If you have trouble reading this message, view it in a browser. Lotus shows a sketch of one future EV, Jaguar plans to build its own EV platform, and Polestar goes drifting around a frozen lake. But first: This week Lexus revealed the entire exterior design of its upcoming RZ 450e crossover, due to arrive on sale later this year. The model was first glimpsed just a little over a month ago, when Toyota revealed an extended cast of battery electric concepts, with the RZ 450e being one of the few near-production designs unveiled. Viewed from the side, it shares a general profile with the bZ4X, but not to the degree where it's extremely obvious. So the bZ4X/Solterra/450e trio won't be quite as transparently badge-engineered as, say, the Jimmy/Blazer/Bravada trio of the 1990s. The RZ 450e will be Lexus' first electric crossover to make it stateside, but the company has already offered one other EV model elsewhere. The interior of the Lexus model is still a bit of a mystery, but taking a look at the cabin of its Toyota sibling is helpful when it comes to the general layout. It's clear that Lexus will have to offer an interior that will appeal to repeat buyers of the marque, including those who could be switching to an EV from the RX model. If there is one thing neither the Lexus nor the Toyota model may offer in abundance, judging by their profiles, it's cargo space out back, with both adopting a rakish rear hatch. The concept of battery swap stations is seeing a surprise resurgence, but only in China for now. Speaking of power, the concept of battery swap stations for EVs is seeing a surprise resurgence of interest from at least a couple of companies. Even before battery manufacturer CATL announced last month that it would enter the field of battery swap stations with its Choco-SEB format, which it promises to be compatible with about 80% of EVs currently on sale, automaker Nio has already built hundreds of battery swap stations for its models in China. It's only been a few weeks since GM took the wraps off the Chevrolet Silverado EV, slated to become the brand's first electric pickup and the second for General Motors after the GMC Hummer SUT. But the battery-electric truck, scheduled to arrive next year, has already racked up over 110,000 reservations, the automaker reported this week. This includes orders from more than 240 fleet operators alone.
Lotus has no shortage of planned models on the drawing board, both gasoline and electric, and it has just shared a very rough sketch of its first electric sports car. Slated to arrive in 2026, the as-yet-unnamed model, codenamed Type 135, could well be a successor to the Esprit. Here's what we can expect from Lotus in the coming years when it comes to electric vehicles.
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Friday, February 4, 2022
Lexus EV crossover will be here soon
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