AN end-of-2021 local market arrival timing has been announced for the UX 300e, the first Lexus to be wholly reliant on battery-fed electric power.
Confirmation of the small SUV’s local availability comes more than a year after the local arm expressed interest and almost two years since its global debut at a motor show in China.
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THEY call it LF-Z Electrified and, officially, it’s just a preview of what a Lexus designed from the ground up to be all-electric could look like.
With Toyota’s premium brand also announcing overnight intent to introduce 20 all-new or redesigned vehicles globally by 2025, at least half of which executives say will be all-electric or electrified hybrid models, there’s growing speculation this apparently fully operational four-seater SUV crossover here will be heading into production as a next step beyond its only current electric offer, the NX300e.
With a cab-rearward design that is unusual for an SUV, the LF-Z Electrified features many of the company’s signature design elements such as the ‘big tick’ headlights and spindle grill, but with new, more modern interpretations.
The interior features a somewhat minimalist design aside from driver-centric cockpit screens. It’s a driver-focused layout, with a mixture of switches on the steering wheel and a head-up display. The rear of the cabin features two bucket seats.
Lexus already has an electric car and it is expected in New Zealand later this year. But it’s a version of the NX, which was designed for combustion engines. LF-Z goes the next step; there’s no sign it will have an ICE powertrain.
The brand says the car sits on a bespoke electric platform, which is almost certain to be e-TNGA, the EV-specific underpinnings on which Toyota will base its upcoming BZ series of models. The first BZ is set to be unveiled within days.
At 4880mm long and 1600mm tall, the LF-Z Electrified is just 10mm shorter than Lexus’s most popular SUV here, the RX, but the roofline is obviously lower, by 80mm according to the maker. The EV’s wheelbase is 160mm longer, too.
The LF-Z features Lexus’s DIRECT4 four-wheel-drive system and an electric motor set-up producing a total of 400kW and 700Nm of torque – enough to take the LF-Z Electrified from 0-100kmh in three seconds.
Lexus says the battery is a 90kWh lithium-ion unit, and that the LF-Z can travel for up to 600km between recharges. Its maximum recharging speed is 150kW.
Lexus president, Koji Sato, has announced that the brand’s product refresh will kick in before the end of 2021.
“Starting with two new models to be released this year,” he said.
“We will continue to develop innovative products that will add colour to the diversifying lifestyles of our customers.”
Lexus New Zealand has yet to explain how the impending model roll out will impact on its own operation, but chief executive Neeraj Lala has offered that: “The automotive industry both globally and in New Zealand are entering a period of once-in-a-century transformation.
“In addition to the growing imperative to achieve carbon neutrality for the betterment of the planet customers lifestyles and values are changing and diversifying at a speed previously unimagined.”
“Lexus will continue to lead the luxury market in New Zealand in reducing CO2 emissions and is looking at its future powertrain offerings. By 2025 Lexus plans to introduce 20 new or improved models, including more than 10 electrified models such as BEVs, PHEVs and HEVs, based on the concept of offering the right products in the right place at the right time.“
“Vehicle concepts like the LF-Z Electrified, excite the senses and give you a true feeling of what Lexus and Experience Amazing means,” says Lala.
Since the launch of the RX 400h – the world’s first luxury hybrid electric vehicle – in 2005, Lexus customers have purchased nearly two million electrified vehicles globally, as at the end of 2020. Lexus globally offers nine models of (HEVs) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in approximately 90 countries and regions around the world.
“In New Zealand we have seen customers moving to Lexus Electrified product with a 38 percent increase year to date*,” says Andrew Davis, Lexus New Zealand general manager. “Seventy-one percent of these sales are hybrid-electric powertrains.”
By 2050, Lexus aims to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the lifecycle of its entire model lineup – from the manufacturing of materials, parts and vehicles to vehicle logistics, to the final disposal and recycling of older vehicles.
“Lexus has always pursued both performance and sustainability, and through the Lexus electrified vision, will continue to use technology to create a sustainable future while still embracing the enjoyment and pleasure that cars offer customers,” says Lala.
KIWI Lexus owners travelling, once conditions allow, into Australia might yet get a sweet deal set to be afforded their Aussie counterparts coming here – free use of a brand-new car from the make during their visit.
The opportunity for Lexus Australia customers subscribed to a generous support package they get (and Kiwis don’t) has elevated to allow them to make use of Lexus NZ cars as a complimentary booking service.
The just-announced opportunity is being spruiked by our neighbour as a way of supporting a travel bubble between our countries.
Lexus in NZ is looking at whether it can arrange a reciprocal arrangement, but it’s early days.
The ‘Lexus on Demand’ car-sharing opportunity is part of a pampering customer support programme called Encore Platinum that Australian owners sign into.
It’s an extension of another ownership programme, called Lexus Encore, and is offered as standard to Australian buyers of LC, LS, LX, RC F and GS F models.
Lexus New Zealand has no equivalent, general manager Andrew Davis says.
“NZ customers do not receive the same Encore Platinum benefits that Australian customers do as they receive a four year, unlimited km warranty, full maintenance service and Lexus Plus roadside assistance package.
“We always assess the benefits that we provide our customers so are reviewing the Encore Platinum offering against the benefits currently offered but there is no plan to change at this stage.”
The Aussie offer allows owners of Toyota’s flagship models to book, via an app, any vehicle in the Lexus range when travelling. It's been previously limited to interstate travel - NZ is the first international tilt.
It isn’t an open slather deal - users can take no more than four trips – but is generous nonetheless as each of those trips can last up to eight days. The journeys have to be undertaken over the three-year life of the membership programme.
The NZ aspect means Lexus owners can book and collect a loan car of their choosing from a variety of NZ airports, thereby skipping the typical rental car process.
In explaining the scheme, Lexus Australia boss Scott Thompson says: “Looking forward into 2021, there are some positive signs for the industry and for the economy, and with vaccines arriving now, we also have plans for the two-way travel bubble with New Zealand.
"Hopefully this will happen by the end of next month. We are anticipating that many Australian customers will be keen to experience international travel when the transtasman bubble opens.
“So coming later this year, we've decided to expand Encore Platinum to offer our Australian customers the luxury and convenience that is Lexus on Demand when they fly across the pitch.”
The company is yet to announce the specific airports where the service will be offered, as well as a line-up of specific models owners can access in New Zealand.
In Australia, the Lexus on Demand service typically offers owners access to a spread of multi-purpose vehicles, including the LS large limo for luxury touring, the RX and LX for utility and space and the LC and RC F for sportier drives.
The challenge in New Zealand might be having enough of those cars to provision – the LX, LS and LC in particular achieve just a handful of registrations per year.
Davis says: “We are looking to support the Lexus On Demand feature of Encore Platinum for Australian customers who visit NZ. The details are being worked through and timing and locations will be announced once confirmed.
“The offering in NZ will be the same as it is for customers travelling within Australia but we are looking to have a smaller number of practical models (e.g. RX) to better suit usage for those travelling to NZ. Once launched we will monitor usage and demand to assess the programme in NZ.”
“For Lexus NZ the commitment is in having cars available to Australian customers and working with Lexus Australia on managing bookings and the process with the highest levels of Omotenashi (a word that essentially translates to ‘Japanese hospitality’) in mind.”
As for them doing the same for us? Not at the moment.But they’re thinking about it.
“In regard to NZ offering our customers the same access in Australia? That is under consideration and the success of the Australia to NZ offering will be a guide for demand on this.”
Lexus Australia’s Encore programme also includes loan cars while a owner’s car is being serviced, access to exclusive events and upgrades at partner hotels.
NO chance: That’s the response in precis from Lexus New Zealand when asked about potential of the just-revealed flagship of its new IS compact luxury sedan line reaching this market.
The local distributor, operating as an adjunct to Toyota New Zealand, has reiterated a view expressed in other right-hand-drive locales: Namely, that the new car is only for North America. Specifically, the United States.
What Kiwis knew as the IS-F, ultimately in a sizzler Redline edition, until it was curtailed in 2014 is now called the IS500 F Sport Performance.
Power is from the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8 seen under the bonnet of the RC-F and GS F performance cars, but also involved with the IS-F since it was born in 2008.
In this latest application it develops 352kW of power at 7100rpm and 536Nm of torque, at 4800rpm. That’s a 41kW and 31Nm lift over the outputs cited for the last of the IS-Fs, which in its own right moved with astounding alacrity.
The extra wallop would certainly enhance the pedigree when measured against two of the best in the business, the BMW M3/M4 and Mercedes Benz C63.
Lexus claims a 4.5 second 0-100kmh time. Kerb weight is rated at 1765kg, up just 65kg over the most exciting model in the current NZ line-up, the rear-wheel-drive IS350 F Sport.
Under the skin, the 'standard' IS's 'Dynamic Handling Package' has been fitted as standard to the IS500 to help cope with the extra grunt, with additions including adaptive suspension, a Yamaha rear performance damper (designed to reduce body flex and increase rigidity), and a Torsen limited-slip rear differential.
19-inch Enkei alloy wheels fill the arches – which are said to be 2.7kg lighter in total versus the regular IS F Sport's 19-inch wheels – hiding larger 356mm two-piece front and 323mm rear sports brakes.
Styling upgrades over NZ-familiar IS F Sport models largely comprise a 51mm-taller bonnet to accommodate the V8 engine, "lengthened" front bumper and quarter panels, a new rear diffuser with the brand's signature stacked quad exhaust tips, black window surrounds, black badging and a black lip spoiler.
Inside, the standard model's 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are carried over, with changes limited to F Sport Performance badging on the steering wheel, metallic pedals, unique illuminated door sill plates and an IS500-specific start-up animation for the instrument cluster.
The full Lexus Safety System Plus driver assistance suite carries over to the flagship.
By chance, in an interview given to MotoringNZ.co, just weeks ago – when the IS500 was still under wraps – the potential of there ever being another IS-F was discussed by Lexus NZ boss Andrew Davis.
At that time, he said he did not know of anything on the horizon, but added: “There is speculation on IS-F and I think this speculation just shows there is still market interest in those sorts of cars.”
Lexus has RC-F and has had GS-F, so there’s logic to think there might still be space for another IS-F, he said then. That the old model has established a cult following also weighed into it.
The fourth generation IS is really a big refresh of the old car, but Lexus NZ is confident the update will appeal more to Kiwis and lead to a sales resurgence.
HOW much challenge awaits a highly-rated performance-themed sedan when it delivers with fresh pizzazz – a host of styling and technology tweaks abetting the outgoing model’s well-regarded underpinnings?
Market trend suggests it will still be considerable, the local boss of Lexus concurs, in discussion about the IS.
The consumer rush to crossovers and sports utilities has lifted Lexus but not without loss; that shift is fuelled by sedan abdication. It’s why the GS has been pulled, the ES and LS are down to a sales crawl.
And IS? The past two years’ NZTA registrations relate that the BMW 3-Series fighter has also taken a pummelling; 40 national registrations last year after 63 in 2019.
Not a good graph, you’d think.
And, yet, while IS is down, it isn’t out. There’s confidence it can climb back – potentially into a three-figure sales result this year, Lexus NZ general manager Andrew Davis vouches.
New styling is just part of the IS’s makeover. It also picks up additional technology. The drivetrains and chassis are carried over, though.
Hence why it has unleashed seven derivatives of its smallest rear-drive product, including a new hybrid variant, in a performance theme.
What’s being described as the fourth-generation model is more accurately a big makeover. A number of fresh technologies, improved dynamics and a complete overhaul of its dramatic styling place atop an existing platform, with carryover hybrid and pure petrol powertrains, albeit with a few unique mapping tweaks to increase responsiveness.
Davis sees it as a fresh start car and is confident the 2021 count will be at least double last year’s – perhaps even hitting three figures. However, he concedes the decision to keep the car in circulation was no given.
Could it have been dropped? Simply, yes. Global and local trends could hardly be ignored.
“Consideration for us came into quite a few factors,” Davis says on explaining why it ultimately received a green light, rather than a red.
One was not having a GS. Thought was IS could successfully span into the bigger car’s zone. Also, Lexus took another look at how certain European models were bucking the trend. Specifically? Mercedes C-Class.
“We thought ‘some competitors, particularly Mercedes, are still going quite well with sedans’. We realised that the car the size of IS therefore still has a place. We had also had reasonable success, albeit low volume, with ES. So we thought we still should keep it in the market.”
Still, some will say Lexus NZ is being extraordinarily bold in launching with seven IS derivatives; going by the registrations counts for the past two years, there surely has to be a strong likelihood some of these might represent in availability only and never in true ownership?
Andrew Davis, who now heads Lexus NZ in addition to being head of marketing for Toyota NZ, says the aim this year is to achieve 1000 sales - or more - for the premium marque.
Davis says it’s an interesting question. “We’ve added in an F-Sport hybrid and hybrid is becoming a bigger proportion of our sales … and the technology has gotten better and better. I think people still want the hybrid benefit, but they also want the look, so we’ve added that to our range.” The initial order of six base cars, 13 F-Sport and 16 Limited hybrid models suggests the demand is there and also supports in-house thought that hybrid F-Sport and Limited will be the lead sellers. Ultimately, the market will decide what’s hot and what’s not, yet he’s confident nothing will be left on the shelf.
AS for volumes? Davis asserts there’s every likelihood the bottom of the curve has been reached; from now on, the graph line is ascending. He thinks this year’s IS tally will be at least double the 2020 result, if not exceed 100 units. Which, if achieved, means the car will contribute to 10 percent of the brand’s overall expected volume for this year.
“We definitely expect growth. You do with every new model coming in. I think the styling is more appealing to New Zealanders … the spindle grille is a little more subtle.”
Last year Lexus NZ achieved 818 registrations, with its SUV stock accounting for more than 70 percent of that volume. Davis expects that dominance to ramp up to almost a 75 percent split in 2021, where the target is 1000 units. Or more.
“We are expecting good growth. When Covid was hitting hard – we’re talking July-August – we reduced our (2020) forecast to 650 units. So we are looking at quite a turn.” Last month produced a good start; 131 cars sold. “If you’re looking at 1000, 131 is a good start.” All the same, Lexus is no more immune to any other brand when it comes to sourcing stock. The market is running strong, but fulfilling that demand could well be challenging.
Could you see this car being the basis of another IS-F? The thought intrigues Davis, and there has been scuttlebutt, but nothing concrete.
Now that Toyota has Gazoo Racing, is there latitude for Lexus to revive the full-blown IS-F performance car? Indeed, is there latitude for Lexus – the make that brought the world the astounding V10 LF-A, which Toyota boss Akio Toyoda raced in several Nurburgring 24-Hours, including when the rocketship coupe was still under development - to have anything like Gazoo?
That one raises a reflective laugh from Davis. “There’s nothing on the horizon that I’m aware of. There is speculation on IS-F and I think this speculation just shows there is still market interest in those sorts of cars.”
Lexus has had RC-F and GS-F, so there’s logic to think there might still be space for another IS-F. That the old model has established a cult following also weighs into it.
Still, as much as indications are that if another generation of the V8 monster sedan entered the fray, it might still have a good reception. At same token, though, the realities of modern motoring also cannot be ignored. Emissions, economy … even halo cars don’t get to escape those realities, all the moreso now Government has clarified its clean car intentions.”
The Lexus ‘performance into passion’ credo resonates strongly with him. “You’ve got to have cars that inspire emotions … we need cars that perform really strongly.”
Yes, Lexus held the performance mantle pre-Gazoo, but there’s no sense that the premium brand has been robbed by Toyota’s new motorsport-inspired energy.
“Yes, Gazoo is where the Toyota product is going, but Lexus will still lead, I believe, with performance. It’s just that whether that performance takes a different shape and perhaps with a different powertrain.
“I think what we see is that the motorsport-related performance cars will be Toyota rather than necessarily Lexus, and there is logic in that when you consider where the GR brand is going.
At same token, there’s clear recognition that “consumers connect luxury and performance together. Which is why I say Lexus still needs some element of performance to continue to a leading luxury brand. That’s a challenge we will face.
“When you look future powertrains, Lexus will likely lead with some of that activity. So then it’s what sort of performance does that take.”
UX is already well-received by Lexus buyers and hybrid drivetrains are favoured, so potentially the next-step UX300e full electric should find easy acceptance with customers.
Speaking of … Lexus is very strongly established as a hybrid marque now and soon it will have a full electric car, with the UX300e, arriving later this year (final confirmation pending). What kind of preparation is being considered for that model’s release and marketing?
There’s a challenge in establishing a support infrastructure; Lexus has of course studied how some competitors already operating in the EV-sphere have achieved this. Toyota’s experience with Prius Prime hsd also been invaluable.
“What is going to interest me is the adopters of hybrid - once they have an electric option, will they move, and how quickly will they move. I think they will have good trust in the technologies, because they have already adopted hybrid.”
Price remains an unknown, but it’s the right kind of car for a battery charge, not least given it packages in a bodystyle brand fans are familiar and comfortable with.
“If the model already suits them and it’s just a matter of a different powertrain, then I think they’ll go (EV). It’ll just be in what volumes.
“UX has been a big seller for us and customer feedback is great … it’s the right size for Kiwis, so I cannot see why people wouldn’t go to it.”
DETERMINATION by Lexus to axe the GS sedan is bittersweet for the brand’s top man here.
Neeraj Lala has no trouble understanding the logic behind the move – the national SUV obsessions has rendered luxury sedans of all sizes increasingly irrelevant.
Here Toyota’s premier marque has primarily become a sports utility operation, with the extra spin of a brand-unique hybrid push with its controversial ‘self-charging’ tag line.
Even though the sales progress of the four-strong GS line is modest in New Zealand, it has a fanbase.
Lala’s in that support group. He reckons his own drive car, the range-topping F-designated V8 that, at $169,900 costs $60k more than the entry variant, that sees far more red than Green, won’t be easy to relinquish. Mind you, he has the best sub-variant, the limited-count F10 anniversary model.
“It’s a great car, hands down the best one I’ve had as a work car,” says the Toyota and Lexus New Zealand chief operating officer.
“I’m really enjoying having it. They did a great job with it.
“It’s a real shame to see ‘fun’ sedans like this being under threat. But demand for those cars unfortunately doesn’t allow them to continue on.”
The decision to axe GS was expected. “Switching it off has been on our plan for at least two years, it’s not a surprise.
“It is fairly well documented that the demand for those sedans is no longer there. SUVs and crossovers now deliver the same handling levels but also offer greater practicality and flexibility.
“It is a car we would love to keep but the brand is moving on. We have some exciting Lexus models coming next year and, honestly, I just see customers gravitating more toward those models that offer more flexible, dynamic solutions than a traditional rear-drive car.”
GS production for NZ ends in August. The LS flagship and smaller ES sedan will remain in the family, the latter now including an F-Sport
For New Zealand, the ‘F’ will be the final blast of a model line that has been part of Lexus for 27 years and spans four generations.
An announced special edition of a current shape that came out in 2012 will not come to New Zealand, Lala says.
He believes the swansong ‘Eternal Touring’ special edition that will be last out of the factory will likely only avail in Japan and the United States.
The Eternal Touring adds a number of sporty design touches including the F Sport spindle grille, a rear spoiler, orange brake callipers, red-and-black leather interior trim, F Sport seats and carbon trim on the passenger-side dash.
With the removal of the GS F, Lexus NZ is left with only two models sporting the ferocious 351kW 5.0-litre aspirated V8 – the RC F and LC500 coupes.
However, more performance models seem set to be on the way. In February, the brand released a statement about its racing ambitions in Europe, and included in the news was the announcement it will be testing a new twin-turbo V8 that will be implemented in a production model.
No word has been given on what models are set to receive the new force-fed bent eight, however the most likely candidate is the LC coupe, which is being used as the test car for Lexus’ racing programme.
No current F grade exists for the flagship coupe, however a more potent version of the V8 could see it become a reality.
Given the current V8 outputs 351kW/540Nm in the LC500, the twin-turbo mill would likely have to push in excess of 400kW to earn the F badge, overseas’ media have conjected.
The first generation of GS went on sale globally in 1993, with the second-gen version following in 1997.
In 2005 the Toyota Crown-based third generation arrived, replaced by the current model in 2012.
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