Lexus 450e unveiled: Toyota bZ4X luxury cousin gets yoke steering wheel

Lexus has launched its second battery-electric vehicle, the RZ450e, and taken a leaf from the book of Tesla with the addition of a yoke steering wheel.

The RZ450e is Lexus’s second EV, joining the UX 300e to start rolling out to customers at the end of 2022. No pricing has yet been announced however, nor has a timeline for any possible launch in Australia.

Like its close relative, the Toyota bZ4X, the Lexus RZ 450e is built on a dedicated platform developed for the Japanese carmaker’s electric cars. However, in typical Lexus style it sports a Diabolo radiator grille – though in reverse thanks to having no need for a grille.

Under the floor, the Lexus RZ 450e has a 71.4 kWh battery that is fully integrated into the chassis and delivers more than 400 km per charge, although official homologation has not yet been completed.

The vehicle is four-wheel drive and uses the manufacturer’s e-Axle: a compact, modular component that consists of an electric motor, a transmission and a control unit and is located between the driven wheels.

In the RZ 450e, the two e-axles work together with the all-wheel drive to adapt the traction and power distribution to the respective driving conditions. The torque distribution between the front and rear axles can be adjusted in the range between 0:100 and 100:0.

The front electric motor delivers power output of 150kW, and the rear 80kW, totalling 230kW combined. The target consumption of the RZ 450e is given as 18.1 kWh per 100 km.

No charge rate information was given by the company though it might be safe to assume the top charge rate will equal the 150kW max rate of the bZ4X.

The wheelbase of the RZ 450e is 2,850 mm, and the vehicle comes with 20-inch wheels as standard according to the manufacturer’s press release.

No yoking matter

While the Lexus RZ 450e comes standard with a traditional steering wheel, the premium Japanese carmaker has also decided to give drivers a D-shaped yoke option similar to that seen in the refreshed Tesla Model S, which also works with the steer-by-wire system with no mechanical connection to the wheels.

The steer-by-wire system is designed to reduce vibration when driving over rough roads and allow stable control and easy correction in strong crosswinds. There is also a failover for the processors and a backup power supply should the system lose its main power supply.

According to the manufacturer, the yoke steering wheel requires less steering effort: only a 150-degree turn is required from the middle position to the left or right stop; it is not necessary to reach over the hand. In addition to classic instruments, there is a head-up display and a 14-inch multimedia display.

Featuring the Lexus Safety System+, the RZ 450e includes driver assist tech including emergency service notification. An active driving assistant with steering assistance and a sensor that checks the driving behaviour for signs of tiredness or distraction is installed.

With remote parking much like Tesla’s Autopark, it can also have its software updated over-the-air.

There is also an optional digital rear-view mirror that works with cameras and whose rearview cannot be obstructed by headrests or luggage.

The optional panoramic roof has a coating that reflects infrared radiation and is designed to reduce heat radiation on sunny days and retain heat in the interior on cold weather. The roof also features an electric blackout feature that can be instantly toggled from transparent to opaque with a simple touch.

The new radiant heaters are located at knee height in front of the driver and front passenger under the steering column and lower instrument panel. In addition to the heated seats and the heated steering wheel, it should heat up the interior faster.

The RZ450e forms part of Toyota’s plan to offer all-electric options in all its categories by 2030, and achieve 100% electric sales by 2035.