View source for Engineering:Lexus RZ

{{Short description|Battery electric luxury crossover SUV}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = Lexus RZ
| image = Lexus RZ 450e (XEBM15) 1X7A0836.jpg
| model_code = EB10
| caption = RZ 450e
| manufacturer = [[Company:Toyota|Toyota]]
| aka = 
| production = 2023–present
| model_years = 2023–present (North America)
| assembly = Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant)
| designer = Daichi Kimura<ref>{{Cite press release |title=The all-new Lexus RZ: powerful design rooted in electrified performance |url=https://media.lexus.co.uk/the-all-new-lexus-rz-powerful-design-rooted-in-electrified-performance/ |publisher=Lexus |location=UK |date=2022-07-22 |access-date=2023-02-09}}</ref>
| class = Crossover SUV
| body_style = 5-door [[Engineering:SUV|SUV]]
| layout = {{unbulleted list
  | Front-motor, front-wheel-drive
  | Dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (Direct4)
}}
| platform = e-TNGA
| related = {{unbulleted list
  | [[Engineering:Toyota bZ3|Toyota bZ3]]
  | [[Engineering:Toyota bZ4X|Toyota bZ4X]]
  | [[Engineering:Subaru Solterra|Subaru Solterra]]
  }}
| motor = {{unbulleted list
  | 1×{{convert|150|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}} ''1XM'' AC [[Engineering:Synchronous motor#Permanent-magnet|permanent magnet synchronous]] (front) + 1×{{convert|80|kW|hp PS|0|abbr=on}} ''1YM'' AC permanent magnet synchronous (rear) (XEBM15)
  }}
| powerout = {{convert|230|kW|hp PS|abbr=on|0}}
| transmission = ''eAxle''
| battery = 71.4&nbsp;kWh [[Engineering:Lithium-ion battery|lithium-ion]]
| range = {{unbulleted list
  | {{convert|450|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} (approximate cruising range, [[Engineering:Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure|WLTC]])
  | {{convert|200|–|225|mi|km|-1|abbr=on|order=flip}} (approximate cruising range, EPA)
  }}
| charging = 150{{nbsp}}kW DC
| wheelbase = {{convert|2850|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|4805|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1895|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|1635|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|NNNN|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}
| sp = us
}}

The '''Lexus RZ''' is a battery-electric vehicle built by [[Company:Toyota|Toyota]]'s luxury division [[Company:Lexus|Lexus]] since 2023. It is considered a "large SUV" by Euro NCAP and a "small sport utility vehicle" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/lexus/rz/49905 |title= Lexus RZ |website= euroncap.com |access-date= 2023-11-28 |date= 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/46986.shtml |title= Fuel economy of the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e AWD (18 inch Wheels) |website= fueleconomy.gov |publisher= United States Environmental Protection Agency |access-date= 2023-11-28}}</ref> The RZ is built on the e-TNGA platform shared with the [[Engineering:Toyota bZ4X|Toyota bZ4X/Subaru Solterra]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bruce|first=Chris|date=2021-12-14|title=Lexus RZ 450e Design Unveiled As The Posh Toyota bZ4X Alternative|url=https://www.motor1.com/news/554440/lexus-rz-450e-official-photos/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Motor1.com|language=en}}</ref> it is the first dedicated battery electric vehicle of the Lexus marque that will be sold worldwide and also the second battery electric model after the [[Earth:Internal combustion engine|ICE]]-based [[Engineering:Lexus UX|UX 300e]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pappas|first=Thanos|date=2022-04-20|title=Lexus RZ 450e Debuts As A Posher Toyota bZ4X With 309 HP And 0-62 In 5.6sec|url=https://www.carscoops.com/2022/04/lexus-rz-450e-debuts-as-a-posher-toyota-bz4x-with-309-hp-and-0-62-in-5-6sec/|access-date=2022-12-23|website=Carscoops|language=en}}</ref>

==History==
The RZ was previewed by the LF-Z Electrified concept in March 2021.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Lexus Accelerates Its Electrified Future with LF-Z Electrified Concept Debut |url=https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/lexus/34898931.html|date=2021-03-30 |access-date=2021-12-15 |website=Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website}}</ref> A prototype RZ was shown in December 2021 during a Toyota press event to announce its future plans for rolling out battery electric models.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/2023-lexus-rz-450e-suv-everything-we-know/ |title=2023 Lexus RZ: What to Expect from the Upcoming Luxury EV |author=Cortina, Miguel |date=April 18, 2022 |work=Motor Trend |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> The production model was unveiled at a press event on April 20, 2022,<ref name=CW-2022-04-20>{{cite news |url=https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1404313.html |title=レクサス、バッテリEV専用の新型「RZ」世界初公開 新四輪駆動力システム「DIRECT4」採用 |language=ja |trans-title=World premiere of new 'RZ'; Lexus adopts new four-wheel drive system 'DIRECT4' exclusively for battery EV |author=谷川 潔 |date=April 20, 2022 |work=Car Watch |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> and it was first shown to the public at Le Volan Cars Meet 2022 Yokohama in late May.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1411001.html |title=レクサスの新型バッテリEV「RZ」、「ル・ボラン カーズ・ミート 2022 横浜」で実車初公開 |trans-title=New Lexus battery EV 'RZ' debuts to the public at 'Le Volan Cars Meet 2022 Yokohama' |language=ja |author=佐久間 秀 |date=May 21, 2022 |work=Car Watch |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> The RZ was developed at Toyota's Technical Center Shimoyama.<ref name=CW-2022-04-pres/>

It will go on sale in 2022 (as the 2023 model year in North America), initially in RZ 450e grade,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vijayenthiran|first=Viknesh|date=2021-12-14|title=Preview: 2023 Lexus RZ crossover is brand's first dedicated EV|url=https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1134328_2023-lexus-rz-price-specs-review-photos-info|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Motor Authority|language=en}}</ref> which is equipped with a standard fully variable "Direct4" [[Engineering:All-wheel drive|all-wheel drive]] system and optional [[Engineering:Steer-by-wire|steer-by-wire]] technology.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Page|first=Felix|date=2021-12-14|title=New 2022 Lexus RZ shown ahead of imminent official reveal|url=https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/new-2022-lexus-rz-shown-ahead-imminent-official-reveal|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Autocar|language=en}}</ref>

== Design ==
===Powertrains===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%;"
! Model
! Chassis code
! Electric motor
! Transmission
! Power
! Torque
|-
| rowspan=1 | RZ 300e
| rowspan=1 | XEBM10
| 1×''1XM'' (front)
| rowspan=1 | ''eAxle''
| {{convert|150|kW|hp PS|abbr=on|0}}
| {{convert|265|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | RZ 450e
| rowspan=2 | XEBM15
| 1×''1XM'' (front)
| rowspan=2 | ''eAxle''
| {{convert|150|kW|hp PS|abbr=on|0}}
| {{convert|265|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}}
|-
| 1×''1YM'' (rear)
| {{convert|80|kW|hp PS|abbr=on|0}}
| {{convert|170|Nm|lbft|abbr=on}}
|}
The front motor of the RZ 450e is taken from the [[Engineering:Front-wheel drive|front-wheel drive]] version of the bZ4X, while the rear unit is taken from the all-wheel drive version of the same car, making it quicker than the bZ4X/Solterra.<ref name=MT-2023-firstdrive>{{cite news |url=https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-lexus-rz450e-electric-suv-prototype-drive-review/ |title=2023 Lexus RZ450e Prototype Drive: A Spin in Lexus' First Electric Vehicle |author=Gold, Aaron |date=May 2, 2022 |work=Motor Trend |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> Using the 'DIRECT4' system, front/rear axle torque output can be varied continuously from 100:0 to 0:100; during normal driving, the torque split ranges from 40:60 to 60:40.<ref name=CW-2022-04-20/>

The storage battery is identical to the bZ4X/Solterra, with a capacity of 71.4&nbsp;kWh.<ref name=CW-2022-04-20/> The RZ 450e has an estimated range of {{convert|200|–|225|mi|km|-1|abbr=on|order=flip}} under the EPA driving cycle, depending on wheel size. The maximum charging rate is 150&nbsp;kW. Four levels of [[Engineering:Regenerative braking|regenerative braking]] are available; the lowest level eliminates regeneration entirely and relies on the mechanical (hydraulic) brake system. According to the RZ 450e chief engineer Takashi Watanabe, this was done to provide a more conventional braking feel.<ref name=MT-2023-firstdrive/> At maximum regeneration, the deceleration rate is {{convert|0.15|g0|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Roadshow-2205>{{cite news |url=https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2023-lexus-rz-450e-first-drive-review/ |title=2023 Lexus RZ 450e First Drive Review: Clever Features, Embarrassing Range |author=Cole, Craig |date=May 2, 2022 |work=Roadshow |publisher=CNET |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref>
<gallery widths="220" heights="165">
File:Lexus RZ450e 002.jpg|Rear
File:The interior of RZ 450e PROTOTYPE.jpg|Interior
</gallery>

=== Steer-by-wire system ===
The [[Engineering:Steer-by-wire|steer-by-wire]] system, which Lexus have branded "One Motion Grip" for some markets, comes with a steering yoke and removes the physical connection between the yoke and the steering rack. The position of the yoke is used to drive a motor attached to the steering rack, while a second motor provides feedback to the yoke itself. The effort required to turn the yoke varies in response to driving conditions. Regardless of the situation, the total rotational range of motion is 300 degrees, which removes any need to perform a hand-over-hand movement for which a conventional [[Engineering:Steering wheel|steering wheel]] may be more suitable. In a hands-on test, ''Motor Trend'' called the yoke "little more than a novelty" but declared the "steering system that minimizes movement by instantly and intuitively adjusting to ever-changing conditions ... [is] a brilliant bit of engineering that could well change driving for the better".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2023-lexus-rz450e-steer-by-wire-yoke-review/ |title=2023 Lexus RZ Steer-by-Wire Steering Yoke Review: This Yoke Is No Joke |author=Gold, Aaron |date=May 2, 2022 |work=Motor Trend |access-date=4 May 2022}}</ref>

===Chassis===
The chassis takes advantage of structural adhesives, laser-based welding processes, and high-tensile steel to enhance rigidity and reduce weight; the hood is aluminum and the battery is carried underneath the passenger floor, contributing to the vehicle's low center of gravity.<ref name=CW-2022-04-pres/> The e-TNGA platform has a fully-independent suspension, with MacPherson struts in front and trailing-arm double-wishbones in the rear.<ref name=CW-2022-04-pres/>

===Styling===
Six exterior and three interior colors are available; as an option, the exterior can be painted in a bi-tone finish, with the black "spindle" grill accent extended over the hood and roof.<ref name=CW-2022-04-20/> The low hoodline and active grille shutter reduce aerodynamic resistance; in addition, the underbody is dimpled to create minute vortices and a roof spoiler is used to enhance downforce.<ref name=CW-2022-04-pres>{{cite news |url=https://car.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1404344.html |title=レクサス、新型バッテリEV「RZ」発表会 「チームレクサスがつくるBEVの本気度が必ず伝わると確信している」 |trans-title=New battery EV Lexus 'RZ' presentation: "I am confident that the seriousness of Team Lexus in developing this BEV will be communicated." |language=ja |author=谷川 潔 |date=April 20, 2022 |work=Car Watch |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://pressroom.lexus.com/meet-the-all-new-lexus-rz-the-luxury-brands-first-battery-ev/ Official press release]


[[Category:Compact sport utility vehicles]]
[[Category:All-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Electric concept cars]]

{{Sourceattribution|Lexus RZ}}