In a bid to follow the global trend of electric vehicle EV models, Toyota Motor’s luxury vehicle division, Lexus has officially launched its first fully electric vehicle – the RZ 450e and new generation RX series with three electric powertrains.
The RX series is an electric version of Lexus’ core RX series models, first released in 2006. The three different powertrain options are the hybrid (HEV) model RX350h, the plug-in hybrid model (PHEV) RX450h+ and the turbo-engine hybrid model (turbo HEV) RX500h F sports performance.
During the launch event at Lotte World Mall in Songpa District, the auto brand said the RZ 450e sells for 85 million won-93 million won (US$66,000 – $72,000) depending on options, while the RZ models are priced at 97 million won-116 million won.
RZ 450e: Lexus’s First All-electric Model
The all-electric RZ is the first Lexus car to adopt an EV-only platform, the e-TNGA, which the company introduces as the starting point of the Lexus change in car design and driving performance.
The brand’s first silicon carbide inverter is used in the all-electric vehicle, which features a huge capacity lithium-ion battery (71.4 kilowatts per hour) and a driving range of up to 377 kilometers on a single charge. The system of the car has a 312 horsepower total output.
Speaking on the new all-electric car, an official of Lexus Korea said: “We see newlyweds in their 30s and 40s as our target customers for RZ. They are smart consumers, who are willing to spend money according to their preference and purpose.”
Promoting Carbon Neutralization Suitable Environment
Watanabe Takashi, Lexus’s International President, said the brand will promote carbon neutrality appropriate to the characteristics and environment of the Korean market in line with Lexus’ global strategy to transform into a mobility company.
In his words: “Korea is a market that is. leading the global electric vehicle trend. In line with Lexus’s global direction to change into a mobility company, we will promote carbon neutralization suitable for the characteristics and environment of the Korean market.”
To speed up the development of environmentally friendly vehicles, Lexus will construct a research station with a test track close to Toyota’s headquarters in Aichi Prefecture in March next year.
