Lexus unveils the future
Lexus will next month unveil its first full-electric production vehicle to challenge prestige EV rivals. It is scheduled to go on sale in 2020.
The announcement came as its LF-30 Electrified concept car — a
400kW/700Nm gull-wing fourseater with all-electric range of
500km and 0-100km/h time of 3.8s — was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show.
A large, imposing grand tourer more than 5m long, it features inwheel electric motors, autonomous driving capability and a steer-by-wire system, removing mechanical connection to the wheels.
With a high-torque electric motor at each wheel, the concept adopts what Lexus calls its advanced posture control technology. This brings completely independent control of each wheel: it can serve as a front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive machine.
Lexus wouldn’t be drawn on body shape, size or details of its first full-electric production vehicle before next month’s reveal. However, by saying it would offer its first “dedicated EV” in the early 2020s, its first production EV is likely to be based on a current model. Takashi Watanabe, Lexus’ chief EV developer, said the brand would evolve its entire vehicle range based on the LF-30 concept.
“Our future launch plans for electrified vehicles are pure EVs, PHEVs, hybrids and fuel cell [hydrogen]. By about 2025, electrified versions of all our models are planned.”
The LF-30 concept is strikingly futuristic with a huge illuminated blue chin, skinny vertical lights, sleek windscreen leading into a glass roof and angular rear. In true concept tradition, the interior is equally eye-catching, with fighterpilot steering wheel and gesture control for screens surrounding the driver’s cockpit.
Next-generation touches include wireless charging of the battery and artificial intelligence that distinguishes the different voices of occupants.
Lexus said some elements may feature on its soon-arriving EV products.