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Lexus LF-Z Electrified: 400kW all-electric concept revealed

Electric SUV concept debuts with futuristic cabin design, sculpted exterior and high-performance mechanicals intended to preview future Lexus models.


The Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept has been revealed overnight.

Unveiled via an online live-stream event, the LF-Z Electrified claims to preview the next generation of Lexus' electric vehicles, debuting an evolved design language and a dedicated electric-only platform set to be used by future production models over the coming years.

A cross between a traditional sedan and a high-riding coupe SUV, the concept car combines traditional Lexus styling cues – namely a closed-off version of Lexus' spindle grille, and tick-shaped LED headlights – with sculpted body styling, a full-width rear light bar, LEXUS script along the tailgate and black wheel-arch surrounds.

Concept-like camera-based mirrors sit on the front doors, alongside flush-fitting electronic door handles controlled by an E-Latch system, which pop out when a person approaches with the vehicle key in hand, and can be opened from the inside via an electronic switch.

Sensors around the car also scan the vehicle's surroundings prior to passengers opening their doors to prevent a collision with oncoming cyclists, pedestrians and cars. Similar versions of this feature can already be found in many production cars, including Hyundai and Kia's Safe Exit Assist system.

A new 'Tazuna' (Japanese for 'rein') design language has been applied inside the LF-Z Electrified, reportedly inspired by "the relationship between horse and rider" with a horse rein-like, squared-off steering wheel featuring touch-based switches.

Filling the driver's view is a digital instrument cluster, integrated into a curved panel with the central infotainment touchscreen to place core vehicle functions such as navigation, sound, drive modes and key instrumentation within the driver's reach and line of sight.

Artificial intelligence features within the instrument display to learn the driver's behaviours and suggest drive routes and potential restaurant reservations accordingly, while the panoramic glass roof employs electrochromic glass capable of being dimmed or brightened depending on the passengers' preferences.

Other available features include a digital key controlled via a smartphone – with support for package delivery, car sharing and other "vehicle-linked" services – and a next-generation Mark Levinson sound system with active noise cancellation.

The Japanese luxury brand says the LF-Z's driver-focused, minimalist cabin "[suggests] the direction of next-generation Lexus interior styling" – though don't expect future production models to share the concept's futuristic detailing and razor-thin seat designs.

Powering the LF-Z Electrified is a pair of electric motors, mated to a liquid-cooled 90kWh lithium-ion battery pack to extract power and torque outputs of 400kW and 700Nm.

Lexus quotes a 3.0-second sprint from zero to 100km/h, towards a top speed of 200km/h. A maximum driving range of 600km on Europe's WLTP test cycle is claimed, with 150kW DC fast-charging capabilities on offer to refill the battery on long-distance road-trips.

The brand's Direct4 all-wheel-drive torque-vectoring technology is standard-fit, allowing the torque split between the front and rear axles to be fine-tuned on the move based on speed, throttle input and steering angle to maximise performance or efficiency.

A steer-by-wire system replaces a conventional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front tyres, allowing for "a more direct response between steering operation and driving force", according to Lexus.

The concept car measures 4880mm long, 1960mm wide and 1600mm high, all riding on a 2950mm wheelbase – 10mm shorter in overall length, 95mm wider and 90mm lower in height than a combustion-powered Lexus RX large SUV, matched with a 160mm-longer wheelbase.

Weight is rated at 2100kg – a few hundred kilograms lighter than many large electric SUVs in production, including the Audi E-Tron.

The Lexus LF-Z Electrified concept doesn't directly preview a production Lexus model, though its exterior design, interior technology and powertrain smarts will begin to be integrated into the brand's future portfolio by 2025.

Alongside the concept's unveiling, Lexus committed to the introduction of 20 new models by 2025 – including two debuting later this year, likely led by the new NX – with 10 electrified (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric) vehicles to form part of that pledge.

Electric powertrains will be offered in every Lexus model by 2025, with electrified sales slated to outstrip those of conventional petrol- and diesel-only models by the same deadline.

The brand's first electric vehicle, the UX300e small SUV, will go on sale in Australia in November 2021.


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Alex Misoyannis

Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family.

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