Lexus chooses the heart of the European Union for the global debut of its new battery-electric vehicle, the Lexus RZ.
It’s a sign that the Toyota luxury brand sees the economic bloc as the best prospect for future BEV growth outside of China as the wraps come off the SUV model in Brussels, Belgium.
Lexus says the new car benefits from comprehensive revisions to improve the driving experience, introducing new technologies promising more power and enhanced control.
Technical innovations are led by the first use of Lexus’s steer-by-wire system claiming smoother, easier and more intuitive feel.
The new range also brings a special performance model, the F Sport, with the all-wheel-drive RZ 550e as the most powerful RZ and offering Interactive Manual Drive, an electronic system that provides virtual 8-speed manual gear shifting.
The RZ 550e F Sport is said to develop 408 hp although no claimed performance figures have yet been released.
Across the RZ range, the powertrain sees revisions including a new lithium-ion battery with capacity increased to 77 kWh and an evolution of Lexus’ eAxle, allowing for an expected increase in driving range of up to 62 miles (100 km) boosting the front-wheel-drive range to a claimed 322 miles (518 km) and the AWD models to 280 miles (451 km).
High-power performance is further supported by the adoption of water cooling for the battery pack.
Charging times are reduced by the adoption of a new battery preconditioning system and 22-kW AC onboard charger claiming to reduce overall charging by 30 minutes.
Claimed power hikes for the rest of the range include 224 hp for the RZ 350e and 380 hp in the RZ 500e. AWD models also see a doubling of the towing capacity, claiming braked loads of up to 3,300 lbs. (1,500 kg).
In the cabin Lexus claims the first cabin door trim to feature laser-processed graphics applied to Ultrasuede made from sustainable, 30% plant-based materials.
Its multicolor ambient lighting has a new, dynamic shadow effect with changing patterns said to evoke the passage of time. A new dimming function for the panoramic roof helps keep the cabin comfortable in bright sunshine.
The new model is expected to reach European markets by the first quarter of 2026.
