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2023 Lexus RZ 450e electric crossover unveiled with 225-mile range

Lexus, one of the pioneers of hybrid technology in the luxury segment, is ready to march into EV territory. It unveiled a battery-powered model called RZ 450e that was developed as an electric car from the ground-up and that blazes the path that several cars will follow. While the RZ isn't the first electric Lexus, that honor goes to the UX300e sold in Europe and in China, it's the first electric Lexus that was developed as a standalone model for global markets. There will not be a gasoline-burning or even a hybrid-powered RZ. The firm started with an EV-specific version of the e-TNGA platform developed by parent company Toyota and also found under the bZ4X, which explains why the crossover's proportions might look familiar. One of the most striking styling cues is that the Spindle Grille is gone: it has been replaced by a body-colored insert that Lexus named a Spindle Body. We're told that future EVs from Lexus will follow this design direction. The RZ stretches 189 inches long, 74.6 inches wide, and 64.4 inches tall, dimensions that make it about three inches shorter and 10 inches longer than the RX and exactly as wide. Its weight hasn't been released yet. It's also slightly longer, wider, and lower than the bZ4X. Inside, the RZ is characterized by a minimalist design that's elegant and inspired by elements of Japanese culture. Most of the few switches left in the cabin are grouped into two clusters on the steering wheel; they let the driver control features like the infotainment system and the optional head-up display. The center stack is dominated by a 14-inch touchscreen that the RZ borrows from the NX and the LX. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Drivers will be able to count on the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suit of electronic driving aids, which includes a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control, among other features. Remote-controlled parking will be optional, and radiant heaters located below the steering column and on the bottom of the passenger's side of the dashboard will help warm the cabin without drawing too much electricity. Power comes from a pair of electric motors linked to a 71.4-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The motor installed on the front axle develops 201 horsepower while the one assigned to the rear axle generates 107 horsepower. This configuration gives the RZ through-the-road all-wheel-drive.

2021 Lexus NX 300h F Sport Black Line adds flair and luggage

At the beginning of the year, Lexus introduced a Black Line Special Edition trim on the NX 300 F Sport, produced in a run of just 1,000 examples. In April, the Japanese luxury maker showed the GS 350 Black Line Special Edition that came with a pair of Zero Halliburton cases as a last hurrah for the GS line, the sedan even more exclusive with just 250 units made. The 2021 NX 300h F Sport is next to pick up the baton, earning F Sport upgrades and snagging a set of that Halliburton luggage, too. Three colors are available: the brand-new deep blue of Grecian Water and the familiar Ultra White and Obsidian. Unlike the NX Black Line shown earlier, the hybrid paints its black wheel arch liners in body color and omits the faux carbon fiber side graphic, and the 19-inch chrome wheels replaced by 18-inch rims in "dark sputter" finish. Inside, blue stitching on the seats, door panels, armrest, center console. and floor mats accents the black interior. The F Sport treatment includes headlights, a larger mesh grille to replace the standard spindle grille with horizontal slats, a tuned suspension and sharper body kit. Lexus has made normally optional features like park assist and the foot-operated tailgate standard for the Black Line. Under the skin, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder assisted by an electric motor sends its 194 horsepower to all four wheels. The Lexus Black Line Zero Halliburton luggage duo starts with Halliburton's Edge Lightweight Collection. The 22-inch Continental Carry-on and 26-inch Medium Travel Case feature linings embroidered with Intersect by Lexus spindle grille art, interior compression panels with a Lexus embossed leather logo badge, and chrome badges laser-etched with "Zero Halliburton for Lexus" outside. Naturally, they come in black. Lexus will build 1,000 examples of the NX 300h Black Line Special Edition over the next 90 days, with availability as of now. Pricing starts at $47,835 after destination, $300 more than the standard top trim, the NX 300h Luxury AWD. Related Video:    

Lexus looking for performance with 600-hp LF-LC?

Lexus has been keeping development of the production version of its LF-LC concept tightly under wraps. Last we heard, that halo GT car had received the green light for production, but that was over a year ago. Since then, things have been pretty silent. Finally though, fresh rumors about the luxury coupe are starting to leak out, pointing toward the model's powertrain lineup.
According to unnamed sources speaking to Motor Trend, the production LF-LC will eventually sport three very intriguing engine options. The base model will reportedly use a naturally aspirated V8 providing around 450 horsepower - very similar specs to the upcoming RC F. The next step up will allegedly be the upcoming hybrid powertrain shared between BMW and Toyota pumping things up to around 500 hp. Finally, a top-of-the-heap F version will use a twin-turbocharged version of the RC F's 5.0-liter V8 to bring output to 600 hp. The insiders even claim that the hybrid and the twin-turbo V8 could find their way into other Lexus products like the LS and possibly even a more beastly RC.
None of this speculation sounds too outlandish. Lexus could get more capacity out of the RC F's tuned V8 by shoving it into other models, and rumors are flying about performance cars spawned from BMW and Toyota's partnership. Given Lexus' recent embrace of turbocharging, even the twin-turbo V8 doesn't seem too dubious. That said, with no hard facts to back up the rumormill, we'll have to keep waiting to see what the LF-LC shows up with.