{"id":81128,"date":"2025-03-12T12:04:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T16:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=81128"},"modified":"2025-03-12T12:04:09","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T16:04:09","slug":"1145969_2026-lexus-rz-price","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=81128","title":{"rendered":"2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport adds power, simulated gear shifts"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><strong>Lexus has updated its RZ electric compact crossover for the 2026 model year<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Among the updates is a new RZ 550e F Sport flagship, which is rated at 402 hp<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>The F Sport model also introduces a system that simulates gear shifts<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Toyota on Wednesday introduced several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1145961_toyota-expands-ev-lineup-with-new-c-hr-updated-bz4x-lexus-rz\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">new and updated electric vehicles<\/a>, including an expanded Lexus RZ electric compact crossover lineup featuring a new RZ 550e F Sport flagship.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The updated RZ<\/strong> will arrive in the U.S. later this year as a 2026 model, with market-specific details to be announced closer to the start of sales.<\/p>\n<p><span id=\"static-marker-video-player-primis\"\/><\/p>\n<p>At the global reveal, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, Lexus said that the RZ 550e F Sport packs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system <strong>rated at 402 hp<\/strong>, nearly 100 hp more than the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1145040_2025-lexus-rz-price\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">current RZ lineup\u2019<\/a>s top output. Lexus also said it fine-tuned the damper and spring settings to accommodate the extra power.<\/p>\n<p>The RZ 550e F Sport also introduces simulated gear shifts designed to enhance driver engagement. Lexus calls this system <strong>Interactive Manual Drive<\/strong>, and said it enables the driver to shift up and down through a virtual 8-speed transmission using paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. Toyota previously demonstrated a system that included a gear lever and clutch pedal, though that setup has not been implemented here.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper first_wrapper\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100963107_m\" title=\"2026 Lexus RZ\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2026 Lexus RZ\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"first_image lazy\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/lexus_100963107_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/lexus_100963107_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/lexus_100963107_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/lexus_100963107_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/lexus_100963107_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/lexus_100963107_s.webp\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2026 Lexus RZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Interactive Manual Drive functions similarly to <strong>Hyundai\u2019s e-Shift system<\/strong> in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1142881_2025-hyundai-ioniq-5-n-test-drive-review\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">rival Ioniq 5 N<\/a>, using real-time generated feedback through the accelerator and engine sound simulation to mimic gear changes in a gas-powered car. The system even features a simulated rev limiter and shift light indicator in the digital gauge cluster, allowing for realistic, satisfying shifts.<\/p>\n<p>The RZ 550e F Sport stands out from the rest of the updated RZ range with a unique front fascia featuring additional air intakes and a spoiler. The 20-inch aero wheels, exclusive to this model, are also designed to reduce weight and improve aerodynamic efficiency, according to Lexus. Inside, F Sport-specific details include a black and dark gray trim combination with blue accent stitching, an F Sport-branded steering wheel, and aluminum pedals.<\/p>\n<p>Other models in <strong>the 2026 RZ lineup<\/strong> have also received updates. A new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.motorauthority.com\/news\/1135732_lexus-yoke-and-steer-by-wire-system-paves-the-way-to-the-future\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">steer-by-wire system<\/a> is now standard across the range, making the RZ the first Lexus model to feature this technology. Lexus stated that the system provides a more refined steering experience, allowing for the yoke-style steering wheel, which can be fully controlled with just one hand if needed. The system is speed-sensitive and operates within a range of approximately 200 degrees from neutral to full left or right lock.<\/p>\n<div class=\"image_wrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" name=\"tccimg_100963106_m\" title=\"2026 Lexus RZ\" src=\"data:image\/png;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAD\/ACwAAAAAAQABAAACADs=\" alt=\"2026 Lexus RZ\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"768\" data-url=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/lexus_100963106_l.webp\" data-src-h=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/hug\/lexus_100963106_h.webp\" data-src=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/lexus_100963106_l.webp\" data-src-l=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/lexus_100963106_l.webp\" data-src-m=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/med\/lexus_100963106_m.webp\" data-src-s=\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/sml\/lexus_100963106_s.webp\" class=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>2026 Lexus RZ<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>To further enhance handling, Lexus has also refined the torque distribution of the <strong>DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system<\/strong>. When entering a corner, more power is directed to the front axle for a smooth and controlled turn-in. Upon exiting, torque is allocated based on the load on each wheel to ensure stability and balanced acceleration. Additionally, during takeoff and straight-line acceleration, the system adjusts torque distribution between the front and rear axles to help reduce vehicle pitch.<\/p>\n<p>All RZ models also receive a <strong>slightly larger 77-kwh battery<\/strong>, which will help increase range, though no estimates have been published. Charging performance has also been enhanced, thanks in part to a new battery pre-conditioning function that optimizes battery temperature in cold weather. Additionally, a 22-kw AC onboard charger replaces the standard 6.6-kw charger, further improving charging efficiency.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lexus has updated its RZ electric compact crossover for the 2026 model year Among the updates is a new RZ 550e F Sport flagship, which is rated at 402 hp The F Sport model also introduces a system that simulates gear shifts Toyota on Wednesday introduced several new and updated electric vehicles, including an expanded [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-81128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-cars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81128","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=81128"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81128\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=81128"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=81128"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=81128"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}