Lexus has shown off its next mass-production full-electric car with the reveal of the RZ, but plans to sell it in Australia alongside the UX 300e remain unclear.
Based on the same e-TNGA platform as the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, the RZ 450e sports two electric motors, a sizeable 71.4kWh battery, and Lexus’ signature styling and premium appointments.
The two electric motors enable all-wheel-drive traction, with the front unit outputting 150kW and the rear equipped with 80kW.
In total, the combined system output for the Lexus RZ 450e is 230kW/435Nm – exceeding the bZ4X and Solterra’s 160kW/336Nm output.
Driving range in the tailpipe emissions-free model however, is a little murkier, with the international release claiming up to 450km on J-WLTC testing, while the Australian press release quotes “an estimated single-charge cruising range of 400km”.
In the US, where the RZ will be launched later this year in 450e guise, media is reporting a range of 362km.
Either way, the all-wheel-drive-only RZ looks like it won’t have the long legs of the bZ4X or Solterra (which boast up to 500km), likely due to added weight of luxury items such as a leather interior.
Speaking of, inside, the RZ sports a yoke steering wheel, while a digital instrument cluster and massive 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen also features.
From the outside, the RZ is undeniably Lexus thanks to its trapezoidal front-end, which is now incorporated into the bumper as the all-electric model does not have a traditional grille for air intake.
Flanking the pursed nose are two slender headlights, while the charging port can be found on the front left fender.
In profile, the RZ ditches the swathes of black-plastic cladding found on the Toyota and Subaru models in favour of gloss-black wheelarch surrounds which can be colour-matched with the contrasting roof, door pillars and bonnet.
Keyword: A premium alternative to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6! 2023 Lexus RZ detailed as brand's next electric car