With the global reveal of the all-new battery electric Lexus RZ 450e, Lexus has given the world a glimpse into the future of Lexus Electrified as it accelerates towards a full line-up of BEVs by 2030.

Newly designed and developed from the ground up, the new Lexus RZ will be the first completely new battery electric vehicle from Lexus and prefaces the future direction of the Japanese luxury brand. The reveal of more details of the RZ follows the announcement in December 2021 that Lexus is working towards the goal of 100% BEV global sales by 2035, with a full range of BEVs available across all categories by 2030.

Lexus New Zealand General Manager Andrew Davis says the new Lexus RZ BEV is an evolution of the Lexus Driving Signature using full battery electrification technology.

“As Lexus’ first dedicated BEV, the Lexus RZ embodies our vision for the future of electrification,” says Andrew. “The RZ revealed today is the first of an all-new line up of battery electric vehicles that combine all new electrified powertrains with the exhilarating Lexus driving experience.”

“We continue to aim to provide customers with a driving experience that resonates with the soul and gives a new level of ride comfort and quietness by taking advantage of electrification and advancing Lexus’ key focus of design and performance,” says Andrew.

The Lexus RZ heralds a new direction in brave design, a new powertrain, and a leap forward in dynamic performance that delivers a palpable connection between driver and the road. The new DIRECT4*¹ technology achieves an unparalleled driving experience that intuitively responds to the driver’s intentions while effectively controlling the drive force of all four wheels in a variety of driving situations.

“Lexus is focused on contributing to the realisation of a sustainable mobility society, while still providing exhilarating cars for customers to drive,” says Andrew.

The new design of Lexus electrification product allows the transition from the grille concept to a spindle architecture expression that uses the entire vehicle body. The BEV's unique packaging enables it to achieve the comfort and cabin volume of an SUV, while still offering a sleek and cool design.

While the side profile of the RZ will be unmistakably a Lexus SUV, the RZ front and rear will feature a new Lexus Electrified look with sleek lines and sharply angled lights. The RZ is built on a new dedicated BEV e-platform, e-TNGA, which gives Lexus the flexibility to create a range of vehicles with different motor sizes, battery types and drive systems.

Driven by electricity and featuring new safety technology, the Lexus RZ will also stay true to the Lexus brand concepts of brave design, omotenashi (hospitality) and takumi craftsmanship.

More details about the Lexus RZ will be available closer to the local launch in early 2023

FURTHER INFORMATION

Takashi Watanabe, Chief Engineer, Lexus Electrified Lexus International 

We believe that Lexus, an established luxury automaker, should continue pursuing the creation of exciting cars while respecting nature and the global environment to achieve a carbon-neutral society. The RZ has been developed with the aim of creating a uniquely Lexus BEV that feels secure to ride in, is pleasing to the touch, and is exhilarating to drive. DIRECT4, the core technology of Lexus Electrified, is all-wheel drive system that achieves quick and linear response according to driver input. With the transition to BEV, we pursued a special design with functional simplicity featuring the evolution of the spindle grill to the new Lexus spindle body architecture and a cockpit space incorporating the tazuna concept focusing on driver operation. We will continue to take on the challenge of providing customers with new experiences and a uniquely Lexus BEV driving experience.

Main specifications of the new Lexus RZ (prototype) 

*1 DIRECT4 is a registered trademark of Toyota Motor Corporation.

*2 J-WLTC mode development target values