It's Here! Lexus New RZ 450e

Highlights from the news release:

• Total HP: 308 (230kW)
• Front motor: 201 hp (150 kW)
• Rear motor: 107 hp (80 kW)
• DIRECT4
• Battery: 71.4 kWh
• Mfg estimated Range: 225 miles (362 km)
• "Driver and passenger comforts include radiant heaters" - where have I heard that before
  
• Available panoramic sunroof with "Lexus-first, available dimming function" - Venza??
• Available HUD
• Expected to go on sale end of 2022

You can read all about it here:
MEET THE ALL-NEW LEXUS RZ, THE LUXURY BRAND’S FIRST BATTERY EV - Lexus USA Newsroom

Even uses the same dial shifter as the BZ4X. Reads a lot like the BZ4X and Subaru Solterra. Except they are using a small motor (exactly the same as the AWD BZ4X and Solterra - including the use of eAxle) on the back and a larger motor in the front (exactly the same as the FWD BZ4X). What do you want to bet there are going to be many drive comparisons between the Subaru designed system on the AWD BZ4X/Solterra and the DIRECT4. No charging info. I guess they are not going with the CATL battery.

 

Size wise, this slots somewhere between the RX and NX. Slightly longer and wider than the bZ4X but has the same wheelbase so the wheelbase is longer than the RX. Same horsepower as the RX 450h, but without the noisemaker, and slightly more than the NX 450h+. Might be a push as to luggage space compared to the bZ4X. Loses a little luggage because of that double wishbone rear suspension but gains it back because of it being longer (> 4 inches) and wider (> 1 inch) than the bZ4X. Not as high but it's probably not going to have the ground clearance the bZ4X has. I would assume it'll be in the 6+ inch range. Target audience is probably not off-roaders.

 

Looking on their Canadian, European and Global sites, not much else can be gleamed from their respective news releases except for the following:

• The yoke steering wheel with it's steer-by-wire will be available in the US and Canada at a later time - it is called One Motion Grip in Europe
• 0 to 100 km/h ( 0 to 62 mph): 5.6 seconds Europe/5.4 seconds China
• Online reservations for the RZ 450e is available now in Europe.
• No mention made of a Solar Roof option like you can find for the bZ4X

MEET THE ALL-NEW LEXUS RZ, THE LUXURY BRAND’S FIRST BATTERY EV | Lexus Canada

WORLD PREMIERE OF THE ALL-NEW LEXUS RZ

Lexus Unveils the All-New RZ, the First Pure Battery EV for Global Markets | Lexus | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

 

Well kind of. Just through the paddle shifters. Same as the NX 450h+ or any of the h hybrids from Lexus, such as my NX 300h. But at least you don't have to shift into S like you do on the hybrids before using the paddle shifters which is a pain.

 

Since it is being built on the same line as the bZ4X and Solterra I’m pretty sure they will be using blended mode as the engineer indicated they haven’t activated them yet for the production models.

Sorry for the error but you are correct, doesn’t need to be in S to use the paddle shifters. I tried it last night for the first time as we were going down a long steep hill. Worked to brake the car quite well. The NXh has the smoothest blending of any hybrid I’ve driven when using the brakes. Coasting, unlike my previous 3 Prius, supplies very little to regen and coasts like a typical car.


iPad ? Pro

 

Here's a prebrochure (not sure that's a real term) for the RZ 450e.
https://www.lexus.com/content/dam/lexus/documents/brochures/models/2023/MY23-Lexus-RZ-PreBrochure.pdf

Some new info:

• 18" wheels will get you up to 225 miles (362 km) in EV range
• 20" wheels yields up to 200 miles (322 km) - both are manufacturer estimates
• 312 hp (233 kW) - a touch more than the original 308
• 5.2s 0 - 60 mph
• ECVT - huh? In an electric car? Maybe that's why it's called a prebrochure.
• Two trim levels - Premium and Luxury plus some packages and options listed
• Still lists the 71.4 (Panasonic) battery but curiously doesn't list the DC Charging speed of 150kW.

These will be pretty rare for a bit as most of these will disappear into Europe and China.

 

A little info on the radiant front heaters. According to the article they use 8% less energy than using the HVAC system and is instantaneous. I'm assuming this also applies to the bZ4X Limited trim's radiant heating panels in the Limited Weather Package.

WHY THE LEXUS RZ’s UNCONVENTIONAL HEATING MAKES OCCUPANTS SMILE RADIANTLY

 

Lexus Canada releases 2023 Lexus RZ 450e pricing. 2023 Lexus RZ 450e Signature starts at $64,950 then moves up to the Luxury trim for $73,550 and the Executive trim for a cool $80,950. Manufacturer range estimate is 360 km (224 miles) with 312 hp pushing it from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. It has the Panasonic battery of 71.4 kWh (raw, not net), and leaves out recharging speed. Couldn't find the corresponding Lexus Canada announcement except for the media announcement:
MEDIA ADVISORY: THE ALL-NEW 2023 LEXUS RZ 450e MAKES ITS CANADIAN DEBUT AT THE MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW | Lexus Canada

https://motorillustrated.com/2023-lexus-rz-pricing-announced-in-canada/109249/

 

Found the Canadian Press Release:
WELCOME TO LEXUS LUXURY, ELECTRIFIED: THE ALL-NEW 2023 LEXUS RZ 450e | Lexus Canada