Last year, 706,000 Lexus vehicles were sold worldwide (an increase of 6%). There are only 260,000 hybrids and electric vehicles among them, but the demand for them is growing at a faster pace (plus 10%). Yes, yes, if you forgot, then there is already one electric car in the range: this is a compact crossover Lexus UX 300e, introduced in 2019, although it is not sold in all countries. In the plans – wide range electric vehicles for every taste, and the Lexus RZ 450e SUV will open it. The debut of the production car is scheduled for spring, but the company has already published the first images.
Lexus RZ will actually be a premium version of the crossover Toyota bZ4X (aka Subaru Solterra): under the original body panels and corporate design hides the same body with a characteristic profile. Saved and the location of the hatch charging connector. Accordingly, the same modular e-TNGA platform with McPherson front suspension, rear multi-link, under-floor battery and wire-by-wire steering will form the basis.
Specifications have not yet been released. The original Toyota bZ4X has either front-wheel drive (204 hp) or all-wheel drive (218 hp) versions, both with the same 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery. But the Lexus RZ should have a more advanced filling: this is required by the “450” index, which in other Lexus indicates much higher power. For example, a plug-in hybrid Lexus NX 450h+ has 306 hp Details are in the spring.
By 2030, Lexus plans to have a full range of electric vehicles with models of different classes, with only battery cars remaining in Europe, North America and China. And by 2035, Lexus will switch completely to electric traction.