A new approach to construction, advanced digitization, cutting-edge software – the Japanese brand is showing its future.
At the ongoing Japan Mobility Show, the Lexus brand presented a pair of concepts that it intends to turn into reality. And quite soon. The first is the LF-ZC sedan with a length of 4750 mm, a width of 1880 mm and a height of 1390 mm. It stands on a wheelbase of 2890 mm and should go into production in 2026. In its production, Lexus will use die-casting technology, which will reduce the number of parts to the necessary minimum and significantly speed up the whole process – the basis of the car’s design will thus consist of front and rear parts plus floors with a thin battery module. Thanks to this approach, the platform will be nicely modular and will allow the brand to experiment with the dimensions and use of individual models.
Both the LF-ZC and the LF-ZL SUV concept profess a design style of “provocative simplicity.” The latter works with the traditional Lexus spindle motif, and thanks to the electric drive and LED lighting, it is then possible to shape the body for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. This is especially important for electric cars for economical operation and a long range – the LF-ZC should have an aerodynamic drag coefficient of less than 0.2, which is a top value. In terms of the drive, Lexus suggests the use of Direct4 all-wheel drive, then the steering should take place “by the wire” without a fixed connection between the steering wheel and the wheels.
Inside, there is a fully digitized cockpit, which concentrates important functions within the driver’s reach on the touch pads next to the steering wheel. Safety and assistance systems are located on the left, audio, air conditioning and artificial intelligence functions on the right. The entertainment function is performed by the widescreen in front of the driver. Here, AI acts as an assistant, helping the driver with his wishes and learning to provide him with personalized services and experiences. In terms of software, everything is controlled by the Arene OS operating system, which, by the way, will be able to replicate the sounds and driving characteristics of various other vehicles.
