Lexus RZ 450e electric prototype previewed in new images 

Last year, Toyota unveiled no less than 15 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the pipeline through 2030, including those from its luxury arm Lexus carrying the RZ designation. Now, here’s a look at the first of a new line of Lexus vehicles: the RZ 450e electric compact crossover in prototype form. 

This will herald the first of a new generation of Lexus EVs

Unlike the smaller UX 300e which precedes it in terms of battery-powered propulsion, the RZ 450e is not derived from any Lexus combustion model. The latter is built around the e-TNGA platform dedicated exclusively to EVs, which also underpins both the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra.  

New images released by Lexus show the RZ 450e having a sleeker look compared to its corporate siblings, with the aesthetics influenced by the front and rear ends, the sloping roofline, and the beltline crest just after the blacked-out C-pillar. Note that Lexus even managed to retain the trademark spindle grille on the fascia despite the absence of a combustion engine.   

Compared to the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, the Lexus RZ 450e sports a sleeker profile

No interior and powertrain information has been released, but it stands to reason that the production version of the RZ 450e will be equipped with the same dual electric motor setup as on the Toyota bZ4X all-wheel-drive variant, delivering a combined 215 horsepower and 336 Nm of torque.   

Lexus RZ 450e 

“In 2022, we will continue to refine Lexus’ unique design and driving taste that appeals to the sensibilities of our customers,” said Lexus International president Koji Sato. He also committed to accelerating BEV development with the RZ line, stating that a new series of Lexus models will debut between the first and second quarters of the year. Meanwhile, the Toyota bZ4X will arrive in the U.S. market by the middle of 2022, followed by an ASEAN release within the year.

Lexus aims to launch the electric crossover between March and June 2022 

In its yearend summary, Lexus reported global sales of 760,012 from January to December 2021, beating its 2020 figures by 106 percent despite the pandemic.  

See more previews of upcoming models at Philkotse.com.