Three things to know about the all-new electric 2023 Lexus RZ

The latest electric vehicle to arrive on the market comes to us from Lexus. Introduced this week, the all-new 2023 Lexus RZ is a new, fully-electric luxury crossover built on a dedicated electric vehicle platform featuring a new, advanced all-wheel drive system, advanced technologies, and impressive performance.

“We believe that Lexus, an established luxury automaker, should continue pursuing the creation of exciting cars while respecting nature and the global environment to achieve a carbon-neutral society,” said Takashi Watanabe, chief engineer, ‘Lexus Electrified’, Lexus International. “The RZ has been developed with the aim of creating a uniquely Lexus BEV that feels secure to ride in, is pleasing to the touch, and is exhilarating to drive. DIRECT4, the core technology of ‘Lexus Electrified,’ is all-wheel drive system that achieves quick and linear response according to driver input. We will continue to take on the challenge of providing customers with new experiences and a uniquely Lexus BEV driving experience.”

Here are three things to know about the new Lexus RZ.

It’s the first global BEV model from Lexus

The 2023 Lexus RZ is the first fully-electric vehicle from Lexus. It’s a crossover powered by a dual electric motor setup (150 kW in the front, 80 kW in the back) for a total of 308 horsepower. This means that the new Lexus RZ will offer the kind of performance buyers expect from a luxury SUV with an electric powertrain.

Moreover, the Lexus RZ will feature roughly 360 kilometres of range from a 71.4 kWh battery. Charging times and specs will be announced later.

It will feature an impressive DIRECT4 AWD system

The Lexus RZ is built on the new e-TNGA platform, the first dedicated Lexus platform for electric vehicles. This platform is designed to improve luxury and comfort while also ensuring optimal interior space by mounting the battery under the vehicle floor. Moreover, the Lexus RZ will feature a new DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system that is paired with a new high-output electronic axle (eAxle) to continuously control power distribution from one axle to the next.

The system will detect vehicle speed, accelerations, and steering angle to distribution power to the right wheel at the right moment. Power distribution can vary from 100:0 to 0:100.

It will be very spacious and very safe

The Lexus RZ will be designed to be spacious and versatile. It has a 2,850-mm wheelbase which means a very welcoming interior, and impressive comfort and luxury features inside including a standard 14-inch centre display with advanced voice commands.

Moreover, the 2023 Lexus RZ will offer advanced safety technologies that include:

• Pre-Collision System [PCS]: The driver monitor system checks the driver’s condition, and if it is determined that the driver is distracted or drowsy, judged by how often the driver looks away from the road, the system will provide an earlier timing alert and braking to help avoid a collision and/or possible damage.
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control [DRCC] (with full-speed follow function): While enabled, the driver monitor system will check to see if the driver is attentive, and will judge the distance from the preceding vehicle, adjusting based on the distance (time) setting (four levels available) and automatically brake when too close.
• Lane Departure Alert [LDA]: When the driver monitor system is engaged, the system will detect the driver’s level of alertness, and, if it determines the driver is inattentive, the system activates either the alert or the steering assist at an earlier time than usual.
• Emergency Driving Stop System [EDSS]: When Lane Trace Assist (LTA) is activated, if the driver monitor system determines that the driver becomes unable to continue driving the vehicle, the system will decelerate the vehicle and stop within the current lane to help avoid a collision or reduce the impact of a collision. To do this, the system first warns the surroundings by flashing the hazard lamps while gently decelerating the vehicle until the vehicle comes to a full stop.