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More zap with next Lexus electric

Powerful styling isn’t the only ace card being played by the RZ 450e.

ADDITIONAL images and information filtering out of Lexus enforce its first vehicle purpose-designed purely for electric power will be more than just a Toyota bZ4X with a nicer interior.

 The ‘RZ Concept’ that places on the same e-TNGA architecture as the Toyota BZ4X and Subaru Solterra – models expected to come on local sale in late 2022 and early 2023 respectively – now has an official alphanumeric name: RZ 450e.

 Reports from North America, a primary market, say it will offer a new all-wheel-drive dual-motor powertrain setup, called Direct4, that’s a step above the set-up going into the Toyobaru.  

While the interior has yet to be spied, additional photos released by the brand show the RZ's exterior design in full.

Those images, seen today, propose that it is more athletic and sleeker than its Toyota and Subaru counterparts.

The black treatment for the C pillars along with the stylish headlights and taillights make it look more distinctive. 

Meantime, there’s extra info in respect to Direct4. This utilises front and rear electric motors that provide 149kW and 300Nm of torque each. 

Lexus hasn't shared a total output figure, but there’s conjecture this combination in the RZ should provide more power than the dual-motor powertrain in the bZ4X and Solterra, which pairs two 80kW electric motors to develop 160kW combined.

The Solterra is available with the same choice of powertrains as the Toyota.

The Toyobaru twins also configure in a single motor, front-drive entry edition, with a 150kW electric motor. This is not being considered by Lexus.

Lexus has not discussed potential range, but the dual motor bZ4X and Solterra are claimed to deliver 460kms when measured to WLTP equivalence while the front-drive is claimed to go for another 70kms still.