Lexus will reveal its first all-electric car later this month on 20 April.
The Lexus RZ 450e will be unveiled via a global online broadcast, Toyota’s luxury sub-brand has confirmed.
So far, there are only a handful of things we know for certain about the RZ 450e, in part thanks to some new photos Lexus has released.
The first thing we know for certain is that the RZ 450e will share a platform with the Toyota bZ4X SUV and Subaru Solterra.
As a result, the RZ 450e looks similar in size and proportions but retains the aggressive and sharp styling consumers have become accustomed to with Lexus.
Perhaps the most interesting (or concerning) aspect of the RZ 450e’s design is its spoke wheel design. First seen on the Tesla Model S Plaid, spoke steering wheels aren’t strictly wheels at all – they’re missing the top section, making them more reminiscent of the controls you’d find on a plane.
Of course, this is fine on a plane but, when you come to do a three-point turn, you might find the odd shape of the yoke steering wheel to be a hindrance.
The RZ 450e should get a steer-by-wire system that can adjust the speed of the steering at different speeds, making it less jittery when you’re going fast but quicker lock-to-lock at low speeds. Fortunately, Toyota made the yoke steering wheel an option on the bZ4X and we expect to see the same on the RZ 450e.
We’d also expect the RZ 450e to borrow the same powertrains and have similar performance to the bZ4X.
That means a 300-mile range from a 71 kWh battery. It can also be charged to 80% in just half an hour with a 150 kW DC charger. The batteries are stored flat and low within the SUV’s frame, which should make for better handling characteristics, as well.
Keyword: Lexus Teases First All-Electric Car, The RZ 450e