The Lexus RZ 450e 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. First and foremost, the RZ is a Lexus, retaining all the fine qualities of performance and craftsmanship associated with the brand. The company has leveraged its wealth of vehicle electrification experience to deliver the benefits of a BEV with the essential refinement and driving experience that are unique to its brand. This is witnessed, for example, in an advanced drivetrain featuring optional by-wire steering with a new One Motion Grip yoke and front and rear e-Axles that work in conjunction with Lexus’ new DIRECT4 all-wheel drive torque control. The fundamentals of handling and responsiveness are secured with a dedicated new electric vehicle platform, which brings excellent body rigidity, a low centre of gravity and a long wheelbase.
The platform and battery electric drivetrain also open up new freedoms in design. The exterior reinterprets the signature Lexus spindle shape in the vehicle’s body, while the interior is a light and open space that is both simple and luxurious, expressing Lexus Omotenashi hospitality and Takumi craftsmanship. The RZ is the next step in Lexus’ move towards becoming a 100% BEV brand in Western and Central Europe by 2030. The new model will be available for European customers to reserve as from April 20, ahead of the first vehicle deliveries from the end of 2022. With its zero-emission performance, the RZ will help Lexus in its progress towards carbon neutrality and a sustainable mobility society. Here, the focus is not just on the car’s performance on the road; it embraces its entire lifecycle, from parts procurement, manufacturing and ownership through to eventual disposal. Already new methods have been adopted at Lexus’ Motomachi factory, the RZ production centre, in the processes that produce the highest emissions.
The RZ uses the Lexus’ e-Axle that was first introduced in the UX 300e. This is a compact, modular package which consists of a motor, gearing and an ECU, located between the driven wheels. On the RZ they are used front and rear and operate in conjunction with the DIRECT4 all-wheel drive control system (details below) to adjust the vehicle’s posture, traction and power distribution, according to the driving conditions. The e-Axles are quiet, efficient and deliver precise power. The front motor produces 150 kW and the rear 80 kW, giving a total power output of 230 kW. Both have superior power density, thanks to optimised rotor and stator design. Their compact dimensions also contribute to the car’s packaging, helping secure more space in the cabin and load compartment and to accommodate the EV battery.
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. With better communication between the road and steering wheel (or yoke), DIRECT4 also improves steering response. 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.
The RZ’s cockpit is an evolution of the Tazuna concept. This brings together the driver’s position at the wheel and the precise arrangement of the meters, controls and displays to create a space where only small movements of hand and eye are required operate the vehicle. The principle is inspired by the small adjustments of the reins a rider uses to control a horse – the meaning of “Tazuna” in Japanese. With the introduction of the optional One Motion Grip (detailed above), the full benefits of the Tazuna driver cockpit philosophy can be realised. The cabin is designed as a light and open space, enhanced by ambient lighting with a wide spectrum of selectable colours to suit the mood of the journey. Lexus has also created a new illumination effect, In-ei, which produces different effects from with patterns of light and shadow across the door panels. The arrangement of the meters, head-up display and 14-inch multimedia display has been optimised and the instrument panel has been set low, further improving the driver’s forward sightline. The designers also interpreted the BEV performance in a clean and minimalistic look with fewer elements and less ornamentation, while still using high quality materials. The centre console features a new dial-type control for the shift-by-wire system, reflecting the overall design simplicity.
