When Lexus first began, its target market was the United States of America. And they did do well for a very long time, surpassing long-established domestic and European premium brands in sales. Yet for their first all-electric vehicle, it will be Chinese market that takes priority. A press release yesterday teased an ‘Electric’ badged Lexus would be coming to the 2019 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in just over a week.
Unlike the Lexus LF-30 concept, this vehicle will be ready for showrooms and orders. That said, Lexus left no official hint as to what model it is. But given that it needs to be something production-ready, there’s a big likelihood that it’s an existing model that will be fitted with an electric powertrain.
Our money’s on the Lexus UX. It’s just the right shape and size to hit a larger proportion of the premium segment and it’s still a relatively fresh model.
It has also been indicated that this Electric Lexus was built to accomodate the tastes of Chinese and European buyers. This either means its priced to be competitive in those markets, or it doesn’t have the kind of range or dimensions that would satisfy American tastes.
Also worth noting:
- The ‘ELECTRIFIED’ badging shown sits where the ‘HYBRID’ badging normally sits on a Lexus
- Lexus previously announced that by 2025, all their models would have an electrified option. It was not indicated if this meant all-electric or electrified in the traditional sense (even a Hybrid system would qualify)
From the Lexus’ LF-30 Concept Press Release
– In its continued efforts to deliver innovative and amazing experiences, Lexus unveiled its “Lexus Electrified” vision for an upcoming generation of electrified vehicles. Headlining this moment was the debut of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified Concept, which made its world premiere at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019. Since the brand’s creation in 1989, Lexus has endeavored to deliver to its customers innovative and amazing product and brand experiences that stimulate the five senses. Since the launch of the RX 400h in 2005, Lexus has led the world as a pioneer in electrification technologies such as the two-stage reduction gear and the multi-stage hybrid system which leverage technology to offer excellent performance and the direct driving sensation characteristic of Lexus Hybrid vehicles. The “Lexus Electrified” vision unveiled today targets a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control and driver enjoyment — even as mobility within our society continues to change with autonomous driving and vehicle electrification. Evoking the original fun of driving, Lexusis developing new advanced posture control and other electrification technologies to further evolve driving pleasure, and to fundamentally transform the essence of luxury vehicles of the future. Towards this end, Lexus is drawing on the lessons learned developing the core technologies found in Lexus’ popular range of gasoline-electric hybrids, including battery management, power control modules, and electric motors. In particular, the technology of Lexus Electrified enables integrated control of powertrain, steering, suspension, and brakes, realizing the ultimate potential of the motor control technology cultivated in HV. With this technology, we can control the driving force to provide ideal vehicle posture according to each driving situation. Lexus endeavorsto continue providing enjoyable and safer driving vehicles. To advance this goal, Lexus plans to unveil its first BEV in November 2019 –broadening its response to the needs of various regions around the world, including the development of HEVs, PHEVs, BEVs, and FCEVs. Moving forward after that, Lexus plans to expand its electrified vehicle lineup – launching its first PHEV and a new dedicated BEV platform early in the coming decade. By 2025, Lexus will have available electrified versions of all Lexus vehicle models, and we are aiming for the sales of electrified vehicle models to outpace those of conventional internal combustion engine vehicle models
From Press Release
Lexus introduces its first battery-electric vehicle at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition on November 22. Specifically crafted to suit the needs of audiences in China and Europe, this further advances the brand’s desire to offer a portfolio of electrified powertrain choices for diverse audiences worldwide. #LexusElectrified #ExperienceAmazing
