You may never have heard of Alfred Vacheron, who, in 1894, replaced the then-standard tiller steering lever on his Panhard & Levassor automobile with a steering wheel during the Paris–Rouen race, writes Brian Byrne. Quickly adopted by all car builders afterwards, most of the time since then the wheel has been round, although occasionally flattened at the top, bottom, or both, or hexagonal in the case of current electric MG models. As a reliable and effective means of vehicle control, it has been proven to be safe. Last year, Lexus introduced a ‘yoke’ option on the RZ electric model. After some experience with it, I think they should revisit Henry Ford’s maxim, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
The yoke looks like control systems found in small aircraft or detachable units used in high-performance racing cars. It is butterfly-shaped rather than round, and Lexus has offered a number of reasons for the thing, thankfully available as an optional feature. They suggest it makes it easier for drivers to get in and out (valid enough, as the high floor of the RZ, like the bZ cousin from parent brand Toyota, does make that somewhat tricky for taller people). Also, you can see the instruments more easily (not really an issue with an appropriately aligned steering wheel and instrument cluster). Lexus also suggests that the smaller form factor could be useful in an autonomous car (not likely a realistic everyday driving for at least another decade, or until vehicles can navigate as adeptly as humans when negotiating crowded pedestrian pathways.
The most intriguing technical aspect is that, with the yoke, there is no steering column. The system operates via ‘drive-by-wire’ electronics, incorporating sensors, artificial feedback algorithms, and multiple electric motors. While I got used to the yoke during normal driving, I never did when trying to manoeuvre in tight spaces such as parking garages, missing the traditional wheel's ability to guide the vehicle into cramped spots comfortably.
That said, the remainder of the Lexus RZ is a standard electric SUV positioned within the premium segment. It is longer and wider, and slightly lower in height, compared to the bZ model, with which it shares a platform. Its styling is assertive yet non-intimidating. The front fascia features a distinctive grille shape that has evolved over recent generations within the Lexus stable, with a combination of pointy bits, edges, and softening sculpts. Strong shapes extend along the sides to a rear hipped-up design that adds a coupe sense. With black trim against the silver exterior of the review car, it actually all comes together very well, in my view, making it possibly the best-looking Lexus in some time.
Inside, all is — apart from the yoke — presence-full, large, and cohesive. The central display dominates the dashboard but is positioned low enough not to be too visually distracting. It has a mixture of virtual and physical controls for climate, audio volume, and access to other functions. Beneath it, the centre console widely separates the front occupants and neatly includes beverage holders, the transmission selector, an electronic parking brake, and an 'off' control for traction (which nobody in their right mind would ever use). The driver information display is straightforward and easily understood, although I would have liked it to be brighter than its maximum setting.
The RZ, given its segment designation as a mid-sized SUV, has enough accommodation for five occupants to merit that. It's a plush place too — the review car's suede-like trim material was suitably luxurious, and had enough width in the rear seats to seat three quite beefy adults comfortably. The wheelbase is the same as the related bZ; the additional length ups the luggage capacity to 522L. More than adequate for weekend trips.
The entry-level 350e delivers 224 horsepower, while the 380hp configuration in my review car went through two axles to provide all-wheel drive, with the rear motor being smaller than the front. A 100km/h sprint performance of a little over 4.5 seconds makes it evidently no slouch when that might be required. Doing that often, though, will significantly reduce range (as it would if doing the same thing in a combustion car). For paper comparison, the rated range is up to 457km; however, real-world conditions typically reduce this by approximately 15-20 per cent. All that said, though, the RZ is a highly capable, quiet, luxurious cruiser deserving of its prominent 'L’ emblem.
PRICE: From €66,280; review car €81,490. WHAT I LIKED: The yoke is optional.
