The Lexus RZ 450e is the company’s first purpose-built electric car, and it’s a brand-new battery-electric SUV.
It’s not just a car that uses batteries instead of an internal combustion engine; in keeping with the Lexus Electrified ethos, it also takes use of other cutting-edge technology to improve performance and the quality of the driving experience. The RZ is, first and foremost, a Lexus, with all the precision and power expected from the brand.
In order to provide the advantages of a BEV while also providing the crucial refinement and driving experience that are distinctive to its brand, the business has used its extensive expertise in vehicle electrification. Some examples of this are the front and rear e-Axles that function in tandem with Lexus’ new DIRECT4 all-wheel drive torque management and the optional by-wire steering with a new One Motion Grip yoke.
A specialized new electric vehicle platform with exceptional body stiffness, a low center of gravity, and a long wheelbase ensures safe and quick driving. 2023 Toyota RAV4
Additional design options are made possible by the platform’s use of a battery-powered electric powertrain. The exterior reinterprets the iconic Lexus spindle design in the body, while the inside is a bright, airy, and opulent place that embodies Lexus’s Omotenashi hospitality and Takumi workmanship.
Until 2030, Western and Central Europe will remain Lexus’s exclusive market, and the RZ is the next step toward that goal. European buyers may place orders for the new model beginning on April 20, with delivery beginning at the year’s end. The RZ’s zero-emission performance will aid Lexus’ efforts to become carbon neutral and contribute to the development of a sustainable mobility society.
The scope of this paper extends beyond the driving performance of the vehicle to include its whole lifespan, from the initial design and construction through the last stages of ownership and disposal. At Lexus’ Motomachi facility, the RZ production center, new practices have already been implemented in the procedures that generate the most emissions.
The RZ employs Lexus’ e-Axle, which debuted in the UX 300e. A motor, transmission, and electronic control unit (ECU) are all housed in a small, modular box between the driving wheels. They’re employed up front and out back on the RZ, and they work in tandem with the DIRECT4 all-wheel drive control system (more on that later) to modify the vehicle’s stance, traction, and power distribution as needed.
The e-Axles are low-noise, high-efficiency, and power-precise. A total of 230 kW is generated, with 150 kW coming from the front motor and 80 kW coming from the back. Both are more efficient in terms of power output because of their highly refined rotor and stator designs. Their small size helps the car’s packing, allowing more room for the driver and passengers, as well as for the EV battery.
The RZ utilizes Lexus’ innovative DIRECT4 technology in tandem with its two e-Axles and is the first production car to do so. The clever DIRECT 4 system is unique to Lexus vehicles and works to maintain a continual equilibrium between the traction of all four wheels.
Intuitive controls further solidify the bond between driver and vehicle, allowing for stress-free performance and reliable handling. DIRECT4 enhances steering reaction by enhancing information transfer between the road and the steering wheel (or yoke). Sensors in the engine control unit (ECU) are used by DIRECT4 to collect, analyze, and respond to data such as vehicle speed, steering angle, and G forces.
Using this data, it instantly delivers the ideal amount of driving torque to each e-Axle, maximizing grip and traction. Quicker than any mechanical device, the front/rear torque bias may be changed from 100 to 0 or 0 to 100.
The RZ’s cockpit is based on the Tazuna design, but improves upon it. This combines the driver’s position behind the wheel with the ergonomic layout of the instrument cluster to produce an environment in which the driver has to make only minute adjustments to his or her hands and eyes to manage the car. The Japanese word “Tazuna” refers to the subtle movements used by a rider in order to maintain control of their horse.
The advantages of the Tazuna driver cockpit concept may be fully realized with the addition of the optional One Motion Grip (described above). The inside is bright and airy, with adjustable lighting in a broad range of colors to set the right tone for your flight.
In addition, Lexus has developed a novel lighting system called In-ei, which uses patterns of light and shadow to create a variety of effects across the door panels. The instrument panel has been lowered and the gauges, head-up display, and 14-inch multimedia display have been strategically placed to further enhance the driver’s forward visibility.
