LEXUS

First image of the interior of the brand's new electrified car is released

Toyota Motor Corporation yesterday set the date for the announcement of Lexus' first mass-produced electric car: the RZ 450e crossover, which shares a platform with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, will be released on April 20 this year. Along the way, a photo of the interior of the novelty was published, in which the characteristically shaped steering wheel was in the spotlight, replacing the usual round steering wheel.

It cannot be argued that this is an absolute innovation for Toyota, because the related bZ4X crossover is also equipped with a steering wheel, but only as an option for certain trim levels. It cannot be ruled out that in order to highlight the premium component of the Lexus electric car, the manufacturer considers it necessary to equip it with a steering wheel in all trim levels.

Tesla attracted a lot of attention by replacing the familiar steering wheel with a steering wheel on the flagship Model S and Model X models after last year's facelift. The problem was that the electric booster maintained a constant gear ratio and it was very inconvenient to intercept the steering wheel when manoeuvring. Toyota took this mistake from a competitor into account and therefore deprived the steering of its electric vehicles of a mechanical connection to the front wheels. This made it possible to perceive the progressive characteristic of the electric booster; in the sharpest mode, the steering wheel should only be turned 150 degrees for the wheels to move from one extreme position to another. When driving at high speed, the characteristic must change to ensure adequate safety.

How Lexus will differentiate itself in terms of power plant features is also not entirely clear. The Toyota bZ4X has versions with front-wheel drive (204 hp) and all-wheel drive (218 hp), both equipped with a 71.4 kWh traction battery. The power reserve should reach 450 km, and the developers paid special attention to battery life. According to them, after ten years of operation, it should lose only 10% of its original capacity.

Image source: Lexus