2022 Lexus RZ electric SUV teased
Lexus will launch its first dedicated electric car next year, with a battery platform shared with siblings from Toyota and Subaru.
Lexus has teased its first dedicated all-electric vehicle, set for launch next year, and has officially confirmed its name: the 2022 Lexus RZ.
Riding on the same e-TNGA architecture as the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra, the new RZ will draw close inspiration from the LF-Z Electrified concept revealed earlier this year, with teaser images released by Lexus confirming key concept design cues will carry over, including the full-width tail-light bar, rear pillar graphic and front fascia design.
While the RZ’s sheetmetal appears to be all new, a side-by-side comparison with its BZ4X twin suggests both vehicles share their fundamental dimensions, including a 2850mm wheelbase, and overall proportions including door placement, roof height, windscreen rake and charging port location.
Using the BZ4X (and therefore Solterra) as a guide, expect the RZ to measure approximately 4700mm long, 1860mm wide and 1650mm high – similar overall dimensions to the current, petrol-electric hybrid Lexus NX medium SUV, albeit sitting on a 160mm-longer wheelbase.
Details of exactly what will power the RZ are so far unclear. However, clues can be drawn from the ‘RZ450e’ badge Lexus has trademarked in regions including Australia, with the ‘450’ designation in the Lexus hierarchy pointing to a power output in the mid-200kW range, likely from dual electric motors, in order to help transfer drive to the tarmac.
The LF-Z Electrified concept paired a 90kWh battery with a pair of electric motors, enabling 600km of WLTP claimed range, a 0-100km/h time of three seconds, and combined outputs of 400kW and 700Nm – a perfect fit for a possible high-performance RZ F flagship.
Expect to hear more about the 2022 Lexus RZ electric SUV as its reveal approaches in the first half of 2022, with an Australian launch likely to follow at a later date.
The post 2022 Lexus RZ electric SUV teased appeared first on Drive.