The all-electric Lexus RZ has been designed to mirror the athletic poise of the Cheetah.
With power of 312 PS and ‘DIRECT4’ all-wheel-drive, the RZ should prove as agile as that rapid big cat, too.
The RZ - or the ‘RZ 450e’ to give it its full name - is an all-new, all-electric SUV from Japanese manufacturer Lexus.
A rival to the BMW iX3 and Audi Q4 e-tron, it’s the brand’s first pure battery electric vehicle (BEV). It’ll start appearing on UK roads in the coming weeks with order books now open.
And here’s everything you need to know about a car Lexus says ‘dares to be different’.
Chief Engineer Takashi Watanabe says that, like a cheetah, the RZ is all about ‘responsive, energetic' performance.
A spokesperson tells us:
“The RZ’s body evokes the dynamism of the fast cat when it is sprinting: nose tucked down, tail high, rear legs digging in for grip and propulsion. This is seen in the RZ’s nose-to-tail stance, sinewy flanks, and the way the rear tyres appear to be kicking down at the ground. The body volume appears to push the rear tyres rearward and the rear wheel arches, like those at the front, are distinctively muscular.”
Aerodynamics is also key, which is why the RZ features front grille shutters and a rear spoiler that looks like a pair of ‘horns’.
Power comes from a 71.4kWh battery - similar in size to the Audi e-tron Technik 50 quattro - which sees the RZ sprinting from 0-62mph in 5.6 seconds.
Lexus also expects the RZ to be able to cover ‘more than’ 250 miles between charges.
A spokesperson adds:
“Thanks to a focus on key factors, including optimised vehicle weight, battery power and performance, the RZ has a target consumption of below 18kW per 100km (62 miles) driven, which makes the RZ one of the most efficient BEVs on the market.”
When it comes to charging, a full battery replenish using a 7 kW home wall box will take around 10 hours 15 minutes. Using a rapid charger at 150 kW will take the battery back up to 80% in just 25 minutes. To make sure you get the most out of every charge, take a look at our guide on picking your ideal EV charger.
There are two trim levels available - base ‘Premium Plus Pack’ and the range-topping ‘Takumi’ model.
The Premium Plus Pack RZ gets 20 inch alloys, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic glass roof, head-up display, and the Lexus ‘Link Pro Multimedia System’, which features a large 14 inch touchscreen.
You also get the ‘Lexus Safety System + 3’, which provides a suite of driver assistance and safety technology, including pre-collision intervention and dynamic radar cruise control with ‘Curve Speed Management’.
The Takumi trim adds extras such as a suede cabin, 64 colour ambient lighting, automatic and remote parking, an uprated sound system and a panoramic roof that you can dim at the touch of a button.
Prices for the RZ start at £66,500 to buy outright. Lease prices begin at around £765 per month*.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 05/09/22.
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