Lexus Trademarks the RZ 450e Nameplate in USA & Europe

[Will1991]

A just published trademark from Toyota, and it may be a hint to a whole new BEV!!!

Toyota published LBX trademark,
Source: https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/018284385

Maybe the final production name for the LF-1? It starts with a L (usual for top of the line Lexus), and ends with a X (usual for Lexus SUV's)

And even better:

Toyota published the RZ450e moniker, and I would take this into 2 different parts:
Source: https://euipo.europa.eu/eSearch/#details/trademarks/018286537
-> RZ
Maybe a new coupe-like sedan to replace the slow selling RC and the extinct (in Europe) IS?
Since RX350h has just been announced, this will not change name for the next generation and the LF-1.... Read above...

-> 450e
Suggests it's a Lexus, at least it's the usual Lexus naming. 450e may mean a 300hp BEV powertrain with around 300 miles / 450km WLTP. A perfect candidate for the TM3, Polestar 2, BMW i4

 

[Levi]

🤣

 

[wyvern]

I've had a quick look at the Australian trademark register as well and the following Lexus-related trademarks are newly registered in the last year or so:

• LX 500d (diesel LX here is currently badged as the LX 450d)
• LX 600
• NX 250
• NX 350
• NX 350h
• RZ 450e

 

[Levi]

600 must be v8. strange no ttv6 hybrid badge. RZ is interesting. it could also be coupe suv.

 

[meth.ix]

Another possibility for the RZ may be an RX-based coupe SUV

something that competes with the Mustang Mach-E maybe

 

[Gecko]

Another possibility for the RZ may be an RX-based coupe SUV

something that competes with the Mustang Mach-E maybe

This was my thought as well when chatting with @krew and @mikeavelli. We know "R" = midsize, like RC and RX. "RZ" makes me think of BR-Z but I won't complain about new Lexus product in competitive segments if that's what it turns out to be 🙂.

LBX is less committal to me because there is no number designation with it, like LQ when everyone went crazy over that. "LBX 500" or something similar would have given me more hope.

 

[Gecko]

One other thought though: didn't Koji Sato recently say Lexus would not grow outside of the current lineup? So that would kind of knock out an RX coupe... but also... things at Lexus seem to be changing a lot, as always.

 

[mikeavelli]

I would like to think a 4 door coupe I would want but I have a feeling it’s a 4 door suv thing I won’t want. And I hope new powertrains to go with the e system.

They need a product onslaught. Hopefully this is good.

 

[Levi]

I thought about it today. Audi TT and Z4 have no future. Mercedes reduces number of coupes. IS is no more in Europe, I expect RC to end. Only BMW keeps 2 Coupe based on 4 Coupe (not 1 hatch). Nissan comes with 400Z. Alpine A110 future is uncertain, factory might close, no Clio and Megane RS, no Megan even, only CUVs at Renault, at best Zoe RS. We know Honda trademarked CR-Z, which was a hybrid 'sports' car, makes more sense in current market.

Toyota brought the GR HV concept.

We know the new GR86 remains NA basic ICEV. Maybe there'll be an upgraded Lexus version with electrification to replace the RC with an entry level yet hightech electrified coupe/sportscar? The 86 paid off, with successful sales, the base is cheap, adding premium interior and electric tech on a cheap base can keep the overall price accessible/fair value.

RZ, sounds more sporty than cuvy. R like RC, Z like nissan Z, RZ like BRZ?

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

The second letter Z is certainly something new in Lexus nomenclature. Perhaps, as @meth.ix suggested, it's future Lexusspeak for a crossover coupe. I'll be more optimistic and go a half-step beyond @Will1991 's suggestion, though. Perhaps RZ 450e is a 4-door coupe (or 5-door hatchback) that will be Lexus' first dedicated BEV on the e-TNGA architecture. In other words, the rumored IS successor to rival the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and BMW i4.

In general trademark commentary, as of this writing neither LBX nor RZ 450e have been registered by Toyota USA. The only vaguely similar one here in the U.S. is BZ, registered as both BZ4X and Toyota BZ, so it obviously has nothing to do with Lexus. And I don't think LBX has anything to do with Lexus, either.

If it's any comfort, the LC F and LX 600 trademarks remain live, the latter bumped up the queue just below IS 500 (a sign of a recent renewal). Fingers crossed and prayers said that the Dynamic Force V8 might not be dead after all...

 

[ssun30]

Here's what the E-TNGA 'Sedan' looks like. It really is a hybrid of 4dr coupe/hatchback/raised wagon. Kind of like the C-HR but without the awkward proportions. Looks sleek and sporty. The 'sedan' is raised but that's a natural result of a thicker floor. However, sedans used to sit this high from the ground and they only became lower in the past decade because 'sportiness'. I remember the late 90s/early 00s sedans having 170-180mm of ground clearance whereas today they are only 130-150mm (similar to sports cars of the old days). I used to drive my 01 Bluebird and 09 ES350 on dirt road all the time my new ES gets nervous by some tall speed bumps. At the same time there are plenty of modern 'crossovers' with less than 180mm of ground clearance.

I hope this model is the basis for the RZe. The LF-30 concept also adopts this combination of many body styles, and I expect this to be the new norm for 'non-SUV'. Think about it, it's really the best of all worlds: the aerodynamic efficiency of sedan, style of coupe, practicality of wagon, and ground clearance of a crossover. This body style just makes the most sense for a BEV.


But the SUV version of the medium E-TNGA vehicle looks fine too. I don't like that super thick D-pillar though. But I guess any visibility issue is addressed by the digital mirror?

 

[TurboLag]

The LX600 Probably have the twin-turbo V6
LS460 V8 became the LS500 TTV6
Lx570 V8 --> LX600 TTV6
LX450d TTV8 --> LX500d New twin turbo diesel V6?

 

[Levi]

But that front overhang though...

 

[Will1991]

I hope this model is the basis for the RZe. The LF-30 concept also adopts this combination of many body styles, and I expect this to be the new norm for 'non-SUV'. Think about it, it's really the best of all worlds: the aerodynamic efficiency of sedan, style of coupe, practicality of wagon, and ground clearance of a crossover. This body style just makes the most sense for a BEV.

Just a bit offtopic, but if it wasn't this SUV craziness nowadays, we could be seeing the conventional sedan going the Tatra way to achieve even better aero efficiency:

Oh, wow, I didn't realize that LBX was registered as "Lexus LBX". Unless Lexus is going to start using 3-letter model names like Cadillac and Lincoln used to and Acura and Mercedes still do, I'm going to guess that LBX is an upcoming concept vehicle. @Will1991 's guess of a new infotainment system is a good one as well, although those trademark applications tend to be more specific than "Automobiles and structural parts thereof".

This one is a "more recent" trademark, the first one I published was just LBX.

 

[TurboLag]

So, in other words, you're suggesting that "600" is a higher-output version of the 3.5-liter "500" TTV6? Or perhaps a 4-liter TTV6 as opposed to the rumored 4-liter TTV8?

Not necessarily a higher output , I think the LX600 engine will be the same rumored TTV6 found in the next Tundra & Land Cruiser
If there is any TTV8 for the next LX it will Probably called the LX700

 

[Levi]

There has probably never been any TTV8. The TTV6 might truly be a flagship engine, otherwise they would make an I6. Also Maserati now comes with 600 PS V6.

 

[Joaquin Ruhi]

The RZ 450e trademark was filed in the U.S. on 7 August 2020 with serial number 90099987.

 

[Will1991]

The RZ 450e trademark was filed in the U.S. on 7 August 2020 with serial number 90099987.

Considering that it should be available to NA market, makes it a global BEV!
A SUV, a coupe-sedan or something between, I’m betting this is the first Toyota group car built in a BEV dedicated platform!
No more compliance cars such as the UX300e.
Good news, and it's a Lexus!

 

[Will1991]

@Joaquin Ruhi it makes sense to be a concept!
Usually, Lexus concepts are without the "powertrain suffix" (LF-30, LF-1, UX, LF-FC, etc...)!
Also giving they're tumored to no longer present the LC F at the LA show... They really need something else... Every single premium BEV is making waves.

 

[krew]

Lexus has registered the RZ 450e in the USA, Europe and Australia over the past two weeks, suggesting both a new model and a new powertrain could be on the way.
Of course, there is the matter of figuring out what exactly the RZ 450e nameplate could be — considering the current market, it’s a safe assumption this new model will be a crossover of some description. The engine is an even safer bet, as Lexus has adopted the letter e as their battery electric designation.
Key to this puzzle is the Z, as it essentially guarantees a new model. The R is also interesting, because...

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