Lexus LF-Z Electrified: Pioneer for an Entire Corporation

By 2025 Electrified Versions of All Series

The brand aims to offer electrified variants of all models by 2025; by then, electrified vehicles are expected to account for more than half of the brand's global sales. By 2050, the company aims to achieve climate neutrality throughout the entire lifecycle of all vehicles, including production, parts and vehicle logistics, as well as disposal and recycling. In addition to careful material selection, the environmental impact of material production will also be considered. In March 2024, the company plans to open a new business and technology center in Shimoyama, Aichi Prefecture (Japan) to accelerate the planning and development of new products, the manufacturer further announces.

Special EV Platform Takes a Big Step Forward

The Lexus LF-Z Electrified is based on a special EV platform. This is a significant step towards realizing the brand’s vision that "electrification technologies should significantly enhance fundamental performance characteristics." The new Direct4 all-wheel drive system also differentiates the concept vehicle from conventional vehicles. The 4.88-meter-long, 1.60-meter-high, and substantial 1.96-meter-wide crossover vehicle is expected to achieve a range of up to 600 kilometers using a 90-kWh lithium-ion battery. Charging is done with up to 150 kW of power in DC. Electric motors with 400 kW of power and 700 Nm of torque provide rapid acceleration, allowing the 2.1-ton vehicle to sprint to 100 km/h in 3 seconds. The maximum speed is limited to 200 km/h.

Electrification Brings Entirely Different Packages

Electrification means that the vehicle's packaging is not constrained by the engine and transmission – an evolution of fundamental vehicle characteristics. The battery, placed longitudinally under the vehicle floor, increases the rigidity of the vehicle structure, lowers the center of gravity, and helps absorb road surface noise and vibrations. The new DIRECT4 system allows for a free and independent distribution of the torque-rich motor's driving forces to all four wheels.

Depending on the driving situation and requirements, front-wheel, rear-wheel, or all-wheel drive can be achieved. In response to throttle and steering movements, the system delivers powerful acceleration and dynamic cornering characteristics. Steering impulses are transmitted "by wire," without a mechanical connection to the steering shaft. This provides a more direct link between the steering movement and the driving force, allowing the vehicle to change direction with less steering angle. The driver perceives the benefits of this technology as greater steering precision. The fully electronic system also filters out unwanted road surface vibrations.

Long Wheelbase, Generous Space Concept

The interior is designed to implement an open and minimalist space concept based on a long wheelbase of 2.95 meters, featuring a so-called Tazuna cockpit design tailored to the specific characteristics of an electric vehicle. A seamless connection from the front hood to the front and rear doors gives the space a clean and high-quality appearance.

The vehicle's artificial intelligence (AI) learns in dialogue with the driver and is expected to make suggestions, such as route guidance and destination information. This is complemented by the close arrangement of switches on the steering wheel and the head-up display, providing the driver with intuitive access to vehicle functions and information without needing to take their eyes off the road. The cockpit is the heart of the vehicle, while the instrument panel and other elements are comparatively positioned lower. The sources for driver information – the head-up display with augmented reality (AR), instruments, multimedia touchscreen, and other elements – are combined into a single module, while the controls for the driving system are grouped around the steering wheel.

Digital Key Enables Sharing

A digital key allows family members and friends to access the vehicle without the need to share a physical key. Vehicle functions such as locking and unlocking the doors can be controlled remotely via smartphone. The digital key can also grant access to service providers for services like in-car package delivery or car sharing. The doors feature an electronic locking system: when the driver or passengers approach the vehicle with a key, the retractable door handles automatically extend. Sensors on the vehicle monitor the surroundings and warn if a vehicle or cyclist is approaching, reducing the risk of an accident when exiting.

The panoramic glass roof, which can be dimmed as needed and features shading and lighting functions with night sky reflections, also contributes to the open feeling of space. Front and rear passengers can communicate with each other via a control panel in the center of the roof. The rear seats feature a massage function and reclining adjustment. The next-generation Mark Levinson audio system is designed to bring concert hall sound quality into the interior.