If Lexus desires to rival different high-performance EVs, it’s going to must purpose in the direction of the five hundred hp mark
https://www.carscoops.com/writer/bradcarscoops-com/
by Brad Anderson
5 hours in the past
The Lexus RZ may obtain a high-performance ‘F’ mannequin that might permit it to rival autos together with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the Kia EV6 GT.
It just lately emerged that Lexus has filed to trademark the names ‘Lexus RZ F’ and ‘RZ F’ in Europe and Australia and that is our greatest indication but {that a} performance-focused model is within the works. As is to be anticipated of patent filings like this, no particulars have been offered in regards to the potential mannequin that the agency mannequin might launch but it surely’s not arduous to think about what the RZ F might be like.
The present flagship RZ450e includes a 71.4 kWh battery pack, a 201 hp (150 kW) electrical motor on the entrance and a 107 hp (80 kW) electrical motor on the rear. Whereas having 308 hp (230 kW) beneath your proper foot is nothing to scoff at, it’s considerably lower than the 527 hp (393 kW) Tesla Mannequin Y Efficiency, 641 hp (478 kW) Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and 577 hp (430 kW) Kia EV6 GT.
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If Lexus makes the RZ F a reliable rival to those three then it should ditch the usual mannequin’s electrical motors and change them with extra highly effective ones. It will doubtless additionally want to suit the SUV with a bigger battery pack to offer it no less than a decent driving vary given how a lot energy it should have.
Learn: Entry-Stage 2024 Lexus RZ 300e Comes To US With FWD And 266-Mile Vary
Drive notes that the RZ F might take some visible inspiration from the RZ450e F Sport Efficiency that was unveiled at January’s Tokyo Auto Salon and is the mannequin in our lead picture. That variant shares its mechanical elements with the common RZ450e however advantages from a dramatically revised exterior design that appears extra such as you’d count on to see from an aftermarket tuner quite than Lexus. Among the many key adjustments made embody flared wheel arches, a extra dramatic entrance finish, and twin spoilers on the rear.
An RZ F might undertake comparable design parts however we suspect it will most likely look just a little extra restrained to broaden its attraction to a wider demographic.
