Toyota and Lexus distributor UMW Toyota Motor could have dragged its ft in bringing electrical automobiles to Malaysia, but it surely seems like it would lastly accomplish that quickly – and it’s beginning with the premium Lexus model first.
On Instagram, the corporate teased the all-electric RZ at present – the automobile within the picture is distinguishable by the triple headlight modules beneath the L-shaped daytime operating lights. As but, it’s unclear which variant of the RZ – which is predicated on the identical e-TNGA platform because the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra – can be introduced into Malaysia.
The RZ is accessible in two variations. The front-wheel-drive RZ300e utilises a single electrical motor that produces 204 PS and 265 Nm of torque, and with a 71.4 kWh battery, it delivers a variety of as much as 480 km on the WLTP cycle.
Given its anticipated excessive positioning, nonetheless, it’s the all-wheel-drive RZ450e that’s extra prone to be offered right here. That mannequin provides a 109 PS/170 Nm rear motor for a complete output 313 PS, getting the automobile from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds. Given the additional energy, the utmost vary drops to 440 km with the identical 71.4 kWh battery. The RZ450e was previewed on the Toyota Past Zero showcase again in February.
Don’t count on the RZ to return low-cost – in Thailand, the RZ450e is priced between 3.87 million baht (RM496,800) and 4.19 million baht (RM537,900), though the continuing tax exemptions for CBU fully-imported EVs ought to carry the worth down fairly a bit.
Apart from the RZ, UMW Toyota additionally teased the arrival of Lexus’ smallest new automobile, the LBX. A non secular successor to the CT hatchback, it’s a B-segment SUV based mostly on the identical GA-B platform because the Toyota Yaris Cross (to not be confused with the ASEAN-market model, based mostly on Daihatsu’s DNGA). It is going to sit on the backside of Lexus’ native lineup, taking the place of the bigger (and now discontinued) UX.
Only one model is obtainable globally – a hybrid mannequin that utilises a 91 PS/120 Nm 1.5 litre naturally-aspirated three-cylinder engine and a 94 PS/185 Nm electrical motor for a complete system output of 131 PS. So outfitted, the LBX will get from zero to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds.
Once more, the LBX gained’t be low-cost, retailing at between 2.229 million baht (RM286,100) and a pair of.39 million baht (RM306,800) in Thailand. Not like the RZ, this automobile gained’t be eligible for any tax incentives; even so, it ought to at the least be barely cheaper than the ES sedan, which begins from RM320,888.
GALLERY: Lexus RZ450e at Toyota Past Zero
GALLERY: Lexus LBX at BIMS 2024
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