Lexus Europe introduced the up to date Lexus RZ lineup right this moment, with a number of enhancements over the present mannequin together with a brand new higher-powered RZ 550e F Sport that has Interactive Guide Drive, a function that provides “manual-like management of drive power.” Different platform updates lead to shorter charging instances, elevated driving vary, and as Lexus claims, “a totally new driving expertise” courtesy of a brand new Steer-By-Wire System on the F Sport mannequin that additionally turns the common steering wheel right into a yoke. We weren’t large followers of the RZ’s yoke once we initially drove it again in 2023, however perhaps this remaining manufacturing model shall be higher?
Lexus’ mum or dad firm Toyota was the trailblazer within the gasoline-electric hybrid car revolution, with its first-generation Toyota Prius being the world’s first mass produced hybrid car, however the model’s first wave of actual manufacturing EVs has been much less revolutionary. The platform that underpins the Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ, and thru a partnership with Subaru, the Solterra, has confronted criticism since its introduction for its low vary, uninspiring efficiency, and sluggish charging speeds that make it considerably much less compelling than most different EVs available on the market. Toyota additionally launched an up to date model of the bZ4X that has most of the identical enhancements because the RZ, so the Subaru model ought to observe shut behind.
Battery and motor updates ought to make it a greater choice
Lexus gave the RZ a brand new water-cooled battery with extra battery cells which can be extra superior than earlier than, in addition to a brand new, extra environment friendly eAxle and drive motors with optimized management programs to extend efficiency, vary, and cost speeds. Lexus claims that the vary on all-wheel-drive RZ fashions will increase by about 14 %, and front-wheel-drive fashions see a 20-percent enhance in vary estimates. These are prototype values on the European WLTP vary measurement cycle, which usually charges EVs with longer ranges than America’s usually extra conservative EPA vary estimates. On the European WLTP cycle, Lexus estimates the single-motor front-wheel-drive RZ 350e will return a 357-mile vary, the all-wheel-drive RZ 500e will do roughly 311 miles, and the brand new RZ 550e F Sport will cowl 280 miles.
The RZ’s uncompetitive charging speeds will see much-needed enhancements from these updates as nicely. Lexus claims a brand new onboard charger and battery construction scale back cost instances by half-hour. Automotive and Driver recorded an 86-minute 10-to-90 % cost time on a 2023 Lexus RZ, so the updates may drop that extortionately very long time to a barely extra palatable 56 minutes. For reference, Automotive and Driver put a 2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified to the identical take a look at and it took simply 24 minutes to go from a 10-to-90 % cost, and an Audi This fall E-Tron took 36 minutes.
The brand new eAxle’s electrical motor now produces 221 horsepower, which front-wheel-drive RZs can have that as their complete energy output, whereas, at the least within the European market, there shall be 4 totally different energy outputs for all-wheel-drive fashions: 308 horsepower, 335 horsepower, 375 horsepower, and 402 horsepower for the brand new F Sport mannequin. At the moment, probably the most highly effective RZ within the U.S. has solely 308 hp. 5 totally different energy outputs looks as if overkill, however perhaps Lexus consumers are very specific about how a lot energy they need?
F Sport fashions include simulated guide shifts and a yoke
The brand new RZ 550e F Sport will get probably the most updates of the RZ line, with a yoke that controls a brand new steer-by-wire system, and Interactive Guide Drive that simulates paddle shifting by means of an eight-speed automated transmission. The yoke was proven on early RZ ideas and prototypes, however hadn’t made it to manufacturing but. That modifications with the brand new F Sport, in Europe at the least. Lexus’ steer-by-wire system will compensate for car velocity and steering inputs to account for low-speed maneuverability and steady reactions at larger speeds. Lexus says the system will solely flip about 200 levels from the impartial place, so it seems like, just like the Tesla Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system, no hand-over-hand turns shall be needed.
Judging from the images within the press equipment, the guide shifting state of affairs will use paddles behind the grips of the yoke to shuffle by means of eight digital gears with “engine-like sounds” that ship auditory sensations paying homage to an ICE car. Lexus says “drivetrain output is decided by combining the digital energy supply torque, calculated primarily based on throttle enter and car velocity, with the gear ratio chosen through the paddle shifters.” It additionally says a shift information meter will present visible suggestions upon up and downshifts to trace gear modifications. European market RZ 550e F Sport fashions are estimated to go from 0 to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds.
The F Sport trim will get some suspension and exterior aerodynamic tweaks together with entrance bumper molding, brake cooling ducts, a rear spoiler, and 20-inch wheels with aero covers. Neutrino Grey is a brand new F Sport–unique physique shade, and the bi-color selections stay. The F Sport additionally will get an unique “Black x Dk. Grey” inside that appears like each different black and grey inside, however options blue stitching on some accents.
It is a greater EV, however nonetheless not more likely to stack up nicely in opposition to its rivals
Lexus elevated sound insulation for the automotive, together with a rear flooring silencer, elevated soundproofing on the doorways, and a sound-absorbing tonneau cowl. The platform’s rigidity is elevated, the all-wheel-drive system is enhanced, and the suspension is retuned to boost dealing with and journey consolation. Cost speeds, vary, and efficiency are all improved, so it is undoubtedly a greater RZ, however that is not saying a lot. The RZ’s greatest challenges come from its still-slow cost speeds and a stiff set of competitors from manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, Genesis, Porsche, Polestar, Volvo, and Audi.
Is it going to be sufficient to persuade extra of us to purchase or lease a Lexus RZ? Strictly gauging by the up to date specs, the automotive nonetheless trails its competitors within the packed luxurious compact EV SUV section. Needless to say these are all specs for European fashions, as Lexus hasn’t introduced what modifications shall be coming to the U.S.-market RZ.
