The Toyota bZ4X has a Lexus counterpart on the way known as the RZ 450e. It combines the shape of the Toyota with the design and details of a next-generation Lexus RX. In the same way the bZ4X appears to be a squashed RAV4, so does the RZ compared to an RX. Today, Lexus released a single photo revealing the car’s interior for the first time. As you can see, the RZ will come with a yolk-style steering wheel, though we don’t know for sure if it will be standard. It will be drive-by-wire like the steering wheel Toyota offers on the bZ in other markets. Otherwise, this interior looks like a step up from the new NX’s, which shares the new large touchscreen infotainment. See more on this here.
Much speculation surrounds the next-generation Ford Mustang. Whether or not it will still be ride on the Explorer’s CD6 platform as previously presumed, remains a mystery. Something else that was somewhat of a mystery has now been officially validated by Ford’s vehicle program director of Icons and Ford Performance, Ali Jammoul. It will still offer a V8. An interview with Australian outlet Wheels is where he made the news official, also confirming it will be arriving next year. More on this development here.
Recently, BMW invited a few lucky journalists to give a camouflaged prototype of the all-new 2023 BMW 7 Series and i7 a quick drive in Munich. From Chris Tsui’s take on The Drive, we can gather a few things. First, it was revealed that there will be a plethora of powertrain choices between the 7 and i7, with a V8 being the largest on offer. The i7 will spiritually replace all M guises of the 7, as its performance will be superior and worthy of the flagship title. The car drives very well for its size, but being driven by it is apparently even better. Read more here.
The next-generation Mini Cooper Hardtop has been spied, looking more familiar to the previous car than the electric variant is expected to. This three door model will be the first member of the family to be revealed later this year. The brand’s goal is to go all-electric by 2025, so it makes sense that this redesign isn’t terribly thorough. The electric model, which was spied previously with a new take on the Mini look, rides on a unique electric platform. For now, we expect the gas models to retain its previous powertrains but gain a plug-in hybrid option. More details here.