The Lexus RZ 450e crossover has opened a range of electric vehicles

Lexus RZ has virtual instruments and a projection screen

The Lexus RZ 450e crossover has opened a range of electric vehicles.
The first electric Lexus appeared three years ago, but it was a half-measure. The compact Asus UX300 e SUV is based on a gasoline model and is not sold in all countries. The development of a full range of electric Lexus, created without reference to the old models, begins only now, and today the first—born crossover Lexus RZ 450e is presented.
In fact, this is a premium version of the Toyota bZ4X SUV (aka Subaru Solterra): the new Lexus is based on the same e-TNGA platform, has the same wheelbase of 2850 mm, and even their characteristic body profile is identical. But Lexus flaunts an original design with branded elements like a huge "spindle" in place of the radiator grille and the familiar shape of the rear wings on the RX model.
In addition, compared to the original Toyota, the new Lexus has noticeably increased the overhangs of the body, so the overall length has increased from 4690 mm to 4805 mm. The petrol Lexus RX is only 85 mm longer. The width of the electric car is 1895 mm, the height is 1635 mm. Wheels with a diameter of 18 or 20 inches are offered to choose from.
The e-TNGA electric platform is designed according to modern canons: it has compact unified motor modules (with built-in inverters and gearboxes), and the traction battery located under the floor is integrated into the power structure of the body. The front suspension is of the McPherson type, the rear has double wishbones, and the RZ became the first Lexus with amplitude—dependent shock absorbers.
As for the related Toyota, the steering "by wire", which is called One Motion Grip, is offered as an option. Toyota will become the second automaker to start installing such a system on production cars: Infiniti was the first in 2013. But if Infiniti models still have a steering shaft with an emergency clutch, which closes if necessary and provides a mechanical connection of the steering wheel with the wheels, then Toyota and Lexus do not have this. There is only an emergency power supply system and some kind of protection against errors in the electronic control system.
The mechanism without a shaft allows you to set any gear ratio, and crossovers with such a system will have a steering wheel instead of the usual steering wheel. In the "sharpest" mode from stop to stop, it will do less than half a turn — only 150 degrees!
The central place in the cabin is occupied by a 14-inch "TV" of the media system. Lexus RZ has virtual instruments and a projection screen, but the hardware buttons on the steering wheel and rotating climate control handles are preserved. Among the options there is a screen in the interior rearview mirror (the image from the upper rear view camera is broadcast to it) and an electrochromic panoramic roof: it does not have the usual curtain and is darkened by pressing a button.
Like the new Lexus NX, the electric car has electric door locks: to unlock from the inside, it is enough to press the handle, although the possibility of emergency mechanical opening has also been preserved (for this, you need to pull the handle habitually). Electronics can forcibly lock the lock if they detect a danger when trying to open the door (for example, a car approaching in the next lane). Another innovation is spiral electric heaters located in the bowels of the front panel in the area of the knees of the front riders.
The only modification of the RZ 450e has Direct4 all-wheel drive with two electric motors, but the characteristics of the Japanese electric car are not striking. The front engine develops 204 hp, the rear — 109 hp, and the peak output of the system is 313 hp and 435 Nm. The electrical system operates with a voltage of 355 volts, although there are already 800-volt electric vehicles on the market.
The capacity of the lithium-ion traction battery is 71.4 kWh, the expected mileage on a single charge is 450 km, but according to the WLTP cycle it is about 400 km. The developers promise that after ten years of operation, the battery will retain 90% of its capacity. The maximum speed is limited at 160 km / h, the acceleration time to "hundreds" is 5.6 seconds, although cars for the Chinese market have 5.4 seconds. Of course, there is adaptive cruise control and a set of electronic assistants Lexus Safety System +.
Acceptance of orders for Lexus RZ crossovers is already open in Japan, Europe and the USA, although prices are not named anywhere. The start of deliveries is scheduled for the end of this year. Then Lexus electric cars will appear like mushrooms after the rain. By 2030, the company plans to have a full range of electric models of different classes, with only battery-powered cars remaining in Europe, North America and China. And by 2035 Lexus plans to switch completely to electric traction.

The Lexus RZ 450e crossover
Price: US$49,400.00 >= 5 packs US$49,200.00