* Lexus’ all-new battery electric SUV constructed on a dedicated BEV platform
* Introduction of advanced technologies that enhance the Lexus Driving Signature handling and performance
* Lexus-first e-Axles with DIRECT4 all-wheel drive torque control
* Lexus Next Chapter design realises the opportunities of a BEV, including a new Lexus spindle body
* Long-life 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery expected to retain at least 90% of its capacity after 10 years of driving
* Efficient system achieving energy consumption between 16.8 kWh and 18.7 kWh per 100 km in the combined WLTP cycle
* Evolution of the Lexus Tazuna concept for a fully focused driver’s cockpit
* New technologies enhance life on board, including heat reflecting/insulating panoramic roof, radiant heaters and new Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system
* Full suite of safety and driver assistance features, including Lexus’ exclusive Safe Exit Assist preventing door opening into the path of vehicles and cyclists approaching from the rear
* Lexus to introduce breakthrough One Motion Grip steer-by-wire system with steering yoke on RZ by 2025

INTRODUCTION

The RZ 450e is Lexus’ first model to be developed as a BEV from the outset. The intention is not simply to deliver the benefits of zero emission, all-electric driving, but to capture the potential of BEVs to reinvent the driving experience. To help achieve this, the car has undergone extensive track testing and refinement at the Shimoyama Centre in Japan, soon to be Lexus’ new global headquarters.

The RZ also marks the first application of Lexus’ new e-Axles, compact motor units used front and rear that work in conjunction with new DIRECT4 all-wheel electronic drive torque control. High-quality handling and responsiveness are secured with a dedicated new electric vehicle platform, which brings excellent body rigidity, a low centre of gravity and a long wheelbase. A powerful lithium-ion battery unit is fully integrated in the chassis, beneath the cabin floor, its quality finely controlled to ensure performance is maintained long-term.

The platform and battery electric drivetrain also open up new freedoms in design. The exterior reinterprets the signature Lexus spindle shape in the vehicle’s body, while the interior is a light and open space that is both simple and luxurious, expressing Lexus Omotenashi hospitality and Takumi craftsmanship.

With its zero-emission performance, the RZ will help Lexus in its progress towards carbon neutrality and a sustainable mobility society. Here, the focus is not just on the car’s performance on the road; it embraces its entire lifecycle, from parts procurement, manufacturing and ownership through to eventual disposal. Already new methods have been adopted at Lexus’ Motomachi factory, the RZ production centre, in the processes that produce the highest emissions.

Looking beyond its market introduction, the RZ is set to offer an enhanced driving experience with an optional by-wire steering system. Lexus’ new One Motion Grip, currently under development, will provide easier and even more precise steering without sacrificing important feedback from the road surface.

Wheels and tyres

The RZ is offered with two wheel sizes – 18 and 20-inch. The 18-inch wheels have a standard dark grey metallic finish but are also available as an accessory option in all-black. The 20-inch wheels are high gloss or contrast black/machined, according to grade specification. The 18-inch wheels are aerodynamically styled with aero-ventilating flaps on the face of each spoke.

The 20-inch rims – standard on high grade and optional elsewhere in the range – are expected to be the choice of about 80% of RZ customers in Europe.

Driving stability is supported by using different size tyres at the front and rear: 235/60R18 front and 255/55R18 rear for 18-inch wheels and 235/50R20 front and 255/45R20 rear for 20-inch wheels.

DRIVING PERFORMANCE
RZ performance delivers the Lexus Driving Signature, characterized by Confidence, Control and Comfort
Lexus-first combination of e-Axles and DIRECT4 all-wheel drive torque control
Highly rigid body founded on new e-TNGA electric vehicle platform supports precise, prompt chassis response
One Motion Grip steer-by-wire system to be introduced on RZ in 2025
The Lexus Driving Signature

The RZ has a new version of active sound control which uses surround sound to introduce noise-cancelling frequencies into the cabin, via the audio speakers.

DIRECT4 all-wheel drive control
DIRECT4, an exclusive Lexus technology, is an intelligent system that constantly and seamlessly balances the drive torque between the front and rear axles. The result is stress-free performance and stable handling, with intuitive operation strengthening the sense of connection between driver and machine.

The system uses ECU (Engine Control Unit) sensors to collect, evaluate and react to a range of factors, including vehicle speed, steering angle and G forces. From these inputs, it calculates and immediately applies the appropriate drive torque to each e-Axle to maximise grip and traction suitable for the road surface. The front/rear torque bias can be adjusted in milliseconds – faster than any mechanical system.

Suspension
The suspension system has been designed to support exhilarating driving performance and to contribute towards delivery of the Lexus Driving Signature, helping generate a natural dialogue between driver and car.

LIFE ON BOARD: HUMAN-CENTRED DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGIES
Driver’s cockpit layout follows Lexus’ Tazuna concept, giving the driver fast, easy and intuitive control of the vehicle
Customisable driver’s instrument display
New radiant heaters for front seat passengers
New heat-shielding panoramic roof, dimmable at the touch of a switch
The RZ’s cabin has an open, spacious and airy feel with a driver-focused cockpit developed according to the principles of Lexus’ Tazuna concept – design approach successfully applied previously to the all-new NX and RX models.
Lexus has introduced a number of human-centred advanced technology features that enhance comfort, convenience and life on board, reinforcing the spirit of Omotenashi hospitality.

Rotary shift selector
The RZ’s shift-by-wire system is operated using a new rotary shift selector on the centre console. The driver presses the control down and turns the tactile machined outer ring clockwise for drive and anti-clockwise for reverse; pressing the control down puts the vehicle in neutral. There are further switches on the console for “Park” and the electronic parking brake.

Load compartment
The space available in the load compartment is not compromised by the vehicle battery and extra nine litres has been gained by mounting the audio system’s subwoofer within the back door. With all seats in place, the area offers 522 litres; fold the rear seats down and the maximum volume is 1,451 litres, loaded to the ceiling. With the tonneau cover in place, there is room for two suitcases (110-litre and 97-litre). Beneath the deck board there is a further 58 litres of space in a practically shaped, fully lined area, handy for storing the BEV charging cable.

Easy access is aided by a 740 mm loading height and the availability of a power back door.
Changes to the motor make the back door opening and closing sequence quicker and quieter, and the opening angle can be pre-set to suit the location, for example to avoid hitting a low garage roof. According to model specification, a kick-sensor is provided for hands-free operation.

MULTIMEDIA, INFORMATION AND CONNECTIVITY
Faster, more intuitive Lexus Link multimedia with 14-inch touchscreen
Improved voice command control, including “Hey Lexus” on-board assistant
Bespoke 13-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system
Multimedia system

WORLD-CLASS SAFETY PERFORMANCE
Latest generation Lexus Safety System + with new and improved functions
New Driver Monitor and Proactive Driving Assist
Future software upgrades delivered seamlessly over-the-air
Lexus’ aim was to equip the RZ with a world-class package of preventive safety features that are able to recognise and react to an even wider range of accident risk scenarios. The car benefits from the latest generation Lexus Safety System +, with new and improved functions that operate seamlessly in the context of a battery electric vehicle.

Pre-Collision System
The radar and camera used by the RZ’s Pre-Collision System (PCS) have a wider detection range and can recognise a wider range of hazards than previously. This includes the risk of a head-on collision with traffic coming from the left or right when making a turn at an intersection. The system’s response time is faster and it is also now able to identify motorcycles, as well as cyclists and pedestrians.

Emergency Steering Assist helps keep the car stable and within its traffic lane when the driver has to avoid a parked car, pedestrian or other obstacle to the side of the road. The system is also available with Active Support, which works to avoid a collision by providing gentle braking and steering.

The PCS further provides Low Speed Acceleration Suppression, recognising sudden, unintended use of the throttle when driving at low speed.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
The RZ’s Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) provides a wider range of inter-vehicle distance settings, so the driver has more freedom to tailor performance to their personal preference. Activating the system has been made easier with simple switch operation and the option of voice command control to set the cruising speed and distance from the preceding vehicle.

New functions include Curve Speed Reduction, ensuring an appropriate speed for smooth driving through bends, and Overtaking Prevention, which regulates the car’s speed to avoid overtaking a slower vehicle on the wrong side on a multi-lane road. The driver can also easily reset the cruising speed to comply with changes in the speed limit detected by the Road Sign Assist system (RSA).

Lane Departure Alert and Lane Tracing Assist
The Lane Departure Alert (LDA) has been improved so that it can now recognise more objects, including adjacent street furniture such as utility poles, kerbstones and guard rails. It can also recognise when the driver is steering to avoid a person or parked vehicle in the RZ’s traffic lane.

The high-performance camera used by the Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) is better able to distinguish road markings; when these are obscured, for example in heavy traffic, the system will follow the path of the vehicle ahead. Expansion of the system’s DNN (deep neural network) has enabled it to recognise 3D objects. This means it can adjust its performance to give appropriate lateral clearance from vehicles in adjacent lanes or roadworks, operating in way that feels natural to the driver.

Lane Change Assist
Lane Change Assist can be used when the car’s LTA is activated. When the driver signals to make a lane change, the system checks for safety using the PCS radar and camera, calculates the target trajectory and provides appropriate steering control. Once the lane change is complete, LTA returns to its normal operating status.

Additional features
The Lexus Safety System + package for the RZ also provides Automatic High Beam or an Adaptive High-beam System for automatic adjustment of the headlight beams to achieve optimum forward illumination without dazzling oncoming traffic. The RZ is the first Lexus to be fitted with AHS using a single bi-projector LED headlight.

Road Sign Assist (RSA) is able to recognise and display a wider range of highway warning and command signs. The car’s speed limiter can be linked to the RSA, reducing powertrain output and applying braking if necessary to keep the car within the legal speed limit for a given road.

EASIER, SAFER DRIVING WITH ADVANCED ASSISTANCE FEATURES
Multiple systems for easy and precise vehicle manoeuvring
Smooth, automated parking with Advanced Park system
e-Latch with Safe Exit Assist, helping prevent accidents caused by inadvertent door opening.
In addition to the provisions of Lexus Safety System +, the new RZ offers a wide range of features to support easy and safe use of the car – from automatic parking to blind spot monitoring and control for safe opening of the doors.

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Rear Camera Detection
The driver’s sightlines can be compromised when negotiating narrow and confined spaces, such as car parks. The RZ uses clearance sonars and cameras that can detect both static objects and both vehicles and pedestrians crossing behind the car when moving at low speed. If a hazard is spotted, a buzzer sounds and an alert appears in the multi-information display, showing the vehicle position in relation to the hazard.

Panoramic View Monitor
The Panoramic View Monitor uses the RZ’s array of four cameras and 12 sensors to give the driver a 360-degree view of the car’s immediate surroundings and the option of a composite, overhead view. Cameras in the door mirrors provide a side clearance view to help negotiate narrow lanes and spaces, and there is also an under-floor “see-through” view option, to check the driving surface beneath the car and the position of the wheels. A cornering view provides a diagonal image to help with turns in narrow roads and avoid contact with kerbs. A moving view shows the car as seen from diagonally above. A camera washer system keeps the monitor clear, activated when the rear screen washer is used.

Additional features
To help protect against rear-end collisions, the hazard lights can be activated automatically to warn a following vehicle. Designed primarily to alert buses or trucks, the system operates at approaching speeds of 30 to 100 km/h.

In the event or a rear-end collision, a secondary brake will operate automatically, to help prevent the RZ being propelled forwards into another vehicle.

The RZ also provides Drive Start Control, which recognises excessive pressure on the throttle when the shift selector is being used and suppresses acceleration.

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