Lexus Shows Off Its Next Battery-Electric SUVs

Though only a concept car, Lexus has promised that the new LF-ZC concept car will be coming to market as the company's next-generation battery-electric vehicle. The model made its debut alongside the LF-ZL flagship SUV concept at the Japan Mobility Show, formerly the Tokyo Motor Show.

Both electrified concepts are part of the company's greater push to become an all-electric brand by 2035. To get to that dateline, Lexus will need to transition to new vehicle architecture, implement state-of-the-art production technology and integrate a fresh software platform.

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Lexus LF-ZC

The LF-ZC is a direct look at what Lexus will bring to market in 2026. It features sleek proportions, a low center of gravity and minimalistic design.

Lexus promises that the production version of the vehicle will deliver on the company's fresh focus on driving performance, incorporating lessons learned from the development and launch of the Lexus RZ two-row battery-electric SUV, which came to market earlier this year.

The RZ features steer-by-wire technology and four-wheel drive that are designed to make the model more agile than its gas-powered counterparts.

The automaker said in a press release that the new SUV will feature the company's next-generation battery technology.

Lexus has installed a new "Arene OS" software platform in the concept that is able to be consistently updated over the air and includes new safety technology and multimedia features. It can also adjust the vehicle's performance characteristics like acceleration and handling.

Like Mercedes-Benz, Lexus has installed artificial intelligence (AI) as part of its technology offering. It is utilized as part of the car's voice recognition system and is designed to make the vehicle "attentive and accommodating" according to a company press release.

The concept car has concept interior design, which includes materials focused on the company's mission of working to create design and material circularity in an aim to become more sustainable.

Lexus intends to bring LF-ZC to production using a new creation technique called "gigacasting", which splits the vehicle into three parts: front, center and rear. The center houses the car's battery, allowing the front and rear to be independent, taking advantage of legroom and storage space afforded by the lack of transmission tunnel and exhaust system.

It will be produced on a self-driving assembly line, which allows the vehicle to move autonomously through the production cycle, eliminating conveyor belts and making the floor of the manufacturing facility more easily reconfigured, saving time and money as generations of production move through.

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Lexus LF-ZL

The new Lexus' LF-ZL concept car is an indirect look at the company's vision for a new flagship SUV. Currently, the Lexus TX sits atop the company's lineup, but it has a boxier form. The LF-ZL is a more streamlined, crossover-like battery-electric model.

"The Lexus LF-ZL represents the changing face of flagship vehicles, particularly in Asia where the large black sedan still resonates in that role. The LF-ZL reflects evolving preferences for high-end consumers," Ed Kim, president and chief analyst at AutoPacific told Newsweek.

"As a sleek crossover, it offers easier ingress and egress with its raised ride height, but it's not so high up like a true SUV that requires hoisting oneself up into the cabin. And, the lack of a rear window can enhance privacy and the perception of having their own private space for the VIP passengers in back."

It builds on what is shown on the LF-ZC, but furthers the concept of luxury space. Its cabin is designed to be a serene sanctuary, complete with technology that predicts occupant needs and enables interaction.

"Even the light colored rear seats, which contrast the dark front seats, enhance the sense that the rear seats are a special space reserved for its esteemed guests," Kim said.

LF-ZC utilizes "big data" to manage the charging process and power supply, allowing the vehicle to serve as a part of societal infrastructure while parked.

Measurements of the LF-ZC provided by Lexus have it measuring 6 inches longer than the Lexus TX and 3 inches shorter.

This new model is integral in showing a fresh pathway forward for Lexus in a modern automotive market space, Kim pointed out, saying, "It seems to be an inevitability now that the traditional sedan is on its way out, but the role of luxury flagship transport isn't going anywhere. The LF-ZL concept shows a way forward for the the future of flagship luxury in the years ahead."