Lexus RZ450e EV SUV Teased Online – Launch Imminent?

Lexus RZ450e shown during the 'Beyond Zero' expo by UMWT earlier this year.

Lexus Malaysia took to social media (Facebook & Instagram) earlier this week and dropped a new model teaser. Whilst said new offering wasn’t named outright, the veiled preview showing its headlights and hints of its front bumper were enough for us to deduce it’s the RZ450e.

Poised to be Lexus Malaysia’s first electric vehicle (EV) offering, the Lexus RZ450e was first publicly previewed earlier this year during the ‘Beyond Zero’ expo held by parent firm UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT). At said point, registration of interest (ROI) were also opened for the model.

Given the recent teasers, we’re certain that Lexus Malaysia is set to officially launch the RZ450e into its local line-up soon. As a refresher, the RZ450e underpins the same e-TNGA platform architecture as the Toyota bZ4X that was also previewed alongside this Lexus model prior.

Unlike said Toyota, this Lexus offshoot benefits with a sharper, sportier exterior design matched with a more luxuriously decked out cabin and a richer list of kit. Moreover, unlike the Toyota model mentioned, this Lexus offshoot also boasts a peppier powertrain setup.

Underneath, the Lexus RZ450e packs a dual-motor, AWD setup juiced by a 71.4 kWh battery that promises up to 440 KM of range.

As a refresher, the Lexus RZ450e previewed locally earlier this year packed a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup rated at 313 PS and 435 NM. Juiced by a 71.4 kWh battery pack, 0-100 KM/H sprints take just 5.3 secs whilst V-max is capped at 160 KM/H.

Said battery pack accepts both 11 kW AC and up to 150 kW DC charging inputs, the latter enabling 0-80% re-charges in just 30 minutes. With each full charge, the Lexus RZ450e has a claimed maximum travel range of up to 440 KM too.

Unlike its Toyota twin, expect this Lexus offshoot to offer a more luxurious and tech-laden cabin, perhaps mirroring much of what we saw in the RX model.

In typical Lexus fashion, expect the RX450e to offer a slew of active driver assistance (ADAS) features that enable high-degree of semi-autonomous driving. We can also expect a slew of high-tech luxuries primed on board mirroring what we saw laced in the RX350 and RX500h.

As for price, your guess is as good as ours here. However, given the government’s on-going tax break incentive for fully imported (CBU) EVs, we can perhaps expect this Lexus alternative to be competitively priced against some of its key European rivals – i.e. BMW iX1, Volvo C40 Recharge.

We’ll have more details as soon as we obtain them. In the meantime, what do you folks reckon then? Would you fancy this left-field Japanese alternative to the usual European or Chinese crop of luxury crossover SUVs? Share your take in the comments below…