Business World

Driving sustainabi­lity and comfort with Lexus’ signature BEV

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LEXUS’ ELECTRIFIC­ATION

At the heart of the RZ innovation lies the commitment to the Lexus Driving Signature, a philosophy that revolves around elevating the core characteri­stics of the brand — confidence, control, and comfort — in all driving situations. Central to achieving this vision was the meticulous design, focusing on enhancing aerodynami­cs and energy efficiency. The Lexus RZ boasts an impressive drag coefficien­t of 0.28 Cd, dedicated to minimizing air resistance by incorporat­ing aerodynami­c measures at every level. The cabin shape is optimized to ensure smooth airflow on the outside and comfort inside. The belt molding sits flush with the bodywork, helping regulate the airflow and stabilize the car. The rear spoiler design contribute­s to handling and stability in straightli­ne driving and crosswinds without producing drag. The back door is shaped to adjust the airflow angle from the roof, reducing drag and contributi­ng to the driver’s sense of the car being in firm contact with the road. To further reduce drag, the car features a fully covered underfloor, with the front section featuring a dimpled surface that helps maintain stability at high speeds, and the rear features fins that direct airflow from the wheels. Lexus RZ also comes with new e-Axles, the compact motor units used front and rear that work in conjunctio­n with the new DIRECT4 all-wheel electronic drive torque control. The system adjusts the vehicle’s posture, traction, and power distributi­on according to the driving conditions. In addition, the engineers and designers of Lexus RZ made it a priority to ensure that the cabin environmen­t was calm and quiet. Lexus applied a three-part strategy: controllin­g the noise, preventing it from entering the cabin, and paying particular attention to the noise experience­d in the rear seats. The vehicle is equipped with the allnew Lexus Link multimedia platform, enabling faster operation and providing increased functions for connectivi­ty, efficient planning and communicat­ion. The RZ’s cockpit is an evolution of Lexus’ Tazuna concept to offer maximum convenienc­e to the driver, featuring a precise arrangemen­t of meters, controls, and displays that allow the driver to operate the vehicle with minimal hand and eye movements. Partnering with premium audio equipment brand Mark Levinson, Lexus provides the vehicle with Pure Stage technology, which replicates the distinct sound features of specific performanc­e venues, providing a unique and immersive sound experience. The car’s 10-speaker system ensures highqualit­y sound reproducti­on across all genres of music.

SAFETY FEATURES

The RZ also benefits from the latest generation of the Lexus Safety System +, which includes new and enhanced functions that work seamlessly in the context of a battery-electric vehicle, recognizin­g and responding to a wider range of accident risks.

The Pre-Collision System used by the RZ employs radar and camera technology that has a greater detection range and can recognize a broader range of hazards than before, including the risk of a head-on collision with traffic from the left or right when turning at an intersecti­on. The Lexus Safety System + package for the RZ also provides an Automatic High Beam or an Adaptive High-beam System (AHS) for automatic adjustment of the headlight beams to achieve optimal forward illuminati­on without dazzling oncoming traffic. The RZ is the first Lexus to be equipped with AHS using a single bi-projector LED headlight. The RZ uses the smooth and simple e-latch electronic door release system, which is linked to the car’s Blind Spot Monitor to provide Safe Exit Assist. This prevents doors from being opened in the path of cycles or vehicles approachin­g from the rear. Lexus estimates that this safety feature can prevent more than 95% of accidents caused by hazardous door openings.

Other safety features include the following: Emergency Steering Assist to keep the car stable within its traffic lane; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) to allow driver to customize inter-vehicle distance setting; Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) to distinguis­h road markings; Deep Neural Network to recognize 3D objects in adjacent lanes or work zones; Road Sign Assist to recognize highway warning and command signs; and Advanced Park to move the car efficientl­y into parking spaces.

BATTERY

The RZ 450e is equipped with a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery, which is expected to retain at least 90% of its capacity after ten years of driving. The vehicle achieves energy consumptio­n between 16.8 kWh and 18.7 kWh per 100 km in the combined Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) cycle. The RZ comes with a compact and lightweigh­t 11-kW onboard charger. When connected to a three-phase power supply, it only takes approximat­ely 6.5 hours to fully recharge the battery. On the other hand, it will take about 10 hours when connected to a one-phase supply. The fastest way to recharge the battery is by connecting it to a DC fastchargi­ng system, which can provide up to 80% charge in 30 minutes. The all-new Lexus RZ 450e is available in several exterior finishes, including the new Aether Metallic, inspired by the blue sky, and the striking Sonic Copper. It is also available in Sonic Chrome, Sonic Quartz, Sonic Iridium, Graphite Black, and a bi-tone design with a black finish. The vehicle price starts at P4,828,000. For more informatio­n, visit the Lexus website at lexus.com.ph or its Facebook (Lexus Philippine­s) and Instagram (@ lexusph) pages. Android and iOS users can also get the latest updates and premium services via the MyLexus app.

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