The upcoming 2026 debut of a high-end electric saloon car is made possible by the new Lexus LF-ZC concept and the new model is one of two electric vehicle designs that Toyota's luxury brand has shown off at the Tokyo auto show. The other is a teaser for an upcoming flagship SUV, the LF-ZL. Along with the production LFA, both vehicles are badged with the company's concept car designation, LF, or Lexus Future.
- LF-ZC will provide a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers.
- to begin manufacturing by 2026
Lexus LF-ZC battery and range
The manufacturer stated that when the LF-ZC goes into production, its top-spec model will have a 1,000 km range and that other models with fewer ranges will be released. It is based on a new common design that will serve as the foundation for various upcoming Lexus and Toyota battery-electric vehicles. According to the company it has next-generation prismatic batteries that will give greater energy efficiency. The Toyota FT-3e, Lexus LF-ZL, and Toyota FT-Se all share the same basis as the LF-ZC and its modular design allows it to be employed with a wide range of powertrain options as well as vehicles of various sizes and types. Lexus also claims that various components in its design help to minimize weight.
The company used a technology known as 'gigacasting,' in which the modular construction is essentially divided into three parts, and the batteries are supposed to be put in the center of the car, giving the front and rear components more freedom and there will also greater part integration, which the company claims would improve stiffness.
Lexus has not revealed any technical specifics about the LF-ZC's powertrain but it has stated that it would be available with a single motor and rear-wheel drive. A four-wheel-drive vehicle with dual motors will also be available and the company says it wants to reach "twice the range of conventional BEVs" by using next-generation batteries and improving energy efficiency.
Lexus suggests that the production version of the LF-ZC will most likely use the company's new Arene operating system which it claims will have an "unprecedented effect" on driving dynamics by being able to replicate the driving characteristics of different types of cars, allowing the driver to adjust the handling to suit their preferences. This implies that Lexus may eventually sell the "manual" EV transmission that it is presently developing in conjunction with the production version of the LF-ZC.
Lexus LF-ZC exterior and interior design
The concept has dimensions of 4,750 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, 1,390 mm in height, and 2,890 mm in wheelbase. The car's low drag coefficient of 0.2 and low-slung design serve to maximize range. Aerodynamic optimization is given a lot of attention in the exterior design, which features the most recent iteration of Lexus' design language. The rear wheel arches have been enlarged to improve the car's stance, while the front end still has a variation of the iconic Lexus "spindle."
On the inside, there is a strong steering yoke with steer-by-wire technology, and the principal controls are dispersed around the cockpit area on a variety of digital pads. The left pad is utilized for operational purposes like safety systems, driver assistance features, and drive mode settings while the right pad is used for audio and climate control, among other things.
Additionally, there is a "distant view meter," which projects information onto the windscreen and functions similarly to a heads-up display and the firm says the digital wing mirrors on the automobile will aid in the driver's ability to stay focused. Additionally, an "ultra-wide" monitor with infotainment and other apps is included for the front passenger.