RZ Yoke Still a Year Away
Lexus, renowned for its commitment to innovation, unveiled a ground-breaking yoke-style steering wheel during the debut of its electric marvel, the RZ450e. However, the eagerly anticipated steer-by-wire system is still waiting in the wings, taking its time to grace production vehicles.
Recently, we had the privilege of experiencing a refined version of this cutting-edge steering system at a thrilling event hosted by Lexus at the iconic Fuji Speedway. While we were impressed, our discerning eye detected room for improvement in its low-speed responsiveness. But fret not, as Lexus has set its sights on perfecting this steer-by-wire marvel by next year.
In a world where Tesla turned heads by introducing a yoke steering wheel in the Model S and X back in 2021, Lexus followed suit with the RZ450e. However, despite the RZ being available for around a year now, the coveted yoke remains elusive.
The reason for this delay lies in Lexus's unyielding pursuit of perfection. Unlike Tesla's approach, which retained the steering hardware, Lexus went the extra mile, reworking the steering travel to eliminate the need for awkward hand-over-hand manoeuvres.
Our first encounter with this unique steering system in an RZ prototype left us grappling with its low-speed tuning. However, that was over a year ago, and the dedicated engineers at Lexus have since made significant refinements to the steer-by-wire setup. The latest iteration allows the steering wheel to turn more freely, spanning 200 degrees in each direction, up from the initial 150 degrees. We had the privilege of testing this latest version first-hand during the Lexus event at Fuji Speedway.
The yoke itself is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, bearing little resemblance to its circular predecessor. Its wiper and turn-signal controls, along with the tactile paddles, are more compact, and the front of the yoke boasts convenient adjustment knobs for volume, lighting, and wiper settings. Remarkably, these knobs offer a satisfying tactile experience. To ensure seamless operation without a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the front tires, Lexus has implemented a host of redundancies, including an auxiliary battery beneath the centre console, ensuring uninterrupted steering power even if the primary battery runs flat.
Transitioning to the new 200-degree steering limit can be accomplished with both hands securely on the yoke. Moreover, at modest speeds, the highly adaptable ratio of the steer-by-wire system feels instinctive and easy to adapt to. It truly shines when navigating low-speed manoeuvres, as it eliminates the need for excessive wheel turning. However, in the realm of minute adjustments at very low speeds, such as meandering through a parking lot at 5 to 10 mph, the front tires exhibit an eagerness to respond promptly. Our feedback to the accompanying engineer seemed to resonate, suggesting that improvements are on the horizon.
When asked about the timeline, Lexus engineers shared their optimism about completing development sometime in the coming year. Presumably, production will follow closely on the heels of this achievement, although specifics remain fluid. Lexus has hinted at introducing the yoke to other models in the future, but the exact line-up remains a well-guarded secret.
In conclusion, Lexus is on a journey to redefine the steering experience, and the yoke-style system is an embodiment of this vision. Stay tuned as we eagerly anticipate the arrival of this ground-breaking technology in the world of Lexus vehicles.
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