Known by its full name as the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e Direct4, the bespoke EV will ride on the same platform as the bZ4X as well as the Subaru Solterra. The new official photos strongly suggest it’s related to the other two electric SUVs since the shape is familiar, but with Lexus’ corporate front fascia and sleeker lighting.

Interior images have yet to be revealed, but it’s only a matter of time before Subaru will show us the cabin since the RZ will go on sale in the coming months. We are also patiently waiting to learn about the technical specifications, which are largely shrouded in mystery for now. That said, the Direct4 setup is good for a pair of electric motors providing 200 horsepower and 221 pound-feet (300 Newton-meters) of torque each.

The 450e Direct4 will come as standard with all-wheel drive and it’s unclear whether less trim levels will follow with a single-motor, two-wheel-drive setup. Understandably, the Lexus version will pack more punch than its Toyota equivalent to justify what will certainly be a premium the posh electric crossover is going to command over its mainstream sibling.

Other known tidbits include support for torque vectoring by independently sending torque to each wheel based on the driving conditions. In addition, the Lexus 450e Direct4 will also adopt steer-by-wire and more upmarket materials inside to distance itself from the bZ4X. All these add-ons over the Toyota model should drive up the starting price to roughly $50,000.

The RZ is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of EV ambitions as Lexus aims to sell only zero-emissions cars in Europe, North America, and China by 2030. By then, the Japanese marque hopes to deliver 1 million vehicles annually, with the ultimate goal being to become a purely electric brand by the middle of the next decade.

Source: Lexus

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Looking a tad more sophisticated than the mechanically related Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, the RZ is being featured in the initial 450e version, with future configurations likely arriving later in the life cycle. In case it looks familiar, the zero-emissions crossover was previewed earlier this year by the LF-Z Electrified concept. It will serve as the company’s first dedicated EV as well as the second electric model ever after the UX300e.

Lexus refrains from going into details regarding the technical specifications for the time being, but rumor has it the electric crossover will pack more punch than the equivalent Toyota. It should get a pair of electric motors providing an all-wheel-drive system and extra muscle over the 215 hp available in the AWD-equipped bZ4X. It’s worth mentioning the base variant of Toyota’s EV makes do with 201 hp and 2WD from a single motor.

At the heart of the RZ 450h will be a new powertrain dubbed as the “Direct4,” which is believed to offer a combined output of anywhere from 350 to 400 horsepower in this application. On top of that, Lexus’ version should have a fancier interior with better materials to justify its luxury car badge and what will certainly be a premium over the similar bZ4X.

Chances are it will set you back somewhere in the region of $50,000, with a more aggressive F Sport trim on the agenda as well. The full reveal could take place in the coming weeks as the vehicle will go on sale for the 2023 model year in the United States.

By 2030, Lexus will be an EV-only brand not just in North America, but also in Europe and China. In 2035, it will globally end sales of vehicles with internal combustion engines.

Source: Lexus

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While Lexus is not disclosing any technical specifications of its electric SUV, we do know it will ride on the e-TNGA platform that has already underpinned the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. However, the teasers hint at a more coupe-like appearance and a sportier stance with less ground clearance than its mainstream siblings.

The 2023 Lexus RZ will be available with all-wheel drive courtesy of electric motors mounted at the front and rear. Steer-by-wire technology has also been previously confirmed, which should translate into sharp cornering for what will be a fairly large and heavy SUV.

It looks quite promising thus far, featuring an edgy design and a full-width LED light bar at the rear where RZ has dual spoilers. An angular front fascia is expected to carry a massive spindle grille despite not having a combustion engine under the hood that would require cooling.

We will remind you the LF-Z Electrified had 536 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), enabling the concept to reach 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in three seconds en route to a top speed of 124 mph (200 km/h). Its fairly large 90-kWh battery pack provided a maximum range between charges of 600 kilometers (373 miles) based on the WLTP cycle.

It’s too soon to say whether the production version will adopt the same hardware used by the concept. The latter tipped the scales at 2,100 kilograms (4,630 pounds) for a vehicle that was 4,880 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, and 1,600 mm tall. Its wheelbase measured 2,950 mm and the battery supported charging at up to 150 kW.

The RZ will be Lexus’ second production EV after the smaller UX 300e, which rides on a platform originally intended for vehicles with combustion engines.

Source: Lexus

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