Lexus RZ EV coming to Australia mid-2023

Lexus Australia has confirmed the RZ electric vehicle – its take on the Toyota bZ4x – is coming Down Under, earmarked for a mid-2023 arrival.

“I am delighted to confirm the RZ as the next all-new offering in the Lexus Electrified portfolio in Australia,” said John Pappas, Lexus Australia chief executive.

“This is a luxury SUV for customers wanting the latest in Lexus zero-emission technology and innovative design.”

The 2023 RZ450e is the first Lexus to be based on Toyota’s new e-TNGA platform for electric vehicles, and will come standard with a dual-motor all-wheel drive system featuring what Lexus calls DIRECT4 torque vectoring.

“Using acceleration, cornering-speed and steering-angle information, it automatically adjusts front-rear torque delivery and braking force to all four wheels to maximise grip, stability and comfort,” the company says in its media release.

Full specifications of the drivetrain, including power and torque outputs as well as performance figures, are still to be detailed.

Driving range is quoted at “approximately 450 kilometres” per charge of the RZ450e’s 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery, shared with the aforementioned Toyota bZ4x and the Subaru Solterra.

Lexus Australia says the new RZ will bring its electrified vehicle portfolio to nine products, including six hybrid (HEV) offerings, the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV), as well as the all-electric UX300e.

Key rivals for the new RZ450e will include the Tesla Model Y, Audi e-tron Sportback, BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace, Genesis GV60 and the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

The brand says almost half of its sales (47.3 per cent) have been electrified to the end of September – meaning nearly one in two Lexus sales are HEV, PHEV or EV.

Full pricing and specifications for the new Lexus RZ will be revealed closer to its mid-2023 Australian launch. Stay tuned to CarExpert for the latest.

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