Preview of the Lexus LF-ZL flagship electric SUV concept
At the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus unveiled the LF-ZL concept to unveil its future flagship electric SUV.
The concept, which stands for "Lexus Future Luxury with zero emissions," is about 8 inches longer than the current Lexus LX SUV and 2 inches longer than the flagship LS sedan, which is 208.6 inches long. The EV-only platform helps to increase the flexibility of packaging and maximize the internal space with its wide area.
Lexus next-generation electric vehicles, including the Lf-ZL, have a modular design consisting of three large "gigacastings" consisting of the front, center and rear parts of the vehicle structure. This process, first developed by Tesla, eliminates the use of small parts that are usually welded to form the basic structure of the car, simplifying the production process and increasing rigidity.
Future Lexus electric vehicles will also be equipped with new battery technology, including prism cells, which provide higher energy density and lower weight, to increase flight range, the automaker claims. Another new technological feature that has appeared in the Lexus
LF-ZL concept is the new operating system of the parent company Lexus Toyota, known as Arene, while the physical shape of the element also allows the use of thinner batteries and a more complex design that helps improve aerodynamics. This. Capable of processing data from sensors in the car and the environment, for example, automatically indicating the direction when drivers and passengers identify landmarks, Lexus also mentioned the "use of big data" to control the charging process, which helped integrate electric vehicles and the network.
The LF-ZL was introduced along with the Lexus LF-ZC concept, an elegant hatch that Lexus says will go into production in 2026. However, the automaker did not discuss the timing of the launch of the LF-ZL.
Before these next-generation models arrive, Lexus will introduce more electric vehicles based on modern technology, possibly including a three-row SUV. At the moment, the only Lexus electric car for the American market is the RZ crossover. Automakers also sell electric versions of UX crossovers in several markets.
Lexus plans to eventually sell only zero-emission vehicles, including both battery-powered and hydrogen fuel cell models, in the United States, China, Europe and other parts of the world by 2030 and by 2035.