It's almost 40 years since flying by wire - a system that ditched mechanical linkages in planes in favour of computers to process flight control inputs - was introduced by Airbus, but it has taken a lot longer for a car manufacturer to adapt the same principle.
Lexus is first into the fray with a system that pretty much revolutionises the way a car is steered and the amount of effort involved in doing so.
It’s called - you guessed it - "steer by wire" and it removes the conventional steering wheel, replacing it with what’s called a "yoke" that looks exactly like what you’d find in the cockpit of a Formula One racing car.
We’ve had a chance to try it on the new Lexus RZ 500, which will arrive in Ireland for January sales next year, and initially, at least, it’s an odd experience. The more rectangularly-shaped yoke is smaller than a conventional wheel and your hands grip it in a linear way - no more "ten to two"positioning.
The surprising thing is how precise an adjustment in steering even a small motion involves. Moving the yoke either left or right produces an instant reaction, so you have to get used to that kind of precision.
Once you do, however, it becomes a bit like a gaming experience for grown-ups. The level of engagement is really impressive as you feel the simultaneous steering response and feedback, with nothing of the relative vagueness of conventional steering systems. Any other car manufacturer considering how to better its cars’ driving dynamics is going to have to have a serious look at this innovation.
For the moment, the system will only be available on the RZ 500e version of the car, which also has the Lexus Direct4 all-wheel drive system. The combination of the two systems represents quite a leap forward for Lexus, and this car feels as if it has been entirely reworked in terms of its driving dynamics. It’s a new experience, and there is little or any evidence of body roll.
The entry-level model is the front wheel drive 350 e, which is expected to cost just over €70,000 when it arrives - the 500e being more expensive but prices haven’t been finalised yet.
A lot of attention has been paid to improve the RZ’s range and efficiency. Lexus is now claiming an extra 93 kilometres of EV range for the 350, saying it will now be capable of 568 kilometres on 18" wheels. The claim for the 500 all-wheel drive version is 456 kilometres on 20" wheels, with the extra weight accounting for the lower range.
Both versions have a 77 kWh lithium-ion battery and there is a 22kWh charger as standard, compared with the 11 kWh on the previous model. The charging time from 10 to 80 per cent capacity is now 30 minutes, according to Lexus estimates, by using a pre-conditioning system. This enables the car to be brought up to optimum temperature before charging is initiated - particularly useful in colder weather.
Inside, the car has been given a substantial makeover and this has moved Lexus well along the way in its catchup with her premium car manufacturers. The use of a new material called Ultrasuede on the better-equipped 500 version, is a good example of the upgrade. It’s soft and adds a touch of luxury to the dashboard and door cards.
Another example is the smart new 14" multimedia screen that fits the car very well without dominating the interior.
Standard on the entry level version are that screen, 18" alloy/resin wheels, LED headlights, a digital rear view mirror, head-up information display for the windscreen in front of the driver, synthetic leather upholstery, heated power seats in front, the 22 kWh charger on board and the Lexus safety system with comprehensive safety features.
The 500 e gets all the above, 20" wheels, black exterior styling details, cornering lights, ambient cabin lighting, the Ulstraseude upholstery - it would be a very welcome standard feature on the 350e, if Lexus folks would like to take note, ventilated front seats and heated front and rear seats.
The boot is now a generous 522 litres, extending to 1451 with the seats folded, which is impressive. Front and rear seating is both comfortable and spacious, too.
An initial drive in both versions revealed a plethora of engineering improvements that make both feel very well-bolted together. Some of them are subtle, others, like the steering by wire function, truly innovative.
Lexus has always been a little bit of a wallflower when compared to the likes of BMW, Audi and Mercedes, which built up their market share when petrol and diesel engines dominated.Now that the playing field is a lot more even, the gap may have narrowed considerably.
