Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand, has joined the Battery Electric Vehicle race.
In a well-attended launch on Tuesday at its Taguig showroom, Lexus unveiled the RZ 450e.
No less than Lexus PH chairman Alfred Ty announced the arrival of the All-New RZ450e.
Lexus has made its intention clear. It is not simply to deliver the benefits of zero-emission, all-electric driving, but to capture the potential of BEVs to reinvent the driving experience.
The car has undergone extensive track testing and refinement at the Shimoyama Centre in Japan, soon to be Lexus’ new global headquarters.
It is not a vehicle that simply adopts battery electric power in place of a conventional engine; it goes much further to realize the exciting potential of new technologies that enhance performance and driving pleasure, true to the Lexus Electrified philosophy.
LEXUS Philippines chairman Alfred V. Ty bares the new all-electric Lexus RZ 450e during Tuesday’s launch at the Lexus showroom in Taguig City.
“The RZ has been developed with the aim of creating a uniquely Lexus BEV that feels secure to ride in, is pleasing to the touch and is exhilarating to drive,” said chief engineer Takashi Watanabe.
“Our vision is to use electrification technology as a means to enhance fundamental vehicle performance so that we can continue to pursue driving pleasure for all future generations.”
Being a Lexus, the RZ retains all the fine qualities of performance and craftsmanship associated with the brand. The company has leveraged its wealth of vehicle electrification experience to deliver the benefits of a BEV with the essential refinement and driving experience that are unique to its brand.
The RZ possesses new e-Axles, the compact motor units used front and rear that work in conjunction with the new DIRECT4 all-wheel electronic drive torque control. High-quality handling and responsiveness are secured with a dedicated new electric vehicle platform, which brings excellent body rigidity, a low center of gravity and a long wheelbase.
A powerful lithium-ion battery unit is fully integrated in the chassis, beneath the cabin floor, its quality finely controlled to ensure performance is maintained long-term.
The platform and battery electric drivetrain also open up new freedoms in design.
The exterior reinterprets the signature Lexus spindle shape in the vehicle’s body, while the interior is a light and open space that is both simple and luxurious, expressing Lexus Omotenashi hospitality and Takumi craftsmanship.
With its zero-emission performance, the RZ will help Lexus in its progress toward carbon neutrality and a sustainable mobility society.
Let’s tackle some of the car’s features.
Exterior design
It has the “Seamless e-Motion” design that expresses the performance, driving pleasure and refinement of an all-electric vehicle.
The RZ is instantly recognizable as both a Lexus and a BEV, with proportions that reflect its dynamic character.
NEW-DESIGN headlight units are unified with the spindle body.
Wheels and tires
The RZ450e for our market is solely offered with 20-inch wheels in a dark premium metallic finish, wrapped in 235/50R20 tires. Other markets also get 18-inch wheels as an option, depending on the variant, that offer slightly better range.
AERODYNAMIC design details help optimize the RZ’s energy efficiency.
Driving performance
Securing the Lexus Driving Signature was the primary goal in the development of the RZ’s dynamic performance and strengthening the car’s core characteristics — the “three Cs” of confidence, control and comfort in all driving situations.
Going further, the benefits of BEV-specific qualities, such as fast response and high precision were maximized.
Noted though is the absence of the Steer-by-Wire option in other markets like the USA. Steer-by-Wire replaces the traditional steering wheel with a yoke (much like an airplane) and has separate motors for steering the vehicle, one for steering the rack, and one for providing feedback to the yoke, effectively removing the conventional steering column. As there is only one variant for the Philippines at launch, this feature may come in the future should Lexus decide.
REINFORCING the qualities of the Lexus driving signature — comfort, confidence and control.
Noise and vibration control
Although the battery electric drivetrain produces less noise than one with an internal combustion engine, its quiet performance makes noise from the road and the car’s surroundings more noticeable. The RZ’s engineers and designers made it a priority to ensure the cabin environment was appropriately calm and quiet, applying a three-part strategy: controlling the noise; preventing it from entering the cabin; and paying particular attention to noise experienced in the rear seats.
Battery electric powertrain
Lexus has designed a compact, high-voltage system circuit in which a transaxle and inverter are contained within the eAxle units. An Energy Storage Unit integrates the charging, power supply and power distribution functions. Noise filters have been added to the circuit to enhance electromagnetic compatibility; this helps avoid interference with the vehicle’s audio system. The combination of the two motors produces around 308 horsepower and range is approximately around 350 kilometers with the 20-inch wheels, give or take.
Lithium-ion battery
The battery stack is positioned entirely beneath the cabin floor and forms a structural part of the vehicle’s frame.
This contributes to the vehicle’s rigidity and its low center of gravity, while the unit’s slim profile also means there is no intrusion in cabin or load compartment space. The battery is contained in a sealed, reinforced structure to protect it in the event of contact with the road surface or a collision.
Battery charging
The RZ is equipped with a compact and lightweight 11 kWon-board charger. Battery recharging when connected to a three-phase power supply takes around six-and-a-half hours; using a one-phase supply the time is around 10 hours; connected to a DC fast-charging system, an 80 percent recharge can be accomplished in about 30 minutes.
Suspension
The suspension system has been designed to support exhilarating driving performance and to contribute towards the delivery of the Lexus Driving Signature, helping generate a natural dialogue between driver and car.
The fundamental dynamic benefits of the BEV platform — high rigidity, a low center of gravity and dynamically balanced chassis and low yaw inertia moment — are matched by suspension which contributes to faithful line-tracing, natural and stable vehicle posture and a comfortable ride.
Multimedia system
The RZ is equipped with the all-new Lexus Link multimedia platform, with faster, more intuitive operation and increased functions for connectivity, efficient journey planning and information.
The system includes “always on” cloud-based navigation, benefiting from up-to-the moment information on traffic events, accidents and road conditions.
Connectivity
Three USB ports are provided on the center console — one for multimedia connection and two suitable for device charging. Two further charging ports are provided on the rear console, tougher with an AC power outlet on Luxury grade.
Hefty price tag
At P4,828,000, the RZ450e is right smack in the middle of the luxury car market and may appeal to those looking for a more opulent, environmentally conscious SUV built with Toyota’s known reliability.
Lexus is counting on being a long-time leader in electrification, having built its RX hybrids dating back to 2005.
SIGNATURE spindle grille shape deeply integrated into the complete frontal design.
