Lexus is finally announcing its commitment towards an electric future by unveiling this bold concept car riding on a dedicated EV platform. It goes by the name of LF-Z Electrified, and while it doesn’t preview a certain production model, it signals a family of hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and all-electric models planned to arrive by 2025.
It’s a bit tricky to pinpoint the concept’s body style as some will see it as a low-slung SUV while others would rather describe it as a large hatchback. Regardless of what you call it, the LF-Z Electrified has a futuristic design and gives us hope the company’s future production cars are going to look amazing. From side cameras and pop-out door handles to thin LED light strips and a massive sunroof, there’s a lot to like about this concept.
The interior follows the “less is more” approach as we’re not seeing any conventional buttons. Instead, there are three fully digital screens incorporating all the functions, with the instrument cluster flanked by the infotainment system to the right and a smaller screen to the left. Body-hugging seats suggest the LF-Z Electrified has been imagined with sporty aspirations, while the flat floor denotes the concept rides on a bespoke EV architecture.
With a combined power output of 536 hp and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm), the LF-Z Electrified sprints to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a not-too-shabby three seconds flat before maxing out at 124 mph (200 km/h). The concept features a relatively large 90-kWh lithium-ion battery with enough juice for 373 miles (600 km) per WLTP.
At the heart of its new avant-garde showcar is a Direct4 drivetrain consisting of front and rear electric motors. It gives the LF-Z Electrified an all-wheel-drive layout, while the battery pack installed underneath the floor helps lower the center of gravity, which in turn improves handling and stability.
The concept car tips the scales at a rather hefty 2,100 kilograms (4,630 pounds) and has the following dimensions: 4,880 mm long, 1,960 mm wide, 1,600 mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring an impressive 2,950 mm. The battery pack supports charging at 150 kW, but Lexus doesn’t say how long it takes to charge it.
No fewer than 20 hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and pure EVs will be launched by 2025. To speed up development, Lexus will open up a business and technology center in March 2024 in Shimoyama, Japan.
Source: Lexus
