- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Ar
Lexus RZ. 1st generation 2022
The Lexus RZ is the first Lexus electric SUV built on the eTNGA platform, which makes it related to Toyota’s very first “Beyond Zero”, the Toyota bZ4X, and its “twin” Subaru Solterra. But unlike them, the Lexus RZ produces more power (313 hp versus 217 hp) and boasts premium equipment. The Lexus electric vehicle is offered in the only RZ 450e modification with a twin-engine powertrain and a driving range of 400-450 km. The first generation electric SUV was released in the spring of 2022. And now it has become known that the new Lexus RZ 450e will go on sale in the Israeli market from March 2023. The initial cost is stated at around 449,990 shekels.
The manufacturer promises that even after ten years of operation, the battery will retain more than 90% of its capacity.
Exterior
The mid-sized luxury Lexus RZ looks like its hybrid ‘sibling’, the Lexus RX, even the dimensions are similar: it is 4,805 mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,635 mm high. The signature style is aggressive and assertive, but the coupe-inspired sloping roofline makes the vehicle look softer. Similar to the Toyota bZ4X, the wheelbase is 2,850 mm.
Equipment
Even the entry-level version is well-equipped, featuring a multimedia system with a 14-inch touch screen, voice control, compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, an electrochromic sunroof with variable transparency, heated/ventilated seats, etc. A set of Lexus safety systems includes automatic braking (including when reversing), adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane control, driver status monitoring and more.
Powertrains
The new 2023 Lexus RZ comes in only one version, the RZ 450e. The twin-engine powertrain (204-horsepower electric motor in front and 109 horsepower in the rear) develops a total of 313 hp, which allows the all-wheel drive SUV to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the maximum speed is limited at around 160 km/h. There will be the Direct4 system, which constantly redistributes traction between the wheels, based on data from a set of sensors. Lexus emphasizes that this provides optimal acceleration and handling. A lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 71.4 kWh provides a range of 400-450 km. The vehicle supports two chargers: a fast 150kW DC charger or an 11kW AC home charger.
