2023 Lexus RZ450e electric SUV coming soon, 3 new models within 18 months

Lexus Australia plans a series of electric vehicles and a wave of new models, including three yet-to-be-seen models joining a new market segment in the Toyota-owned luxury sector.

The Lexus line-up already offers hybrid power options on all models except the LX 4WD, but Lexus Australia CEO John Pappas told Australian media this week that more broadly. Hybrids and electric cars are coming, he said.

This will begin in May 2023 with the Lexus RZ450e, the brand’s first midsize SUV. Single-minded Electric Vehicle – The second electric vehicle in the Lexus lineup – the tire track of the UX300e small SUV based on the petrol-powered UX.

As reported by drive In October 2022, the Lexus UX300e’s range will be greatly improved, replacing the 54.4kWh battery with a 72.8kWh unit, increasing the range from the current 315km to 450km.

Pappas told the media that Lexus plans to launch three new models by the end of the year, in new market segments for the brand, before arriving in the first Australian showrooms by the middle of next year. bottom.

“[This year] Globally, we will be launching three fantastic new models in three new segments…they will land here in the next 18 months or so,” Pappas told the media.

Executives did not confirm the identities of these three vehicles, including whether they were petrol, hybrid, electric, or a mix of the three.

Lexus is set to unveil a new large SUV with three rows of seats called the TX later this year. It will be paired with his seven-seat stretched version of the Toyota Kluger, called the Grand Highlander (the regular Kluger is called the Highlander in the US).

However, it’s not clear if the Toyota Grand Highlander or Lexus TX will be built right-hand drive. Because they are manufactured in the USA with a focus on the North American market.

Both vehicle designs were previewed at Toyota’s December 2021 media briefing with a photo (above) showing the future Lexus lineup, which will include a range of electric vehicles.

The electric vehicles shown include successors to the LFA supercar and IS midsize sedan, as well as a large 3-row SUV, which could be positioned between the RX and the off-road capable LX SUV. There is a nature.

It remains to be seen if these vehicles will form the basis of the three new models, but the concept shown for 2021 appeared to be close to production.

However, reports from Japan indicate that the LFA’s successor won’t appear until nearly 2025, and will be launched with a V8 plug-in hybrid power.

Pappas said Lexus headquarters and its parent company, Toyota, will initially employ a variety of technologies to reduce emissions, before gradually rolling out a range of electric vehicles before going electric-only in 2035. I repeated my plan.

“We expect battery electric vehicles to take the lead, but this will definitely require a holistic approach to overcome challenges such as charging infrastructure and power supply,” Pappas said. said.

“Lexus will continue to develop its electrification technology portfolio with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric solutions to meet the diverse needs and expectations of our customers across Australia.”

“Our first [electric vehicle]the UX300e arrived just 15 months ago, and this year it will be equipped with a new battery, significantly increasing its range to around 440 kilometers,” said Pappas.

To date, Lexus reports 2.3 million hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles have been sold worldwide over the past 17 years, of which 37,000 were in Australia.

The majority of these vehicles are gas-electric hybrids, but the tally also includes the UX300e electric SUV and the NX450h+ plug-in hybrid SUV.

Pappas said hybrids will account for “nearly half” of the brand’s sales in 2022, a record level. said it aims to capture

Lexus has previously announced its intention to move to fully electric vehicles worldwide by 2035.