Lexus Unveils Ultra-Sporty RZ 600e F-Sport, But Will It Make It Out of Japan?
The new RZ 600e F Sport Performance pairs concept-car looks with real mechanical upgrades, but global availability remains uncertain.
A Surprise Addition
Just two years after launching its first dedicated battery-electric vehicle, Lexus has expanded the RZ lineup again, this time with a new performance flagship aimed squarely at the Japanese market. The RZ 600e F Sport Performance sits at the top of the range, combining aggressive bodywork with meaningful power and chassis upgrades rather than cosmetic tweaks alone. While the refreshed RZ has already appeared in Europe and North America, this most potent version is currently exclusive to Japan.
Concept-Car Looks, Made Real
Visually, the 600e F Sport Performance borrows heavily from the limited-run RZ 450e F Sport Performance introduced in 2024, which itself traced its design back to the 2023 RZ Sport Concept. The result is an EV SUV that looks far removed from the standard RZ.
Carbon fiber elements dominate the exterior, including a vented hood, front splitter, flared fenders with integrated aero fins, sculpted side skirts, a pronounced rear diffuser, and a two-piece rear wing designed to generate real downforce. Lexus also fits large arch moldings and dedicated spoilers at the front, sides, and rear, giving the SUV a far more purposeful stance than its siblings.
Lower, Wider, More Focused
Beyond the visual drama, Lexus has altered the RZ’s proportions to improve performance. Ride height is lowered by 20 mm (0.8 inches) compared to the RZ 550e F Sport, contributing to reduced aerodynamic drag and sharper handling. Overall height now measures 1,615 mm.
The SUV rides on 21-inch matte black Enkei alloy wheels, behind which sits a significantly upgraded braking system. Large 20-inch rotors are clamped by six-piston aluminum monoblock calipers at the front, finished in blue and clearly visible through the wheels.
420 Horsepower, Dual-Motor Setup
The headline figure is power. Lexus has reworked the dual-motor all-wheel-drive system to deliver a combined 420 hp (313 kW), making this the most powerful RZ to date. Each axle is powered by an electric motor rated at 224 hp and 268 Nm of torque.
That output allows the RZ 600e F Sport Performance to sprint from 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds, comfortably ahead of other RZ variants and even its Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra relatives, despite sharing a common platform. Energy comes from a 76.96 kWh (commonly rounded to 77 kWh) battery, with Lexus quoting a driving range of up to 525 km (326 miles) on a full charge.
Steer-by-Wire and a Yoke
Inside, the most controversial feature remains: a yoke-style steering wheel connected to Lexus’s steer-by-wire system. Unlike conventional setups, there’s no physical connection between the wheel and the front wheels, allowing for variable steering ratios depending on speed.
The system is paired with Lexus’s “Interactive Manual Drive,” a software-based feature designed to give drivers a more involved, simulated gear-shift experience, an unusual approach in a performance-focused EV.
Subtle but Purposeful Interior Changes
Interior updates are restrained but deliberate. The cabin features Ultrasuede sport seats finished in black with blue stitching, along with blue accents across the dashboard and trim. The overall layout remains familiar to RZ owners, but the materials and detailing signal that this is the performance-oriented version.
Developed With Racing Input
Lexus says development of the RZ 600e F Sport Performance involved input from two notable figures: Yoshihide Muroya, a Red Bull Air Race World Championship pilot and Lexus Pathfinder Air Racing team member, and Masahiro Sasaki, a veteran racer in Japan’s Super Taikyu series who has also competed in the Nürburgring 24 Hours with Toyota Gazoo Racing. Their feedback reportedly influenced steering feel, braking performance, and overall vehicle dynamics.
Colors, Pricing, and Availability
Buyers in Japan can choose between two color schemes: Black with Neutrino Gray, or Black with Hakugin II finished in matte clear. Both feature exposed carbon fiber elements and blue accent detailing.
Sales begin in Japan on March 2, 2026. Pricing starts at ¥12,165,000 (about $78,100) for the Black/Neutrino Gray version and rises to ¥12,440,000 (roughly $79,900) for the Hakugin II finish. Unlike the 2024 RZ 450e F Sport Performance, which was limited to just 100 units, the new 600e will not have a production cap.
For now, Lexus has not confirmed whether this flagship RZ will be offered outside Japan, leaving international buyers watching from the sidelines.