Toyota and Lexus to offer ‘steer-by-wire’ system in Europe from 2024

Japanese car giant Toyota and its luxury division Lexus will be among the first brands to offer a ‘steer-by-wire’ system – which replaces a traditional link between the steering wheel and front wheels with electronic components – in Europe from late 2024, according to reports.

Industry publication Automotive News reports Lexus will lead the roll-out of the technology as an option in the RZ electric SUV – which has previously been used as a fully-functioning prototype for the system with a ‘yoke’ steering wheel – for the European market next year.

The steer-by-wire system is then expected to become available in the Toyota BZ4X – a twin to the Lexus RZ – on the continent from 2025, pending any delays.

Steer-by-wire technology removes the physical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels, replacing it with electric components and motors which move the front wheels based on how the steering wheel is rotated.

It reducing the number of moving parts needed to produce a car, theoretically saving costs.

MORE: Aircraft-style ‘yoke’ steering control coming to Australia with Lexus RZ electric car

It also means the amount the steering wheel has to be turned to achieve the maximum steering lock is no longer set mechanically – and is infinitely customisable through software.

While most cars can complete at least 720 degrees from lock-to-lock (or two full rotations) the most recent Lexus system allows up to 200 degrees of steering wheel movement, with the amount of movement in the front wheels varying depending on the vehicle’s speed. 

It means a half turn of the steering wheel at car-park speeds could result in full steering lock – for easy manoeuvring – but at highway speeds, it may only translate to a small change in steering angle.

Despite Toyota and Lexus’ recent development of the technology, it has previously been used by fellow Japanese car maker Infiniti – the luxury division of Nissan.

From 2013, Infiniti offered a steer-by-wire system in its Q50 sedan, however the technology received negative feedback about how it felt to drive.

Steer-by-wire technology has just been announced for the Tesla Cybertruck electric pick-up, deliveries of which began last week.

It is not known whether the steer-by-wire system will begin to roll out in Lexus and Toyota vehicles with a traditional round steering wheel or a ‘yoke’, though Automotive News reports the updated models have been designed with a rectangular-themed interior to complement the latter shape.

Lexus has previously announced its intentions to offer the RZ electric SUV with the option of a yoke and steer-by-wire system in Australia once the technology is ready.

Last month, the car-maker also previewed technology known as 'Neo Steer', which deletes a car’s accelerator and brake pedals in place of hand-operated controls on the yoke – allowing physically-impaired drivers to better operate the vehicle.