The yet-unamed battery electric vehicle from Lexus will mark a significant step forward in terms of design and technology
September 20, 2023 at 05:29
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Lexus will show a new concept car at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 (Oct 26 – Nov 5), previewing the first next-generation BEV set to enter production in 2026. The automaker didn’t get into details, but the concept could be related to the Lexus-branded teaser sketch published by Toyota a few months ago as a sign of things to come.
Lexus claims that its next-generation battery EV will “revolutionize the modular structure of the car body, make major changes to production methods, and completely revamp the software platform”, with a design that is “thoroughly focused on the Lexus characteristics”. The exterior gives emphasis to aerodynamics, combined with sustainable but also high-quality materials inside the cabin. Weight reduction will also play an important role, bringing benefits to performance and efficiency. Bear in mind that Hiroki Nakajima, Executive Vice President of Toyota, previously said that the design and driving performance of their next-gen BEVs will “set hearts racing”.
More: Toyota Unveils New Electrification Strategy And Plans For 10 Next-Gen EVs By 2026
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Lexus is focused on providing a fun-to-drive experience in its future fully electric models while offering new kinds of services. Core technologies will include the Direct4 four-wheel-drive system and the steer-by-wire targeting a “linear steering feel”. The BEV is expected to ride on a new modular architecture that will eventually underpin several new models from Toyota and Lexus. There is no word on power output figures but it is safe to assume that an undisclosed number of electric motors will offer more than decent performance.
Toyota recently announced details about the next-gen battery technology which will most likely be shared with Lexus. A good candidate for the upcoming model is the Performance lithium-ion battery set to debut in production models in 2026. It promises 497 miles (800 km) of range and a 10-80 percent charge time of 20 minutes, while being 20 percent cheaper to produce compared to the current battery packs. The next step is a High-Performance lithium-ion battery coming in 2027-2028 offering over 612 miles (1,000 km) of range while bringing being a further 10 percent improvement in cost savings. Finally, Toyota’s solid-state battery is expected to arrive in 2027-2028, charging from 10-80 percent in as little as 10 minutes. The driving range will eventually exceed 746 miles (1,200 km), reaching as much as 932 miles (1,500 km) further in the future.
We hope that the Lexus concept will reveal more details about the future production model, although we suspect it will be more focused on previewing the exterior and interior design rather than giving away more specs. Lexus previously announced plans to become an EV-only brand by 2035. Besides the RZ which is the sole BEV offering in the current Lexus range, the automaker has shown electric concepts with different bodystyles, including a sportscar, a large SUV, and low-slung models in sedan, hatchback, and cabriolet forms.
