Lexus Europe introduced the up to date Lexus RZ lineup at this time, with a bunch of enhancements over the prevailing mannequin together with a brand new higher-powered RZ 550e F Sport that has Interactive Guide Drive, a function that gives “manual-like management of drive power.” Different platform updates end in 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 massive followers of the RZ’s yoke once we initially drove it again in 2023, however perhaps this ultimate manufacturing model will probably be higher?
Lexus’ guardian firm Toyota was the trailblazer within the gasoline-electric hybrid automobile revolution, with its first-generation Toyota Prius being the world’s first mass produced hybrid automobile, 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 in the marketplace. Toyota additionally launched an up to date model of the bZ4X that has most of the similar enhancements because the RZ, so the Subaru model ought to observe shut behind.
Battery and motor updates ought to make it a greater possibility
Lexus gave the RZ a brand new water-cooled battery with extra battery cells which are extra superior than earlier than, in addition to a brand new, extra environment friendly eAxle and drive motors with optimized management methods 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 typically charges EVs with longer ranges than America’s typically 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 cut 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 check and it took simply 24 minutes to go from a 10-to-90 % cost, and an Audi This autumn E-Tron took 36 minutes.
The brand new eAxle’s electrical motor now produces 221 horsepower, which front-wheel-drive RZs could have that as their complete energy output, whereas, at the very least within the European market, there will probably be 4 completely 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 present, probably the most highly effective RZ within the U.S. has solely 308 hp. 5 completely 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 handbook 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 way of an eight-speed computerized 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 very least. Lexus’ steer-by-wire system will compensate for automobile velocity and steering inputs to account for low-speed maneuverability and secure reactions at increased speeds. Lexus says the system will solely flip about 200 levels from the impartial place, so it appears like, much like the Tesla Cybertruck’s steer-by-wire system, no hand-over-hand turns will probably be obligatory.
Judging from the photographs within the press package, the handbook shifting scenario will use paddles behind the grips of the yoke to shuffle by way of eight digital gears with “engine-like sounds” that ship auditory sensations paying homage to an ICE automobile. Lexus says “drivetrain output is set by combining the digital energy supply torque, calculated based mostly on throttle enter and automobile velocity, with the gear ratio chosen by way of 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 colour, and the bi-color decisions 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 towards its rivals
Lexus elevated sound insulation for the automobile, together with a rear ground 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 trip 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 largest 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 automobile nonetheless trails its competitors within the packed luxurious compact EV SUV section. Understand that these are all specs for European fashions, as Lexus hasn’t introduced what modifications will probably be coming to the U.S.-market RZ.
