American philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson, once said, “It’s not the destination, but the journey that matters.” Looking at the parallels between the quote and what luxury automotive maker Lexus strives for, who would have thought a nugget of wisdom from the 19th century would be as compelling as it is today? After defying what many labelled as an impossible mission en route to establishing the brand in 1989, Lexus moves ahead with a new destination on the horizon — a vision of a sustainable global society. The Japanese maker has taken a path of electrification towards its goals in the form of the RZ 450e.

While Lexus has been a longtime leader in electric cars (it was the first luxury car maker to produce a hybrid in 2005), they bade their time with battery electric vehicles. After branching out into plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles, the pure BEV is Lexus’ next frontier in its path of electrification. The result is a well-thought-out car that harmonises luxury, comfort and craftsmanship with Lexus’ wealth of the electrification experience.

The Lexus RZ 450e’s design is distinctly Lexus, albeit with a twist. With a closed BEV Spindle Body replacing the signature spindle grille, the RZ 450E’s sleeker silhouette hints at its athletic nature while maintaining an air of luxury. Form meets function with contemporary aesthetics working hand in hand with optimised aerodynamics, writing a manuscript for a new design language for Lexus electric vehicles of the future.

An equally luxurious touch is afforded to the interior, as seen in the “Ultrasuede” seats. Underlying messages of sustainability are present in the mindful sourcing behind the premium upholstery and suede door trims. The airy and cavernous interior is further elevated with a Multi-Colour Ambient Illumination and Dynamic Sky Panorama Roof. Pick from one of 64 interior colours or enjoy natural light and views of the starry night sky through the all-glass roof going from opaque to transparent with a touch of a button.

The second-to-none driving experience is enhanced by the Lexus Tazuna concept which takes a human-centred philosophy to design. An intuitive steering wheel synchronises with the Head-Up Display, allowing the driver to access various functions naturally while focusing on the road.

• READ MORE: Lamborghini Unveils First Hybrid Sports Prototype: The SC63

The Lexus RZ 450e’s construction is based on the eTNGA platform for an enhanced fundamental performance. A lightweight and rigid body has its weight distribution optimised as the battery placement under the vehicle floor lowers the centre of gravity for greater stability. A high-efficiency charging system that accepts AC and DC charging allows for 10 to 80 percent fast charging within just half an hour. With a range of up to 440km, you may cruise along cross-country highways with a peace of mind.

Navigating the city becomes a breeze thanks to the Lexus Driving Signature, which achieves a predictable, linear response according to the driver’s intentions. Together with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and other state-of-the-art features, such as the all-wheel drive DIRECT4 system, new Lexus e-Axles and the Braking Posture Control, expect better handling, stability, optimised power consumption and a dynamic drive through even the most stressful road conditions.

A version of this article was first published on MEN’S FOLIO Singapore.

For more motoring reads, click here.