The Lexus RZ might receive a high-performance ‘F’ model that could allow it to rival vehicles including the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and the Kia EV6 GT.
It recently emerged that Lexus has filed to trademark the names ‘Lexus RZ F’ and ‘RZ F’ in Europe and Australia and this is our best indication yet that a performance-focused version is in the works. As is to be expected of patent filings like this, no details have been provided about the potential model that the firm model could launch but it’s not hard to imagine what the RZ F could be like.
The current flagship RZ450e features a 71.4 kWh battery pack, a 201 hp (150 kW) electric motor at the front and a 107 hp (80 kW) electric motor at the rear. While having 308 hp (230 kW) under your right foot is nothing to scoff at, it is significantly less than the 527 hp (393 kW) Tesla Model Y Performance, 641 hp (478 kW) Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and 577 hp (430 kW) Kia EV6 GT.
If Lexus makes the RZ F a legitimate rival to these three then it will have to ditch the standard model’s electric motors and replace them with more powerful ones. It would likely also need to fit the SUV with a larger battery pack to give it at least a respectable driving range given how much power it will have.
Read: Entry-Level 2024 Lexus RZ 300e Comes To US With FWD And 266-Mile Range
Drive notes that the RZ F could take some visual inspiration from the RZ450e F Sport Performance that was unveiled at January’s Tokyo Auto Salon and is the model in our lead image. That variant shares its mechanical parts with the regular RZ450e but benefits from a dramatically revised exterior design that looks more like you’d expect to see from an aftermarket tuner rather than Lexus. Among the key changes made include flared wheel arches, a more dramatic front end, and twin spoilers at the rear.
An RZ F could adopt similar design elements but we suspect it would probably look a little more restrained to broaden its appeal to a wider demographic.
