Toyota and Lexus have made electric cars before, but Toyota bZ4x and Lexus RZ are their first cars on the new dedicated TNGA electronics architecture.
With Toyota as a mass-market brand and Lexus as the automaker’s luxury brand targeting the German trio of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, the two vehicles have significantly different positions. on the market.
The bZ4x almost indistinguishable from related things Subaru Solterrabut more effort is needed in styling the RZ in the right way to differentiate it from its more affordable counterpart.
Exterior – front
Powered by an electric motor, the bZ4X requires significantly less cooling than the internal combustion engine version, and as a result, this has allowed Toyota to remove the front grille and replace it with a front bumper design. a uniform piece.
Toyota calls this ‘the hammerhead shape that defines the brand, is smart and avoids unnecessary decoration’, and it focuses on slim headlights, with horizontally oriented LEDs connected by a chrome strip.
This also helps to visually expand the vehicle and attract the attention of outsiders by the use of matte black plastic used to cover the front wheel arches of the bZ4X.
Although matte black plastic wheel arches are now common in SUVs and have the further purpose of protecting the rest of the body from scratches and debris, Toyota has taken the idea. take it a step further and try to enhance the bZ4X’s solid image by extending them to the front wings, just below the headlights.
More recently, Lexus models have been defined by the brand’s iconic hourglass grille, and in order to maintain the distinct identity of the brand, Lexus has had the challenging task of retaining the iconic model. -This design tip on a car that doesn’t need a front grille.
Instead, the RZ uses a combination of contours radiating from the bonnet and contrasting paint options, to mark the ‘closed’ interpretation of the spindle grille. Lexus calls this the first example of a ‘Next Chapter’ design language, emphasizing the ‘seamless E-motion’ of the electric powertrain underneath and transforming the spindle grille into a three-way ‘spindle body’. afternoon.
This means that for the front end, Lexus has added strong curves to the bonnet of the car, centered in an hourglass shape at the front of the car. This is also distinguished by blackening the areas below the headlights to create a pivot shape, or optionally leaving these areas in body color but painting the bonnet and hourglass shapes on the face. front with black to give the same spindle effect.
Exterior – side view
While the side profiles of both cars are essentially the same, the difference remains in the details.
Lexus, perhaps remaining consistent with the design themes established with sibling models such as the larger RX and NXadopted a contrasting floating roof design, with the availability of a black roof and the A, B, C and D pillars always painted in black, in order to visually lower the vehicle and create a more polished appearance. .
Aside from the two strong signature lines above the door handles, including an upside-down line that mimics the Lexus RX towards the rear door edge, the rest of the side panels remain relatively smooth and conventional, perhaps a Small start for Lexus also has such models as UX in its portfolio there are a variety of body lines.
In an attempt that is supposed to reflect its firmer aspirations, the bZ4X features a semi-floating roof design, with a much stronger D-pillar and stronger signature lines along the side panels to complement the use more panels around the wheel arches.
In particular, the use of three distinct lines, including an upward line on the rear wheel arches, gives a more rigid feel than the smooth and sleek approach favored by RZ.
Exterior – rear
Both the bZ4X and the RZ have full-width light bars, but there are still notable differences in the handling of the rear end of both cars.
The BZ4x has a more blocky design with an emphasis on the vertical axis through the use of a diagonal black plastic piece. This extends from the bottom taillights to the rear 3/4 of the vehicle. There is also a large rear bumper in matte black plastic.
In contrast, the Lexus RZ has a much more ‘coupe SUV’ shape with slender taillights and an integrated ducktail rear spoiler that is almost like BMW X4 especially, while also drawing the word X6.
The rear bumper is glossy rather than matte black, the overall design emphasizing the horizontal axis much more than the sturdier bZ4X design.
Interior design
Lexus must distinguish its models from its Toyota cousins through a more luxurious, upscale interior, and the RZ is no exception, evident in the design and materials used.
The prestigious brand has recently attempted to further distance itself from its partner Toyota, as well as its European rivals, through the use of what Lexus calls the Tazuna cockpit. This is said to emulate the closeness of a horse and its rider, and so the RZ’s interior is more driver-focused than its bZ4X counterpart.
This is evidenced by the larger infotainment screen tilted towards the driver, the instrument cluster conveniently positioned behind (not above) the steering wheel and the sportier dashboard design surrounding it. driver while providing the front passenger with adequate comfort. .
Materials also benefit from an upgrade over the bZ4X, as demonstrated by the absence of piano black plastic along the center console, and more upmarket door and steering wheel trim.
In contrast, the bZ4X has a much simpler design, with a smaller infotainment screen that is not skewed towards the driver.
Notably, both the RZ and bZ4x offer the option of steering shackles.
THAN: Everything Toyota bZ4x
