Tokyo show: Lexus warms up electric concept

LEXUS will get one step closer to climbing aboard the electric vehicle bandwagon when it unveils a full-electric battery powered concept at the Tokyo motor show on October 23.

Long an exponent of hybrid powertrains in league with its parent company Toyota, Japan’s biggest luxury car-maker is now scrambling to accelerate its EV program to cater for a burgeoning plug-in market that Tesla and European rivals are dominating.

Lexus today released an obscure teaser image and video of a chunk of the concept that could be – perhaps – the snub nose of a small car. The video shows LED lights switching on and off, perhaps signalling the vehicle’s intentions to other road users and pedestrians.

In the background, three illuminated dials could be the vehicle’s instruments.

The brief press release accompanying the image confirms the vehicle will be both electrified and autonomous, while offering “a glimpse into Lexus’ future vision which caters to consumers who are equally passionate about driving and uniquely crafted experiences”.

Seemingly a reluctant starter in the EV business, Lexus has now publicly committed to having a full electric variant in all of its model lines by 2025.

The first of these vehicles is expected next year. Toyota has also announced that it is bringing six EVs to market by 2025.

To this end, Toyota has signed a battery contract with two Chinese companies, CATL and BYD, to ramp up supply alongside its long-time Japanese collaborator, Panasonic.

Most, if not all, of these are expected to be built on Toyota’s new e-TNGA platform, which is a variation of the modular TNGA architecture that underpins a multitude of Toyota and Lexus models including the Toyota Corolla and Lexus NX.

Among the upcoming Toyota models to based on this all-electric platform will be a compact electric SUV to be shared with Subaru.

In what has become conventional design for such EV platforms, the e-TNGA architecture is expected to allow for front- and all-wheel drive via motors on the front and rear axles.