Lexus meets the growing demand for more sustainable vehicles with the launch of it first battery electric vehicle, the RZ450e SUV. Developed as an electric vehicle from the outset, it integrates new e-Axles (compact motor units in front and rear) to form a new DIRECT4 all-wheel electronic drive system. A powerful lithium-ion battery unit is fully integrated in the chassis, beneath the cabin floor. This provides high-quality handling and responsiveness with excellent body rigidity, a low center of gravity and a long wheelbase.
New style
Being a battery electric vehicle, the RZ 450e bears a new styling evolution of Lexus. It starts with the familiar spindle grille shape finished in the car’s body color. Slim headlamps and the blacked out bumper corners add emphasis to the central spindle shape. The new-design ultra-slim headlight units are unified with the spindle body. The cabin shape has been optimized for smooth airflow. The rear presents a cool, high-tech look with a split roof spoiler. The elongated LED light bar wraps around the muscular rear quarters. 20-inch wheels are pushed out to the corners.
Inside, the cockpit is designed to give the driver fast, easy and intuitive control of the vehicle. The RZ’s cabin has an open, spacious and airy feel with a driver-focused cockpit. The arrangement of the wheel, meters, controls and displays were designed so that the driver needs only to make small movements of the hand and eye to operate the vehicles.
The dashboard features two displays: an eight-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. There’s also a heads-up display projected onto the base of the windscreen. The meters in the instrument display can be customized to suit the driver’s preference.
As for entertainment, the large screen is paired with a 10-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system. It is compatible with Apple
CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features a voice command system that responds to, “Hey Lexus.” Finally, setting the mood is easy with multi-color LED ambient lighting, a panoramic roof with electric dimming, and dual-zone climate control.
New propulsion
What many are keen to know is likely its power and range. The RZ is powered by a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that drives the two electric motors. They generate a combined system output of 312-Hp and 435-Nm of torque. This allows the vehicle to sprint from 0 - 100 km/h in just 5.3
seconds. In addition, the Direct4 all-wheel drive can evaluate and react to vehicle speed, steering angle and G forces, instantly adjusting the torque distribution from front-biased to rear-biased within a second. This allows to return unparalleled confidence to the driver with its adaptive grip.
As for range, the RZ can travel 450 km on a full charge. Lexus guarantees it will retain 70% of this capacity even after 10 years of use.
Every purchase of an RZ 450e comes with an onboard 11kW charger. This will charge the battery in 10 hours when plugged in to a regular outlet; and 6.5 hours with a three-phase power supply. When connected to a DC fast charger (like in Shell SLEX or SM Baguio), it can recharge up to 80% in around 30 minutes.
Providing extra peace of mind is its extensive safety features called Lexus Safety System + 3. This is comprised of the standard passive safety systems with active features like a pre-collision system, radar cruise control, lane tracing assist, automatic high beam, a 360-degree camera, and
even Advanced Park.
The RZ 450e can be purchased in Aether Metallic, Graphite Black Glass Flake, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Copper, Sonic Iridium, and Sonic Quartz.
Two-tone finishes are also offered for the Aether Metallic, Sonic Chrome, and Sonic Copper shades, paired with a black roof.
From left: Raymond Rodriguez, Lexus Manila President; Vince Socco, Lexus Manila Vice Chairman; Alfred Ty, Lexus Philippines Chairman; Senate President, Juan Miguel Zubiri; Atsuhiro Okamoto, Lexus Philippines President; Dr. David Go, Lexus Philippines Vice Chairman; and Preston Tan, Lexus Asia Pacfic VP.
The Lexus RZ 450e is now available for viewing at the Lexus Manila showroom and in Mitsukoshi, BGC. It is being offered at an introductory price of P4.828 million.