position also contributes the car's low centre of gravity. Battery durability was a key consideration, in particular the level of performance that could be expected after 10 years of driving. Lexus expects the RZ's battery to retain more than 90% of its capacity within that timeframe, thanks to a series of measures to safeguard quality and performance, founded on Lexus' long experience of battery management technologies. Details of the vehicle's driving range and battery charging times will be announced at a later date, but Lexus expects the RZ will be able to cover more than 400 km in the combined WLTP cycle.
The RZ is the first production model to feature Lexus's new DIRECT4 system, working with the two e-Axles. DIRECT 4, an exclusive Lexus technology, is an intelligent system that constantly balances the traction of all four wheels, automatically and seamlessly distributing drive force. The result is stress-free performance and stable handling, with intuitive operation strengthening the sense of connection between driver and machine. DIRECT4 uses ECU sensors to collect, evaluate and react to a range of factors, including vehicle speed, steering angle, and G forces. From these inputs, it calculates and immediately applies the appropriate drive torque to each e-Axle to maximise grip and traction. The front/rear torque bias can be adjusted from zero to 100 or 100 to zero in milliseconds – faster than any mechanical system. With better communication between the road and steering wheel (or yoke), DIRECT4 also improves steering response. To help drivers maximise their vehicle's range potential, the RZ's selectable drive modes include a Range mode. This builds on the energy saving performance of the ECO mode by further adjusting certain vehicle settings: speed is limited, a different power distribution programme is initiated, and the climate control system is switched off. Thanks to a focus on key factors, including optimised vehicle weight, battery power and performance, the RZ has a target consumption below 18 kilowatts per 100 km driven, which makes the RZ one of the most efficient BEVs on the market.