As part of the dramatic reveal of Toyota and Lexus' future electric car line-up, it's been our first chance to see Lexus' new all-electric SUV, the RZ 450e.
Fast-charging
Based on the same e-TNGA chassis as the Toyota bZ4X, the RZ 450e should have a one-charge range of at least 470km, and around 200hp from a two-motor setup. The Toyota uses a 71.4kWh battery pack, so we're going to assume for now that the Lexus will get the same one. It can be charged at speeds of up to 150kW, and fast-charged to 80 per cent charge in 30 minutes.
Bespoke engineering
However, while there will be similarities to the Toyota, Lexus is promising that there will be some bespoke engineering under the skin for the luxury brand, including - possibly - uprated and lighter electric motors, and a chassis and torque-vectoring system designed for greater levels of agility, backed up by four-wheel steering and even electronic 'steer-by-wire' technology. "The process of strengthening the fundamentals and pursuing the Lexus Driving Signature will not change even if it is a battery EV," said Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda in a presentation. "That is what electrification means to Lexus. We will deliver a unique electrified Lexus that combines linear motor acceleration and deceleration, brake feeling and exhilarating handling to further pursue the joy of driving. In particular, we believe that the Battery EV will become the future symbol of Lexus as a model that most clearly expresses the evolution of the automobile brought about by electrification."
Name, not badge
In style terms, the RZ 450e takes cues from Lexus' huge, gaping 'spindle-grille' look, but changes it up with a blanked-off panel, de rigueur for most modern electric cars. Towards the back, as on the larger hybrid-engined RX, there's a distinct scallop taken out of the rear pillar where it meets the back doors, and a pointy 'sharks-fin' effect ahead of the rear glass. At the rear, there are very slim lights running across the full width of the tailgate, with the name Lexus spelled out in spaced letters in place of a badge.
The RZ 450e won't replace the NX SUV, which has just been replaced in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid forms, but the two cars will sell alongside each other for at least some time to come.