2026 Lexus RZ to get added range, yoked steer-by-wire in midcycle update
Brand officials discussed the midcycle updates here as part of a briefing for European journalists on improvements to the model as it is sold in the region. However, similar actions are expected for models of the Japan-built EV destined to be sold in the U.S. as well, though the timing is expected to lag that of Europe.
The 2026 Lexus RZ will feature a 77-kilowatt-hour battery pack, up from the current version's 71.4 kWh, that brand officials said would be good for up to an additional 100 km, or about 62 miles of range, depending on the trim model and 'final homologation.' Those figures could differ in U.S. versions, however. The top EPA-estimated range for the front-wheel-drive RZ is 262 miles.
Sign up for our daily First Shift morning newscast email for a quick video to start your day.
Lexus officials said new battery preconditioning software would improve charging times to 30 minutes, an improvement of 25 minutes for charging without the software, which puts the battery pack in the optimal condition to accept power.
Inside the cabin, the upper trim levels, including a new F-Sport performance trim, feature a steer-by-wire system that replaces traditional mechanical linkages with electronic inputs that can vary based on speed and driver intent. Vehicles with steer-by-wire feature a yoke instead of a traditional steering wheel, with the yoke employing a limited range of motion to convey driver intent to the vehicle.
Lexus introduced the RZ into its U.S. lineup in 2022 as a 2023 model. The brand sold 9,697 RZs in the U.S. in 2024, up 80 percent from the previous year.
Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Japan proposes 'economic zone' linking Indian Ocean to Africa, seeks greater role in the region
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday proposed an economic zone connecting the Indian Ocean to Africa as the country seeks to play a greater role in the African continent while America's presence there decreases and China's influence rapidly grows. Ishiba, kicking off the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), pledged to strengthen business and investment in the region and promote free trade by connecting the Indian Ocean region to the African continent. 'Japan believes in Africa's future," Ishiba said. "Japan backs the concept of African Continental Free Trade Area," which aims to bolster the region's competitiveness. This year's summit comes as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff war and drastic cuts in foreign-aid programs have negatively affected development projects in Africa. Meanwhile, China has been expanding its foothold in the area since 2000 through infrastructure building and loan projects. The three-day summit in Yokohama, near Tokyo, is focusing on the economy as well as peace and stability, health, climate change and education. Leaders and representatives from about 50 countries from the African continent, as well as officials from international organizations, are attending. Japan launched TICAD in 1993. It was last held in Tunisia in 2022. 'Africa must have a stronger voice in shaping the decisions that affect its future,' United Nation's Secretary-General António Guterres, said at the event, adding that African nations are underrepresented in the international community and its decision-making process. Under the Indian Ocean Africa economic zone initiative, Japan aims to bring investment into Africa from Japanese companies operating in India and the Middle East. Ishiba said Japan will extend loans of up to $5.5 billion in coordination with African Development Bank to promote Africa's sustainable development to address their debt problems. He also said Japan aims to provide support to train 30,000 artificial intelligence experts over the next three years to promote digitalization and create jobs. Guterres said 'unjust and unfair international financial architecture" must enhance African representation and endorse a strong African voice in the decision-making process, adding that building AI capacity in developing countries in Africa would help ease digital divide in the region. Those present at the summit are expected to adopt a 'Yokohama declaration' Friday and Ishiba will announce the outcome at a news conference. ___ Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo. AP writer Reeno Hashimoto in Tokyo contributed to this report. Ayaka Mcgill And Mari Yamaguchi, The Associated Press Sign in to access your portfolio
Washington Post
17 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Japan proposes 'economic zone' linking Indian Ocean to Africa, seeks greater role in the region
YOKOHAMA, Japan — Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday proposed an economic zone connecting the Indian Ocean to Africa as the country seeks to play a greater role in the African continent while America's presence there decreases and China's influence rapidly grows. Ishiba, kicking off the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), pledged to strengthen business and investment in the region and promote free trade by connecting the Indian Ocean region to the African continent.
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US tariffs on Chinese graphite spark opportunity for India's Epsilon
(Fixes typo in paragraph 6 in word "Carolina." No other changes to text.) By Aditi Shah NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's Epsilon Advanced Materials is moving swiftly to close deals to supply critical components to Japanese and South Korean battery makers in the U.S., a top executive said, after Washington imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese imports. The U.S. in July imposed a punitive 93.5% tariff on import of graphite anode materials from China, creating an opportunity for India's Epsilon to break Beijing's monopoly on supplies of the key battery component. Indeed, U.S.-based battery makers are eager to secure alternative suppliers as the higher levies disrupt supply chains and stoke uncertainty, including over future price rises. Vikram Handa, managing director of Epsilon, which makes graphite anode materials for EV batteries, expressed confidence over some new supply deals. "Last month, they were saying let's wait and see how things go. Now we think in the next 60 to 80 days, we will close our contracts," said Handa. Epsilon, which announced plans for a $650 million factory in North Carolina in October 2023, has been working on getting permits and environmental clearances, while waiting for firm orders before putting a shovel in the ground. "The numbers now start making sense for customers to buy from the U.S.," said Handa, adding that the plant, which will have capacity of 30,000 tonnes of anode materials, is expected to be up and running by mid-2027. An EV battery is made up of four components - anode, cathode, electrolyser and separator. The anode contributes to fast-charging and vehicle range. The U.S. needs 500,000 tonnes of anode materials a year for its EV and energy storage battery needs, which were met largely by China, which refines over 90% of the world's graphite into the material used in almost all EV battery anodes. Mumbai-based Epsilon also has plans to invest over $1.1 billion in a 100,000-tonne anode materials facility in India's Karnataka state, but has yet to see serious interest in India. Handa said low Chinese prices were a draw for Indian companies, but he was trying to persuade them to buy at least 20% from Epsilon, so that "if China closes the tap," they had an alternative supplier. "If it is zero (demand for Epsilon's anodes) right now, how will I put up a plant?" he asked. "I hope this rare earth story doesn't play out the same way for battery materials," given Indian companies dependence on them, he said. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
