Lexus has just pulled the wraps of an all-new, battery powered SUV. The Lexus TZ is a three-row SUV that leads the company’s electric SUV line-up. According to reports, the model is under consideration for South African introduction. Past experience, and the recent introduction of another all-electric Lexus SUV lead us to believe that the TZ will go on sale locally.
Follow Double Apex on Instagram and Facebook where we share more car content.
Luxury First
The TZ has an appearance that we have come to associate with the brand. There is a new interpretation of the company’s ‘spindle grille’. There are also slim headlamps and aero-tuned wheels. The LED lighting signature continues at the rear. The new model is based on, what Lexus calls, a ‘Driving Lounge’ concept. As a result the emphasis is on occupant comfort first and foremost.
The cabin has been designed with maximum NVH isolation in mind. Lexus claims that this is the quietest SUV cabin in the world. The cabin also employs sustainable materials such as recycled metals and bamboo. The entire layout has been designed to be as calm and non-intrusive as possible. Some switches remain hidden until you need to need to use them… neat. It seems as though Lexus is already planning for a life of autonomous driving.
Battery Only
The Lexus TZ will not be offered in other other guise (read: petrol or hybrid) than with battery power. The large SUV – it’s over 5,1 metres long – is built on a dedicated electric platform. That means that designers have taken battery placement and the lack of a transmission tunnel into account from the get-go. As a result there is room for six seats that, according to the brand, can accommodate six adults ie the rear-most chairs aren’t just for little kids.
As expected, the Lexus TZ features all-wheel drive. This is a result of having two motors, one per axle. In conjunction the two motors deliver 300 kW of power. There is no combined system torque figure, but the two motors individually produce 267 N.m of twist effort. Lexus says the large SUV can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 5,4 seconds. Lexus press material says that the TZ has a range of up to 620 km on a fully charged battery. The on-board battery can also provide power to your house/campsite as and when needed.
Have your say
Got thoughts on this?
No feedback yet on All-new Lexus TZ is a Lounge on Wheels. Kick the conversation off.
Free. Email link only — no password.