Cooler than a Toyota bZ4X or Subaru Solterra? New all-electric RZ might be best looking Lexus ever
Cooler than a Toyota bZ4X or Subaru Solterra? New all-electric RZ might be best looking Lexus ever
Cooler than a Toyota bZ4X or Subaru Solterra? New all-electric RZ might be best looking Lexus ever
Cooler than a Toyota bZ4X or Subaru Solterra? New all-electric RZ might be best looking Lexus ever
Lexus appears to have used its annual sales briefing to confirm its new RZ will hit the production line unchanged from the previously released “design” images, with the electric SUV arriving as a sleek and sporty-looking offering that might end up shading its Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra siblings.
While images released in December were tagged “Design” – suggesting they were still in concept stage – they’re now simply tagged “Lexus RZ 450e”, hinting that we’re now looking at the finished product.
The Lexus, Toyota and Subaru are closely related, and share the same e-TNGA underpinnings, but the design of the Lexus variant is clearly intended to set it apart.
While the Toyota has a smooth finish to its front end, the Lexus RZ adopts an EV take on that brand’s Spindle-style front-end, with a squared-off central panel that leads to two intricate edge designs that talk to the rest of the Lexus family.
The rear of the vehicle is considerably different, too, reducing the size of the rear brake lights to form a single line of light that stretches from end to end.
While the details surrounding the new RZ is yet to be revealed, Japanese media have identified some key elements.
Local media suggest the new model will be similar in size to the RX, stretching approximately 4890mm in length, 1895mm in width and 1690mm in height –making it slightly longer, wider and taller than the bZ4X.
Local media is also tipping the RZ to outperform its Toyota sibling where it counts, too. The bZ4X is equipped with a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a 460km driving range, along with (in AWD versions) twin 80kW motors for a combined outputs of 160kW.
While power figures are yet to be revealed, the RZ is expected to out punch the Toyota in performance terms, and may also score a bigger battery for a longer driving range. In fact, local press do point to the LF-Z Concept as inspiration, which was fitted with a 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack and produced 400kW and 700Nm – though they concede those numbers might not be quite within reach.
The big question, then, is how much? Lexus is yet to confirm pricing, but with Toyota in Australia already warning the bZ4X won’t be cheap, you can expect its more premium sibling to be priced well above it.
Keyword: Cooler than a Toyota bZ4X or Subaru Solterra? New all-electric RZ might have one of the best looking Lexus front-ends ever