By Steve Laser
Lexus offers a wide array of models, from luxury sedans and SUVs, to sporty coupes and a convertible, with a range of gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric powertrains. Yet there’s something missing from the lineup – a high-performance sports car to replace the renown LFA.
The new Lexus Sport Concept introduced this week at The Quail, a Motorsport Gathering in Carmel, Calif., previews the luxury automaker’s exterior design direction for a potential addition to the lineup, possibly an electrified supercar.
“The progressively styled, future-focused yet truly authentic sportscar signals the way forward for Lexus design,” said Lexus in a brief press release. “This inspiring concept car features a wide, low-profile two-door form that blends dynamic and emotional elements into a vision for a next-generation sports car.”
At first glance, the new concept appears to be an evolution of the previous Lexus Electrified Sport Concept. During its introduction in Tokyo nearly four years ago, the Electrified Sport was described as a “spiritual successor” to the LFA (see separate flashback below).
The new dynamically styled Sport Concept features signature Lexus design elements, including high-tech front and rear lighting. There’s a long hood, bold fender arches, side sculpting with air ducts, big alloy wheels, and a retractable wing-type rear spoiler.
Additional photos provide a glimpse of the interior, showing a sporty driver’s seat. A production model would, of course, include a passenger’s seat, and likely feature Lexus’s latest infotainment, connectivity, driver-assist, and other high-tech systems and capabilities.
No details were offered regarding a potential powertrain. However, the elimination of “Electrified” from the previous concept’s name could be a clue that a production model may not be a pure EV. Could there be a gas V8, twin-turbo V6, or perhaps a return of the LFA’s V10 that was developed in a collaboration with Yamaha? Perhaps the most likely approach is to make the future sports car a gas-electric, self-charging hybrid. More details are expected from Lexus in the coming months.
Flashback – Lexus Electrified Sport Concept
When Toyota and Lexus revealed an array of upcoming production and concept Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in Tokyo nearly four years ago, one of the concepts was called the Lexus Electrified Sport (shown below).
Lexus described the Electrified Sport as a next-generation Sports BEV and spiritual successor to the Lexus LFA. “All of the limits will be pushed, both on the road and on the track, to achieve the full potential of electrification and create the ultimate expression of the Lexus Driving Signature,” said Lexus.
At the time, Lexus anticipated acceleration from 0-100 km/h to be around two seconds, with a cruising range of more than 700 km, along with the potential use of solid-state batteries for this high-performance EV.
Note: Concept vehicles shown in this story are not for sale.
News source and photos courtesy of Lexus
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