Content created in partnership with Lexus New Zealand
Stunning Otago, with its backdrop of snow capped mountains, vast expanses of muted terrain and crystal-coloured, icy lakes, is perhaps the most perfect – and perfectly pristine – setting in which to test drive electrified vehicles.
Arriving in Queenstown to experience the latest in electrification from industry leaders, Lexus, felt like an exercise in stealth wealth. The term popularised by Succession, meaning wealthy but not ostentatious, feels like the Lexus customer to a tee. Yet while our elegant accommodation at Gibbston Valley Winery definitely had shades of the incredible retreat in Norway that featured in Succession S4E5, the private jet flying, carbon monoxide burning, tone deaf Roy siblings would never think twice of their impact on the environment.
It’s this kind of awareness that fuels (if you excuse the pun) the Lexus owner, someone who values understated luxury, but not at an unfathomable cost to the environment.
Lexus is, of course, the luxury off-shoot of Japanese titans Toyota, arguably leaders in the sustainable motoring movement. Two Japanese principles lie at the heart of everything Lexus does.
Takumi, meaning artisan, is evident in every detail seen in each car you pass through. Lexus Takumi masters dedicate their lives to the perfection of an individual skill set and apply their highly trained senses to refining every last detail. Which is superbly evident from the seats and steering wheels that adjust to fit, to the trims and finishing touches like seats that fold at the push of a button.
The second principle is omotenashi, meaning to wholeheartedly look after guests. It represents the Japanese mindset of hospitality centred around care rather than expectation.
Omotenashi was in full effect on a crisp and clear morning when I gathered with an assortment of other media at Gibbston Valley Winery before hitting the road in the new Lexus RZ (battery electric vehicle) and RX (hybrid electric vehicle).
The wonderful team from Lexus did a wonderful job of explaining the impressive features and technology at play in these vehicles, but the one feature that really stood out to us all was ‘radiant leg warmers’ in the RZ Dynamic variant. And radiant they were, once we closed the door to the outside world (which, thanks to the clear roof top that can also be opaqued at the touch of a button, brought the best of the beautiful outside in, and left the cold out).
Any nerves I had about driving a vehicle that wasn’t my own (sadly!) on icy, mountainous roads were quickly allayed. It was like those natural hazards didn’t exist, the car took them so effortlessly.
The remote scene scapes of Cardrona, Wanaka and Lake Hāwea made for an incredibly scenic drive; not one I’d be brave enough to undertake in any old electric vehicle (CEO of Lexus NZ Neeraj Lala had mentioned at dinner the night before that the lack of connectivity on NZ roads inhibits Aotearoa from embracing all capabilities of electric vehicles, such as being able to find or plan your next charging point) but the RZ, with its range of approximately 470km, had absolutely no trouble at all despite the steep incline I was taking it on - and my blaring radiant heater. So cosy were my tootsies that by the time we parked up at Lake Hāwea for some sightseeing and rock skimming, I removed my shoes and thermal socks and waded into the crisp clear waters.
Lexus is accelerating its battery electric vehicle (BEV) development with a focus on optimising everything in the car for the battery electric powertrain. This means a streamlined vehicle that’s designed for peak efficiency. Lala pointed out to us that unlike a car that’s been designed by a tech company, the Lexus RZ is a car designed by a car company, that also happens to be electric.
At once ultra-stylish and exhilarating to drive, both the RZ and the RX are the automobile epitome of luxury, and in true Lexus style, they’re not ostentatious, instead built with artisanal craftsmanship at their heart.
But it’s the notion of omotenashi that really rings true with everything I’ve learnt about the brand. Personalised luxury is a cornerstone for Lexus, and each car is personalised in some way to the needs of the owner.
Plus, the cars come with full service warranties that are valid for four years and are even transferable if you on-sell the vehicle. A Lexus dealership will always welcome you in for a service and personal care. If this is the future of electric, I’m glad to be along for the ride.
Explore more about the models at lexus.co.nz
