At the Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo this week, Toyota’s luxury arm Lexus introduced two battery electric vehicle (BEV) concepts under the theme “Pushing the Boundaries of the Electrified Experience.” The brand showed the LF-ZC, previewing a model set for release in 2026, and the LF-ZL flagship. The glimpse into its near future gives an idea of how it plans to commit to becoming electric by 2035, a transition it says will involve fundamentally reassessing vehicle architecture with more modularity, integrating a new software platform, and implementing more cutting-edge production technology.

“In 2021, we made a commitment to become 100% electric by 2035,” said Simon Humphries, Chief Branding Officer for Lexus. “We believe that BEVs, through their unique attributes, will allow us to expand the scope of possibilities to elevate the customer experience.”

In revealing the LF-ZC at the show, its “fusion of digital and physical technology will lead to new and fresh solutions…,” said Humphries. “In all respects, we are aiming for more from less—more emotional design, more space and flexibility, more driver engagement—all from a smaller, lighter, and more aerodynamic structure.”

 

LF-ZC up first

The LF-ZC, which stands for Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst, is designed to be “a catalyst for new experiences in the electric age” including elevated driving dynamics, better design, and new exclusive services to enrich the lives of its customers. The concept is characterized by sleek proportions, a low center of gravity, a spacious cabin, and an “emotionally charged” design that blends functionality and aesthetics.

The brand’s next-generation BEVs will have more versatile vehicle packaging achieved by minimizing core components, which should also translate directly into better driving performance. A goal with the LF-ZC is delivering engaging dynamics by leveraging the “excellent inertia characteristics” of BEVs and building on technologies from Lexus RZ development such as the control by the all-wheel-drive Direct4 system and the “natural, linear” steering feel provided by its steer-by-wire.

With this next generation, the brand is creating an exterior design unique to BEVs using under the theme “Provocative Simplicity.” With it, the design team focused on aerodynamics, incorporating unique BEV functional and structural elements, and pursued an “elegantly” condensed form with a low center of gravity that hints at an exhilarating driving experience.

The concept on display is 4750 mm (187.0 in) long, 1880 mm (74.0 in) wide, and 1390 mm (54.7 in) tall on a 2890-mm (113.8-in) wheelbase. Those dimensions give it a length equivalent to the smallest Lexus IS sedan, while an inch wider and about two inches lower, but with a slightly longer wheelbase than the mid-size Lexus ES.

Leveraging a BEV’s more compact powertrain, designers are aiming for a low Cd (coefficient of drag) value of about 0.2. The low hood and cowl and tapering of the cabin toward the rear accentuate the prominent rear wheel flares to achieve a balance between aerodynamic performance and a wide stance. The spindle body design extends beyond the front face and continues along the door sides and rear bumper. Functionality is transformed into distinctive design features by integrating aerodynamic elements like air intakes and outlets.

The LF-ZC and other next-generation Lexus BEVs will feature next-generation prismatic high-performance batteries to achieve about twice the range of conventional BEVs. Their high energy density is achieved by simplifying and compacting the battery structure.

The batteries are engineered to increase range through improved aerodynamic integration and weight reduction, enhancing vehicle efficiency and battery performance. The low profile of the battery contributes to increased design flexibility for the vehicles, resulting in a more attractive silhouette, and it offers a low center of gravity for improved driving dynamics.

Lexus says the adoption of the new Arene OS (operating system) will provide an unprecedented experience in terms of vehicle driving dynamics. It will be possible to replicate various car operations, driving characteristics, sounds, and vibrations tailored to individual preferences.

The combination of steer-by-wire and OTA (over-the-air) updates will allow Lexus to bring vehicle settings from the virtual to the real world. For example, customers will be able to engage in e-sports using steer-by-wire technology inside the vehicle, and then implement their preferred settings through an OTA update to experience them in the real world.

 

Intelligent and sustainable cockpit

An expansive interior space is made possible by the new BEV architecture. Positioning the front occupants in a low, forward position creates a sense of spaciousness, and the fully flat floor and panoramic roof add overhead expansiveness, resulting in an unexpectedly open interior design.

Various functions previously spread across a wide area of the cockpit have now been consolidated into the digital pads within a driver arm’s reach and designed for an intuitive and easy-to-use layout. The controls for vehicle functions like shifting, the ADAS (advanced driving assistance system), and drive mode selection are located on the left digital pad. Convenience features such as music, climate control, phone, and AI functions are grouped on the right digital pad.

An “eyes on the road” principle is encouraged by adopting a set-back meter display that projects information onto the windshield using the same concept as a HUD (head-up display). Digital mirrors on both sides project images of the vehicle’s surroundings so shifts in the driver’s gaze, focus, and head movement during driving are minimized, achieving an unobstructed cockpit view that promotes concentration.

The expansive monitor on the front passenger side functions as a highly programmable open platform for entertainment and other applications, broadening the prospects for future mobility.

The concept’s digitalized Intelligent Cockpit features situation-based functionality so customers can access the functions they need, when they need them, making for a control interface that enhances an immersive driving experience. For a personalized driving experience, performance characteristics, such as acceleration and handling, can be adjusted to driver preferences through software-enabled hardware.

Its next-generation voice-recognition system uses advanced AI technology to provide customers with a service experience “that’s reminiscent of conversing with an attentive and accommodating butler” thanks to its swift response to voice commands and perceptive suggestions. The butler aims to provide a more personalized driving experience by accumulating driving data, and using self-learning functions for software customization allows the vehicle to automatically adjust personal settings for each customer with every drive.

Lexus says it is exploring new possibilities for traditional materials through technology, combining the dual principles of environmental and social sustainability with luxurious design.

“Whatever the form, there will be no luxury future, without innate sustainability,” said Humphries. “A future where the better the car is for the planet, the better it is for the customer. Whether it is new carbon neutral materials that contribute to sustainable communities or a system where, one day, mobility will play an active part in societal-level energy and data management.”

Bamboo was chosen as the signature CMF (color, material, finish) material to signal the brand’s commitment to a circular economy that efficiently reduces, reuses, and recycles valuable environmental resources. The material strikes a balance with its fast growth, significant CO2 absorption capacity, and the enduring beauty it has offered in Japan for centuries as a material for construction and crafts. The bamboo features have both practical and decorative appeal, with elements incorporating bamboo fibers, and fabrics woven with bamboo thread, opening the door to new experiences as they interact with light.

 

LF-ZL flagship vision

The LF-ZL, short for Lexus Future Zero-emission Luxury, is a “vision” concept that is said to offer “a glimpse into a future where mobility, people, and society are seamlessly connected.” It represents a future Lexus flagship luxury model, aiming to offer a prestigious ownership experience beyond just the car, driven by its next-generation BEV architecture and software advancements from the new Arene OS. Taking advantage of the freedom in BEV-specific packaging and optimizing interior space, LF-ZL has a spacious and serene cabin where traditional omotenashi features are elevated through technology for “an unprecedented mobility experience.”

For LF-ZL dimensions, Lexus offered “approximate spec values” of 5300-mm (209-in) length, 2020-mm (80-in) width, and 1700-mm (67-in) height, on a 3350-mm (132-in) wheelbase. That makes it about half a foot longer and a few inches wider than any current Lexus and about RX crossover height, with a wheelbase 9 inches longer than the LS sedan.

It is intended to offer “an unparalleled level” of personalized customer interaction with the vehicle, providing distinctive driving experiences for everyone, taking hints from their actions, and making ongoing suggestions. Harnessing the full capabilities of the Arene OS means that this model would have advanced information integration capabilities that learn and anticipate the users’ needs. Additionally, it will enable fresh experiential value by enabling interaction with a range of societal infrastructure and services.

Lexus says its Interactive Reality in Motion experience platform will combine data from maps and vehicle cameras with AI chat functionality, and in-car voice and gesture recognition. The goal is to link information held by the car via onboard sensors with digital data from the surroundings so that, for example, when drivers point to objects or places of interest during their journey, the car’s display promptly delivers information along with voice guidance.

The use of big data will allow management of the charging process and power supply, enabling the vehicle to seamlessly connect to the network and become an integral part of the societal infrastructure while parked. This would ensure the integration of mobility solutions with the customer’s lifestyle.

 

New production technology

Next-generation Lexus BEVs will feature a new modular structure formed through gigacasting, which splits the vehicle body into three parts: front, center, and rear. The use of casting provides greater freedom of form, while the integration of parts also increases rigidity for linear and natural vehicle dynamics. Positioning the battery in the central section of the vehicle body ensures that the front and rear remain structurally independent, enabling the rapid integration of battery advancements into the vehicle and contributing to more agile future development.

The production process introduces a self-driving assembly line, where cars can autonomously move between stages of assembly. This enables the vehicle to drive itself with only the battery, motor, tires, and wireless terminal components in the front, center, and rear sections. The elimination of conveyor belts from the production line provides more flexibility in rearranging the factory layout, enabling a reduction in the production preparation period and significantly reducing factory investment costs for more agile business operations.