Lexus has announced that it will transform itself into a dedicated electric vehicle brand by 2035. Its parent company Toyota revealed a range of 15 concepts for itself and the Lexus brand recently. While there were a few concepts that caught our eye from Toyota’s stable, one of the four Lexus concepts stood out to us.
The Lexus Electrified Sport Concept looks to be inspired by the legendary Lexus LFA supercar. Details about the concept are currently sparse. However, Toyota has promised it will introduce 30 electric vehicles by 2030 covering all segments.
The Lexus LFA Successor Will Be Gorgeous
As Lexus will transition to being an all-electric vehicle maker, the automaker has showcased four concept models. The obvious large electric SUV, small crossovers are a given. Additionally, an electric sedan is in the works, but more importantly, it's the electric sports car that has us most excited. The concept seems to be a preview of the design direction Lexus is looking to take, and what the successor to the LFA could look like.
The supercar concept looks gorgeous and many elements take inspiration from the LFA. It features a long bonnet resembling a Grand Tourer silhouette. The sharp design creases and the pointed headlights look stunning. Like the LFA, it even features intake behind the side windows. The crease that it creates on the body is so cool as it integrates into the door, runs along it, and follows through to the vents behind the front wheels.
The roofline slopes down into a teardrop shape. But the rear end looks extremely cool and radical. Sure, the triple exhaust pipes of the LFA are missing, but the design remains as it integrates into the large diffuser. Additionally, the vents on the rear bumper are inspired by the LFA.
The Lexus LFA Successor Will Be Fast
The detailed technical specifications have not been revealed. However, Lexus has confirmed that the “Electrified Sport” concept is a vehicle that would accelerate from 0-62mph in 2 seconds. That suggests it could feature a dual-motor setup that develops a combined 750-800hp if we compare what is available in the market today. That could reseult in the electric successor to be more powerful than the LFA by 200hp.
While the battery capacity is still a secret, the Electrified Sport is said to be capable of 435 miles of range. It would offer 175 miles more range than the Porsche Taycan Turbo.
Additionally, the Electrified Sport would use Lexus’ new fast-charging solid-state battery, which would mean it could charge even faster than the Taycan as well. Before the Electrified Sport, (LFA Successor) goes into production, Lexus will test out its solid-state batteries on its hybrid models in the interim.
The Lexus Electrified Sport: What We Will Miss
The Lexus LFA was powered by a free-breathing 4.8-liter V10 engine that revs from idle to 9,000rpm in 0.6 seconds!
Lexus made use of Toyota’s Formula One Team of the time, assisted by Yamaha (who also build musical instruments) to develop the engine, and tune the sound of the exhaust. The result was an astounding and sonorous engine, which can only be described as the moans of an animal that was upset and disheartened.
It is revered as one of, if not, the best sounding road car ever made. Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear and The Grand Tour even called it the best car he had ever driven. It will definitely be something that everyone will miss about the Lexus LFA.
Before the silent electric-powered successor arrives, we will allow you a moment to hear the roaring engine sound of the Lexus LFA:
Toyota Plans For Electric Vehicle World Domination
At the announcement by Akio Toyoda, CEO of Toyota, 15 concept cars were previewed. From the Toyota stable, three specific cars that had us hooked included the Sport EV concept that could be the successor to the mid-engined MR2 sports car. Another one was the Tacoma/Tundra mixed electric pick-up truck and lastly, a smaller FJ Cruiser-inspired electric SUV.
As for the Lexus brand, the three other concepts include the Lexus RZ crossover that will arrive in 2022. Already near its production form, the RZ will feature all-wheel-drive, a dual-motor setup and a first-of-its-kind steer-by-wire technology. It will rival the Audi E-Tron, Mercedes-Benz EQC, and the Jaguar I-Pace. While this would be a successor to the Lexus RX, a larger and more luxurious electric SUV would arrive later. We expect it to be somewhere in the form of an electric LX full-size SUV. Additionally, an electric sedan is also in the works, as the unimaginatively named Electrified Sedan concept suggests. Both the full-size SUV, and the sedan would likely borrow the electric drivetrains from the RZ crossover.