After a long wait, Lexus finally released its first new energy model, the RZ. As a new energy SUV, the car will share the e-TNGA platform with Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Soltera, and the e-TNGA will be the same as the ordinary TNGA architecture in the future, dividing the platform into five modules (GA-B/C/F/K/L).
The way the RZ is named is also quite interesting, with R representing the Lexus RX family and Z representing zero, meaning the car will achieve its goal of 0 emissions. What I want to discuss this time is what "black technology" RZ has and whether it can be applied to the new generation of RX.
A production car most similar to a concept car
In terms of appearance, the design of the Lexus RZ continues the previously launched LF-Z Electrified concept car. Perhaps for aerodynamic reasons, the RZ as a production car looks more streamlined than the LF-Z Electrified.
Lexus' iconic boomerang headlights appear more rounded on the RZ, and the body lines also follow the sharp design of LF-Z Electrified, and the so-called "spindle"," which makes the overall shape of the front face more full.
It is worth mentioning that the taillights of the RZ are designed with through-LED, and even the special shape of the tail wing on the concept car is retained.
In the interior part, the design of the RZ is very different from the bZ4X. The designer transplanted the Tazuna interior style of the LF-Z Electrified concept body to the RZ, making the interior style of the vehicle more avant-garde, and the steering wheel more imitating the design of professional racing cars and fighters.
It is reported that the engineers set the steering wheel rotation angle to ±150 °, that is, the driver can complete complex operations such as U-turn and reverse into storage without changing hands. Of course, due to the laws and regulations in some regions, the steering wheel may not be able to achieve global landing, so Lexus also released a picture of the traditional steering wheel.
Lexus' unique black technology
Compared to the Toyota bZ4X on the same platform, Toyota injects more black technology into the Lexus RZ. The first is to improve the control of direct4 technology, which is simply an electric all-wheel drive control system, but unlike the Toyota E-four, the Direct4 can more precisely control the power output and braking force from the front/rear generator to the front/rear wheels. And according to the current driving state, the drive balance between the two axles is automatically adjusted to optimize the driving experience and body attitude.
In addition to the Direct4 electronic dynamic four-wheel drive system, it is followed by the Steel by Wire variable electronic steering system. The system independently controls the steering torque in the direction and the angle of the wheel, and is linked to the driving mode, thereby changing the characteristics of the steering structure, so that the vehicle blocks the unnecessary vibration caused by the tire when passing through the uneven road.
In terms of intelligent assistance, RZ is equipped with the latest active safety technology (LSS+ 3.0) and teammate autonomous driving system. The above-mentioned One Motion Grip, the design of electronic steer-by-wire, is completely in preparation for the future L3 automatic driving assistance.
E-TNGA realizes oil-electric coexistence
In terms of power, at present, the official only publishes the output data of the front and rear generators of RZ, the front generator can output 201hp, and the rear generator outputs 107hp. In terms of battery life, the RZ is equipped with a 71.4kWh lithium battery pack, which provides a cruising range of about 450km (under J-WLTC Japanese conditions).
With the appearance of lexus RZ, in addition to meaning that Lexus will be involved in new energy neighbors, you can also see the figure of a new generation of RX. There is no doubt that all the black technologies listed above will be applied to RX. According to the RZ body structure diagram released by Lexus, we can also see the reserved space of the starting cabin, which also shows that the RX will be highly similar to the RZ in terms of appearance and style.
Compared with a large number of European and American players, Toyota/Lexus is still more conservative about the strategy of launching new energy models, although its TSS hybrid technology is quite mature, but in the face of a number of new energy opponents, it still does not dare to act rashly, for fear of one wrong step at a time. After all, the competition in the domestic new energy market is still quite fierce, in addition to facing overseas brand models such as Tesla, Ford Match-E, etc., it also needs to face independent brands such as Xiaopeng, Ideal, and Weilai.
As for why Lexus chose to make its RZ debut in China instead of europe, the United States or Japan? Obviously, at present, the new energy models launched by major overseas car companies will be targeted at the domestic market, if it is not the Beijing Auto Show announced the postponement, we can also see the new energy counterattack of a number of traditional car companies.
In addition to being the integrators of traditional brands' accumulation of new energy technology, they are also the chief spokesmen for the future development direction of the brand.