The Lexus RZ family, which had previously consisted of just one dual-motor SUV named the 450e (see video), has now been complemented with a cheaper single-motor variant. Dubbed the 300e, it weighs less, has more range than its stronger sibling and costs only 7% less.
Specifically, the Lexus RZ 450e benefits from an electric all-wheel-drive system with a 204-PS (201-hp / 150-kW) motor at the front axle and a 109-PS (107-hp / 80-kW) one at the back. The newcomer only retains the front motor mentioned above, while the rear one goes away.
On the upside, the 71.4-kWh battery pack stays where it was, giving the simpler SUV EV up to 599 kilometers (403 miles) of WLTP-rated driving range. To put things into perspective, the AWD version only had 450 km (280 miles) on a full charge.
Lexus also claims that the suspension has been improved. New components at the rear end and tweaked shocks and springs at the front should make driving the 300e an easier and more comfortable experience. According to the company, the modifications were required to offset the different weight distribution.
The wheels are still available in two diameters – 18 and 20 inches.
Last but not least, both SUVs now benefit from a new battery pre-warming system that should cut the charging times in cold weather by approximately 20 percent.
The RZ 450e starts from roughly 8.8 million Japanese Yen ($60,000) on its domestic market. The new RZ 300e begins at 8.2 million JPY ($55,750), just 7 percent below the dual-motor version.