Electric car Lexus TZ presented: Large e-SUV with virtual gear shifting
Toyota's luxury brand Lexus makes a bid for the luxury segment with the TZ electric SUV. Technically, the large car remains somewhat uninspired in one respect.
(Image: Lexus)
All previous fleet consumption targets could be met by Toyota and its consolidated brand Lexus relatively easily. Toyota was even able to exit the costly pooling with Tesla. However, the medium-term COâ‚‚ targets cannot be met with hybrid drives alone. Even though the group continues to staunchly champion the cause of H2 drives in passenger cars, it is also perfectly clear at Toyota where the journey in terms of driving energy is heading: Without battery-electric drives in all segments, the fleet consumption targets cannot be achieved. Therefore, more and more electric cars are appearing in Toyota's and Lexus's range. The new Lexus TZ is intended to succeed in the luxury segment, but that is unlikely to be entirely easy.
Six individual seats
One might spontaneously assume that the Lexus TZ is a refined Toyota bZ4X Touring. However, the exterior dimensions alone refute this assumption, as the Lexus is considerably longer at 5.1 m. Six individual seats are accommodated, and there are even hooks for child seats in the third row. Lexus has not yet specified the trunk volume, stating instead that there is space for four 55-liter or two 92-liter suitcases even with the third seat row deployed. The glass roof extends over all seats and can be opened – unusual for an Asian electric car.
Lexus also claims unusual attention to detail in its care for the occupants. In “Rear Comfort” driving mode, they are supposed to experience less lateral head movement, which engineers have achieved through dynamic rear-axle steering and optimal brake force distribution between the front and rear axles, according to the press information. It may be just a theory, but the technician is probably frantically trying to reach the author of this certainly original interpretation of his actual intention.
Lexus TZ innen (8 Bilder)
Lexus
)“Dynamics of a combustion engine vehicle”
In Lexus's development department, there is a suspicion that a significant number of customers might miss the driving feel of a combustion engine. In “Interactive Manual Drive” mode, the feeling of a combustion engine with gear stages is therefore conveyed. Virtual gear changes of an imaginary eight-speed transmission are controlled by the driver's accelerator pedal input and speed. “Manual” is thus confusing in that there is no gear lever at all. This is accompanied, among other things, by an artificially generated sound that is reproduced via the speakers of the sound system. This creates an “intense, emotional driving experience” that is reminiscent of the “dynamics of a combustion engine vehicle” and a “fast-shifting transmission.”
Also interesting is an assistance system hidden in the so-called Eco-Run mode. This is intended to maximize range. For this purpose, it is assessed in five stages to what extent the vehicle ahead contributes to reducing air resistance. Thus, Lexus writes, the driver can see which vehicle they should follow for optimal slipstreaming.
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Still 400 Volt
There will be two powertrains and two traction batteries at the start of sales in 2027. The battery cells can be preconditioned to utilize maximum charging power even in winter. The system voltage remains 400 volts. Peak charging power is up to 150 kW. This is comparatively low, and the average charging power also promises no top position. Charging from 10 to 80 percent takes around 35 minutes, it is said. For the smaller battery with 77 kWh energy content, this means an average charging power of 108 kW in this range, while the larger battery with 95.5 kWh would charge at an average of 134 kW.
WLTP ranges are between 450 and 530 km; consumption figures are not yet available. As a reminder: WLTP consumption cannot be simply calculated from energy content and range – partly because it includes charging losses. Lexus's decision to install a 22 kW AC charger is commendable. This allows public AC charging infrastructure to be used more conveniently than with the common 11 kW chargers.
Lexus TZ auĂźen (4 Bilder)
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)Primary front-wheel drive in the base model
Lexus combines the base powertrain with both batteries; the top model only with the large one. Many competitors rely on primary rear-wheel drive for distributing drive power. In the TZ entry-level model, it's different. The front electric motor has an output of 167 kW, the rear one 88 kW. Together, they provide 230 kW, accelerating the E-SUV weighing more than 2.5 tons from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 (small battery) to 6.6 seconds. In the top model, the rear motor is also boosted to 167 kW, with a system output of 300 kW. In the standard sprint, the manufacturer promises 5.4 seconds for this model.
(mfz)