Lexus has introduced its second fully-electric vehicle. Unlike the tiny Lexus UX 300e SUV delivered last year, the new Lexus RZ 450e is built from the ground up as a battery-electric car using the e-TNGA platform. Toyota's parent company developed the e-TNGA platform in collaboration with Subaru. The Lexus is identical to two previously introduced e-TNGA vehicles from Toyota and Subaru, but it appears more independent. As a result, this electric vehicle's performance is superior to the other two electric cars.
The 4805-millimeter-long RZ is a Lexus that, according to the Japanese, delivers the same quality and performance as the brand's other cars. The vehicle is equipped with the company's Direct4 all-wheel-drive technology, which automatically changes traction and power distribution to the driving conditions. The front electric motor produces 150 kW (204 hp), while the rear electric motor produces 80 kW (109 hp) for a combined output of 230 kW (313 hp). As a result, the RZ 450e accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds.
The 2022 Lexus RZ 450e electric car is equipped with a steer-by-wire technology that eliminates the need for a mechanical connection between the steering and the wheels and a self-contained emergency power source. This should enable "exceptional straight-ahead driving behavior," sensitive steering at high speeds, and fewer twists during slow movements. In addition, Lexus equipped the RZ with a steering wheel in the Yoke configuration, which eliminates the need for an upper rim component. As such, it is a series feature. However, it remains to be known if this characteristic is standard or optional.
