The RZ450e will be the first electric model to wear the Lexus logo
Trademark filings show an RZ300e version is in the works
No details have been revealed yet, but this model is expected to be less powerful than the RZ450e
Toyota filed a trademark with the European Intellectual Property Office yesterday that shows it is working on another version of the first electric Lexus model.
In the last couple of months, Lexus revealed the RZ450e, an electric crossover that will be its very first electric vehicle once it arrives in 2023.
This model is powered by a dual motor setup that delivers 308 horsepower, which is 93 more than the most powerful version of the Toyota BZ4X, on which it is based.
The name that was trademarked yesterday is RZ300e. Following the usual Lexus nomenclature, this means that this model should be less powerful and more affordable than the RZ450e.
Lexus has not revealed anything about this version yet so we don’t know what the changes will be between this model and the more expensive one, although there are two likely options.
Indeed, the RZ300e could be equipped with the same powertrain as the AWD BZ4X, without the added power of the RZ450e, which would give it about 214 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque.
The other possibility is that it could be powered by the entry-level, front-wheel drive only single motor variant found in the base model BZ4X. This setup produces 201 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque.
While this version would not be equipped with all-wheel drive unlike most of the current Lexus SUVs, a single motor RZ300e could have a significantly longer range than the 225 miles (362 kilometres) offered by the RZ450e.
Lexus has yet to say if this model will be coming to North America or if it will be a Europe-only version where horsepower is not as important to buyers and where all-wheel drive might not be needed as much.
