Lexus unveils aggressive electric RZ
The new Lexus RZ is characterised by angular and aggressive body work, and will be a vital model as the carmaker looks to up its game in electrification
Lexus has officially unveiled its all-new RZ 450e during an online event. The five-door battery electric vehicle is set to go on sale at the end of 2022, and will play an important role in the company’s electrification strategy. “As a carmaker, what should Lexus do to move towards a carbon-neutral society?
We believe this means continuing the pursuit of making exhilarating cars that take full advantage of the unique battery EV characteristics while respecting nature, and the global environment,” said Takashi Watanabe, chief engineer, Lexus. “The RZ is quiet and comfortable, with a linear and direct feel that connects you to the car. We will continue to offer driving excitement and push the boundaries of Lexus’ unique design and driving performance through electrification technology.”
The new RZ uses the same e-TNGA platform as the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra, but looks very different to both with typical Lexus aggressiveness. It has been designed with the concept “seamless e-motion” in mind, which the carmaker says is a way of “expressing seamless acceleration and a dynamic sense of torque unique to a BEV.” Sharp and angular body work features all around the vehicle, with other key elements like the lights and air intakes following suit in their jagged shape.
The front of the car appears to be split into three sections, with the central area separated by bold creases in the bonnet that extend from the A-pillars and fall down past the slitted headlamps. These lines then push outwards again on the fascia to form an hourglass shape, with layered indentations running into the fold of the body work and creating an embossed effect. This is what Lexus calls its new “BEV Spindle Body”, replacing the carmaker’s spindle grille. Underneath is a wide and narrow air intake that spans the width of the front and continues seamlessly to connect with the vertical air intakes, both of which are flanked by boomerang-shaped body work.
Along the sides, bold lines are created by the dramatic body work. This comes to a peak above the rear wheels, with the shoulder line rising towards the greenhouse before suddenly flattening out above the rear lights. The result is a sharp blade of body work that slices back above the rear wheels, appearing almost like a rudder to the car. It’s unusual, but striking and undeniably unique.
At the back, a substantial overhang and ducktail spoiler stems from the body work above the rear wheels. A light bar with a simple horizontal strip of LEDs runs the width and sits high up, allowing for space to include air outlets behind the rear wheels, with a fold of body work extending up towards the light. A giant matt black bumper is relatively unadorned when compared to the busy, angular body work, and pushes up to meet the boot door.
On the inside, the new RZ is based on the tazuna concept – a Japanese word for horse reins that Lexus has previously incorporated in its LF-30 and Tazuna concept cars. The idea is to ensure that each element is focused on the driver and driving experience. This can clearly be seen when looking at the IP, the bulk of which is angled towards the driver’s seat.
The 14-inch centre touchscreen and digital driver display are housed in a large unit that also includes air vents and climate controls.The design of this unit appears rather bulky and busy, with the large air vents dominating the lower part of the driver’s view. It is also placed abruptly on the IP, with little consideration for the elements that feature elsewhere, like the horizontal air vent section on the passenger side.
Various switches on the doors, centre console and steering wheel prevent the interior from encapsulating a minimal aesthetic, but the large panoramic roof helps to create a sense of space and airiness. The plush materials also ensure a sense of refinement, with Ultrasuede included to create clean and textured surfaces throughout. Three colour schemes are available to choose from, with the ‘Dapple Gray/Black’ edition featured here.
The launch of the RZ follows on from an announcement that Lexus made in late 2021 around its electrification strategy. As well as unveiling 15 new EVs, the company said that it plans to offer a full line-up of EVs by 2030, its primary goal to ensure all new Lexus vehicles sold are electric by 2035.