Dominated by sharp lines and creases, it’s not much different than any other Lexus models
As part of its 2021 global sales performance announcement, Lexus has released more official photos of its upcoming battery-electric vehicle (BEV) called the RZ 450e. It should come as no surprise that the overall shape bears plenty of resemblance to the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solterra since it is also based on the e-TNGA platform.
That being said, the RZ 450e does have its own styling to suit Lexus’ brand image as the luxury arm of Toyota. In fact, the design doesn’t stray too far away from the LF-Z Electrified concept car, although some of the lines have been watered down by quite a bit, which is a common practice among manufacturers when turning concept cars into production models.
When it hits the market, we will be able to distinguish the RZ 450e from the Toyobaru twins thanks to its sharp headlights, “spindle body” front end, black C-pillars and slim taillights that span across the tailgate and extend all the way to the rear haunch. On top of that, the black trim around the wheel arches is also a lot slimmer compared to that of the bZ4x and Solterra.
Lexus has yet to release the interior photos but we wouldn’t be too surprised to see if it featured better technology and materials that we’ve come to expect from a Lexus. There’s a video that shows Lexus president Koji Sato being driven around a test track in a prototype RZ by Akio Toyoda but it doesn’t reveal much of the cabin.
Technical details also remain unknown at the time of writing but the RZ is expected to have more power than both the bZ4X and Solterra, along with Direct4 all-wheel drive, which means it will come with one electric motor for each axle.
PRESS RELEASE
Lexus announced today its 2021 global sales results as described below.
Global sales for the period of January-December, 2021 were 760,012 units (106% compared to the previous year), showing a recovery trend and surpassing last year’s results. On a regional level, North America achieved approximately 332,000 units (112% compared to the previous year), and China achieved a record high of approximately 227,000 units (101% compared to the previous year), driving the recovery of global sales. On a model level, sales of electrified vehicles reached a record high of approximately 260,000 units (110% year-on-year) thanks to the strong sales of ES, RX and UX hybrid models. In addition, with the release of new NX as the first model of the next generation Lexus, and newly introduced PHEV, Lexus accelerating the practical spread of electrification to meet needs for customers and society. Lexus aims to achieve offering a full lineup of BEVs in all segments by 2030, 100% BEV sales in Europe, North America, and China, and 1 million units sold globally as a new challenge of realizing a carbon-neutral society. Furthermore, we also aim to achieve 100% BEVs globally by 2035. Lexus will continue to create vehicles that meet the diverse needs and lifestyles of our customers.
January-December, 2021 sales results by major region are as follows.
North America approx. 332,000 units (112% compared to prev. year)
China approx. 227,000 units (101% compared to prev. year)
Europe approx. 72,000 units (102% compared to prev. year)
Japan approx. 51,000 units (104% compared to prev. year)
Middle East approx. 28,000 units (103% compared to prev. year)
East Asia approx. 30,000 units (95% compared to prev. year)
Lexus International President / Chief Branding Officer, Koji Sato
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our Lexus customers around the world. Despite the continuing impact of the spread of the COVID-19 and the tight parts supply chain, we were able to recover sales to a record level in 2021, selling approximately 760,000 units. In 2022, we will continue to refine Lexus’ unique design and driving taste that appeals to the sensibilities of our customers, based on our thoughts to “be the brand that people who know the real thing choose at the end of the day”. We will also accelerate the development of electric vehicles starting with the BEV exclusive model “RZ” in spring, we will release a series of new models that will accompany the lifestyles of a variety of customers. Please look forward to the future of Lexus.
