Like the bZ4X at Toyota, the RZ 450e is the first 100% electric vehicle to join the Lexus range.
At first glance, you know you’re dealing with a Lexus product thanks to the hooked headlights and the hourglass-shaped grille. Of course, as the RZ is an electric vehicle, there is no grille in front of the vehicle since it does not have the same cooling needs as a model equipped with a combustion engine.
At the rear, a red luminescent band surrounds the tailgate and joins the lights on each side, a feature that can also be seen on the UX, NX, RX and LX models from Lexus.
Photo: Lexus
Luxurious interior
Inside, the center console faces the driver’s seat. A huge 14-inch touch screen sits in the center of the console. Lexus also promises a redesigned multimedia system incorporating a voice assistant. Safety is also put forward via the Lexus + 3.0 system, which includes a host of driver assistance technologies.
As always with Lexus, great attention is paid to detail in order to provide a premium environment. In particular, great attention was paid to soundproofing by using acoustic glass and making sure to have tight joints.
Photo: Lexus
Standard four-wheel drive
Equipped with all-wheel drive, the Lexus RZ can distribute all of the torque to each axle depending on the conditions encountered. To benefit from four-wheel drive, the RZ has two motors, one in the front and one in the rear. The front engine develops 150 kW (201 horsepower) and the rear engine 80 kW (107 hp).
The battery has a capacity identical to that of the Toyota bZ4X, ie 71.4 kWh. According to Lexus, the autonomy should be around 360 kilometers.
The Lexus RZ is presented for the first time in Canada as part of the Montreal Auto Show, from January 20 to 29.