In some models, the normal steering wheel has been replaced with a ‘yoke’ like you’d find in an aeroplane, which is connected to sensors and a motor.Through a wire, these talk to another motor at the front wheels, so when the yoke is turned so do the wheels. Cleverly, the system adapts to speed and input, so, at low speeds, you can get full lock with one 200-degree turn of the wheel – with conventional steering wheels, the driver needs to cross their arms over and hand over hand to achieve the same lock.The steer-by-wire is also paired with ‘Interactive Manual Drive’ – a virtual manual gear-shifting system.
MOTORING Road Test First drive: Has Lexus reinvented the wheel with the new RZ electric SUV?
What’s under the bonnet?
By James Batchelor, PA Motoring Reporter
Lexus has ditched the previous RZ’s 71.4kWh battery for a larger 77kWh pack, boosting the range noticeably – the RZ 350e front-wheel drive model fitted with 18-inch wheels, for instance, can now travel 58 miles further than before at 353 miles. If you want the longest range possible from an RZ, this is the model to go for as the two other versions trade range for performance. The new RZ 500e and 550e have all-wheel drive and pack 376bhp and 402bhp respectively.They’re around three seconds quicker to 60mph than the 350e and have a higher top speed (112mph compared to the lesser model’s 99mph), but suffer between charges – the 500e manages a claimed 311 miles on 18-inch wheels and 283 miles with 20-inch wheels, and the 550e needs refilling at 280 miles. What’s it like to drive?
What is it?
It may look the same as the outgoing RZ at a quick glance, but this new one is comprehensively updated.
Virtually everything has been changed – from the battery and the power output to a brand new trim level and a fake ‘manual’ gearbox. Some models don’t even have a steering column – yes, really.
What’s new?
Go for the standard steering system and the RZ drives just like the previous version, albeit it’s slightly quieter with less wind noise, presumably thanks to the new sound insulation. It’s a very comfortable and refined driving experience overall;
Let’s start off with the steering. Lexus’s new steer-by-wire system is the type of tech we’ve heard about for a long time, but never really thought would appear on a car this side of the year 3000.
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Photo: Lamborghini Revuelto
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