On the eve of announcing its first electric (in November 2019), Lexus presented itself at the Tokyo Hall with a futuristic concept, the LF-30 Electrified , a 100% electric crossover for the year 2030.
It does not foresee any production model, but the platform on which it is based is very real. It is an exclusive for future electric models from Toyota and Lexus, whose first production model should appear in the next two, three years.
Probably the most spectacular design owner at this year's Tokyo Motor Show, the Lexus LF-30 Electrified, doesn't look like it, but it's quite large, being 5.09 m long, 1,995 m wide, 1.6 m tall and a long wheelbase of 3.2 m.
Highlight for the huge “gull-wing” doors and the futuristic interpretation of the typical Lexus “spindle” grille. The proportions are equally unique, with a very short front and rear, only possible because it is 100% electric. It will not give rise to a production model, but it may influence the design of future models of the brand.
one engine per wheel
The electric motors are integrated in the wheels (in-wheel motors), that is, four in total, totaling 544 hp and 700 Nm , allowing it to launch the 2400 kg of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified up to 100 km/h in just 3.8s and reach a limited 200 km/h top speed.
Subscribe to our newsletter
One of the advantages of this arrangement, one engine per wheel, also allows switching between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, depending on the situation.
The concept curiously doesn't feature a charging port — Lexus' hope is that by 2030, the year this concept was thought of, charging can now be done by induction, without the clutter of current cables.
It supports charging up to 150 kW and the batteries are solid state and not lithium ion. According to Lexus, these have 110 kWh of capacity and allow the LF-30 Electrified a maximum autonomy of up to 500 km (WLTP).
Steering column? There is not
Considering the year for which it was designed, naturally the LF-30 Electrified allows autonomous driving. However, we still see a steering wheel inside, enabling us to drive it.
This is a steer-by-wire type, meaning there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering axle. A common technology in aviation today, but in automobiles, until now, there has only been one car to apply it: the Infiniti Q50 in 2014, despite having been obliged, for regulatory reasons, to maintain a mechanical connection.
The advantage of not having a mechanical connection can be seen when in autonomous mode, with the steering wheel retracted towards the dashboard, freeing up more space for the driver.
When in autonomous mode, and using the latest advances in autonomous driving technology “Lexus Teammate”, the LF-30 Electrified has two modes: Chaffeur and Guardian. You can even park alone or “catch” the occupants outside the house.
sci-fi interior
If the exterior impresses, what about the interior? Here reigns the digital, artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
The entire cockpit was designed according to the “Tazuna” concept, inspired by “how a single rein can be used to achieve a mutual understanding between horse and rider”. There are no physical buttons, except those found on the steering wheel, which allow you to control the entire interface that integrates a head-up display.
In addition to the few buttons on the steering wheel, interaction with the interior can be done through gestures, as with the passenger seat interface, and the information at our disposal can use augmented reality.
Rear occupants aren't forgotten, with flexible-use seats — with multiple modes like recline, relax and alert —, a Mark Levinson audio system capable of isolating each occupant in its sound space, and a glass roof that's also an interface.
Skygate, as it is called, is controlled by voice or gestures, using augmented reality to expose various types of information: from a starry sky, to videos and even navigation. A curious detail, we can freely vary the opacity of the windows, creating a more private space.
There's not even a… drone to go
Called “Lexus Airporter”, the LF-30 Electrified's drone is also autonomous and is responsible for carrying out tasks such as transporting luggage from the door to the… tailgate.
