Lexus reveals pricing and specs of its fully electric luxury RZ SUV

Lexus has announced local details of its second battery electric model in Australia. The all-new electric SUV, the Lexus RZ 450e, is on its way to Australia in the coming months.

Initially, the model is launched in two variants, with the luxury variant starting at $123,000 before on-road costs, and the luxury sports starting at $135,000 before on road costs.

The RZ 450e is the first Lexus to be built on the e-TNGA platform that’s designed specifically for battery electric vehicles. It’s the same platform used for the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra.

“The RZ 450e is a milestone vehicle for Lexus,” Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas said.

The Lexus RZ 450e was first unveiled at Melbourne Cup last year as a pure battery electric vehicle from the luxury Japanese brand, and is expected to arrive at the Lexus showrooms by May this year.

Both variants motor setup produces 230 kW of power and is fed by a 71.4 kWh battery pack, giving a range of up to 470km.

The Luxury variant on the outside includes:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights with static auto-levelling and headlight washers
• LED daytime running lights
• Rear spoiler
• Rear privacy glass 
• Heated side mirrors and auto-dimming (driver’s side) with auto power folding function

On the inside the base variant is equipped with:

• NuLuxe leather trim
• 8-way driver and front passenger power-adjustable heated seats (driver’s with two-way lumbar power adjustment)
• 14-inch multimedia display
• 10-speaker Panasonic audio with DAB
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Five USB-C ports 
• Qi wireless phone charger

Safety-wise, the Luxury variant has:

• Lexus Connected Services
• 10 airbags and a comprehensive range of safety
• Security features as part of Lexus Safety Sense+

The RZ450e Luxury Sport is specified with:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Acoustic glass
• Dynamic auto-levelling headlights with cornering function
• Two-tone exterior paint option
• Ultrasuede interior trim
• Heated outer rear seats
• Ventilated driver and front passenger seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Innovative radiant heating for front seat occupants
• Three-position driver seat memory
• Touch sensitive steering wheel controls
• Head up display
• Adaptive high beam system
• Intelligent park assist
• Dimming panoramic roof
• Smart key card 
• 13-speak Mark Levinson Premium Audio

For Lexus battery-electric products customers, the company offers complimentary home charging (already offered to UX300e BEV customers) to all RZ 450e buyers through Lexus Encore Electrified Platinum benefits. These benefits also include complimentary Valet Parking.

In the near future, the RZ electric SUV is expected to offer a new yoke steering wheel that will also incorporate a steer-by-wire functionality. Further details will be made available closer to the system’s introduction.

There is also the use of four-wheel power distribution using it’s advanced electric e-Axle for both front and rear wheels. It adjusts the torque depending on the vehicle speed, steering angle and g-forces.