Lexus Trademarks RZ 450e, Could Signal New EV SUV
Many trademarked model names never come to fruition, but this one seems like it has a good chance.
Solid Shot?
Trademarks get filed every day, and it's basically a tossup if any of them actually become reality. This is especially true in the world of automotive model names, which sometimes see use on actual vehicles and other times simply disappear into the void, never to be heard from again. But a recent filing from Lexus for the model name RZ 450e seems like it has a good shot at landing on a future EV SUV.
Photos: Lexus
Joining the Fray
Lexus filed this trademark not in just one country or region, but three of them - the U.S., Europe, and Australia. The name RZ 450e also follows suit with the rest of the automaker's naming strategy, which suggests that it could be an all-new model that could be joining what promises to be a growing lineup of all-electric vehicles from Lexus.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about what this new vehicle could be right here in ClubLexus.com.
Work to Do
Right now, the UX 300e is the only purely electric Lexus vehicle out there, and it's only on sale in Europe, Japan, and China at the moment. But Lexus' goal is to sell a hybrid or EV version of every vehicle in its lineup by 2025, which means that the automaker has some work to do.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about what this new vehicle could be right here in ClubLexus.com.
Hot New Trend
Lexus also recently showed off its LF-30 Concept (pictured), which is perhaps a bit too futuristic to make it to production as-is. But more importantly, it's an EV SUV with electric motors at all four wheels, which is the hot new trend these days.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about what this new vehicle could be right here in ClubLexus.com.
Knowns and Unknowns
The letter "R" is already a big part of the Lexus lineup, as it currently sells the RC and RX, which are a coupe and a crossover (get it?). The Z, meanwhile, isn't currently in use at all, so that bit remains a mystery. However, the "e" at the end of 450e means that it'll be an electric vehicle of some sort, that we know for sure.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about what this new vehicle could be right here in ClubLexus.com.
Pure Speculation
Maybe Lexus will look to add a new body style to its lineup with the "Z" nomenclature, something like a crossover sedan or hatchback, perhaps? At this point, it's pure speculation, but interesting speculation nonetheless.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about what this new vehicle could be right here in ClubLexus.com.
Electric Avenue
The only thing we know for sure is that Lexus isn't done rolling out new all-electric models. In fact, it has only just begun. The automaker will be adding at least a couple of new EVs to its lineup over the coming years, we're just waiting to see what, exactly, they might consist of.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about what this new vehicle could be right here in ClubLexus.com.
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