Lexus RZ 450e: an electric SUV that will surprise you

Lexus has accustomed us to designs that do not leave us indifferent, and its new RZ 450e It is no exception, no matter how you look at it. We are looking at the second 100% electric model from the Japanese brand, after the UX300e. But in this case, the new RZ 450 is the first Lexus developed from scratch on a platform specifically for electric vehiclesIts arrival on the market is scheduled for the end of 2022.

With a length of 4,81 meters, a crossover body with angular and very sporty lines, and a 313 HP propulsion system, among its main alternatives we find cars such as the Ford Mustang Mach E or Audi Q4 Sportback etron. It uses two motors, one on the front axle with 150 kW, and another on the rear with 80 kW, which allows for four-wheel drive, a system that Lexus calls DIRECT4. The Lexus RX 450e accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5,6 seconds.

The battery has a capacity of 71,4 kWh, allowing the Lexus RZ 450e to announce a WLTP autonomy of more than 400 km, although the brand does not confirm the exact figure. It does provide the consumption data, with a surprising figure of 18 kWh/100 km, very low for a car of these characteristics. It is worth noting the fact that Lexus assures that the battery can maintain more than 90% of its capacity after 10 years of use; the normal thing up to now for electric car manufacturers is to guarantee their batteries for 8 years, and up to 70% of their capacity.

One Motion Grip: rectangular steering wheel and by-wire steering

And if the exterior catches your attention, don't miss the interior of the new RZ 450e. There was a lot of talk at the time about the Tesla steering wheel, and now Lexus surprises with the optional system it has called One Motion Grip, which combines a square steering wheel (the brand calls it "steering yoke) with a system of by-wire steering, with no mechanical connection to the wheels. Thanks to this technology, a square steering wheel can be used, since in addition to requiring very little effort on the part of the driver to turn the wheels, by-wire steering means that only a 150-degree turn of the steering wheel is necessary for the car to turn completely, without the need to "pull the levers" as we would do with a car with a conventional steering system and a round steering wheel.

Another advantage of this steering wheel, according to Lexus, is that it allows for a clearer view of the instrument panel, which is positioned higher than normal. The sensation, as you can see in the photos, is very curious: it seems as if the dashboard is missing something. But we will surely soon see more manufacturers following this trend, and we will see fewer and fewer round steering wheels; although we should remember that the one offered by the RZ 450e as standard is round, and is coupled to a conventional steering system.

Apart from the curious steering wheel, the driving position of the RZ 450e also stands out for the prominence that the multimedia screen, no less than 14 inches. The panoramic roof features a dimmable light system, and the passenger compartment features knee-level underfloor heating for both driver and passenger. New technological features include the proactive driver assistance system, which uses information from the front camera to, for example, determine the turning radius of a bend and adjust the steering ratio accordingly.

Lexus RZ 450e image gallery