One of the outstanding features of the new Lexus RZ is the steer-by-wire electric steering system. The Lexus RZ is the first Lexus electric car to adopt the electric steering system as an alternative to traditional steering.
For information, the steer-by-wire system eliminates the mechanical connection between the steering wheel in the interior and the front wheels.
Instead of using a traditional steering column, the steer-by-wire system uses motors and actuators that are connected to each other via electrical signals.
When the steering wheel is turned, signals from the steering side are transmitted to the motor that operates the front wheel turning motion.
When the wheel faces a different road surface, the information is transmitted as an electrical signal and decoded by the motor on the steering wheel.
Completing this steer-by-wire system, Lexus gave the RZ a steering yoke design called the One-Motion Grip.
Lexus said there are several benefits that can be felt by the driver thanks to the steer-by-wire system. First, the Lexus RZ steer-by-wire system can reduce driver fatigue by reducing hand workload.
Lexus limits the lock-to-lock angle of the electric steering system to 150 degrees, so the driver doesn’t have to change hands when making turns, parking, or on winding roads.
Not only that, fatigue due to steering vibration is also reduced because this Lexus steering system can block excessive vibration from the wheels or brakes.
Then related to the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) feature, this electric steering system provides a smoother feel when Lane Tracing Assist is active.
But on the other hand, the absence of a mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels has the potential to provide a more artificial sense of driving.
Given that the steering wheel and wheels communicate via electrical signals, it can be quite difficult to feel how much the front wheel is turning.
Not to mention the driver has to adapt again to the limited lock-to-lock angle and unconventional steering wheel shape.