Toyota's luxury arm Lexus showcases LF-ZL, LF-ZC Concept EVs at Japan Mobility Show 2023

Toyota has garnered vast criticism for its slow and dull response to the rapidly growing electric market globally, but now its luxury arm, Lexus, has showcased a pair of concept electric cars at the on-going Japan Auto Show 2023.

 

Lexus has put up two concept cars at the show, which are called the LF-ZL and LF-ZC. The two concept cars will become the foundation of Lexus upcoming full-scale electric SUV and an electric luxury  sedan.The short abbreviation LF-ZL stands for Lexus Future Zero Emission Luxury, while LF-ZC stands for Lexus Future Zero-Emission Catalyst. It is expected that the newly showcased concept cars will be launched by the year 2026. The concept car features advanced AI features and Lexus’s new generation Arene OS.

 

 

Both the concept cars are based upon a new EV architecture that will be used for future battery-powered electric vehicles from Toyota and Lexus.

 

The common architecture comprises a flat floor, a panoramic roof, and next-generation prismatic batteries for "improved energy efficiency. A new 'gigacasting' production process is used by Toyota's premium brand Lexus to create the modular structure that divides the car into three sections: the front, center, and rear. According to Lexus, this 'allows for increased form freedom while the integration of parts also increases rigidity for linear and natural vehicle dynamics'.

 

 

The Toyota FT-3e and Toyota FT-Se share the same platform as the LF-ZC and LF-ZL. Because of its modular design, it can be used with a variety of powertrain configurations and with vehicles of various sizes and types. Additionally, Lexus states that it has several components in its design that reduce weight.

 

 

Claimed Range

 

Both the concept cars feature 'next-generation prismatic high-performance batteries' that are claimed to offer approximately ‘twice the range of conventional BEVs’. As a result, the top-spec LF-ZC will have a claimed range of 1,000 kilometers. On the other hand, the LF-ZL, being an SUV, will have a slightly lower claimed range. Lexus also stated that the claimed range of 1,000 kilometers for the LF-ZC is for the top model, while the lower models will have a slightly lower claimed range.

 

Dimensions and Design

 

The LF-ZC is a saloon concept, and it is smaller than the LF-ZL concept in every possible manner.

 

 

	LF-ZC	LF-ZL
Length	4,750 mm	5,300 mm
Width	1,880 mm	2,200 mm
Height	1,390 mm	1,700 mm
Wheelbase	2,890 mm	3,350 mm

 

 

The LF-ZL appears to take design cues from the current RZ 450e electric SUV, but in order to differentiate this car from others, some visual elements have been redesigned. Its redesigned grille, svelte and sculpted body, long bonnet, and well-rounded cabin area are its most notable features.

 

 

The LF-ZC features a sleek silhouette, a low-slung hood, Lexus' trademark' spindle grille,' flared rear wheel arches, and integrated aerodynamic elements such as air intakes and outlets. The aerodynamic design is said to have a drag coefficient of about 0.2.

 

Interior and Features

 

Lexus has added its next-generation Arene operating system to the LF-ZL, while the ZC is also expected to get it. Lexus claims that the next generation of Arene OS will provide ‘unprecedented experience in terms of vehicle driving dynamics’. The new software technology from the brand combines OTA updates with advanced AI (artificial intelligence) features. The AI in the LF-ZL is designed to "enhance the connection between occupants and their surroundings." According to Lexus, "When drivers point to objects or places of interest during their journey, the car's display promptly delivers information along with voice guidance" . This is made possible by the car's onboard sensors, which work in tandem with digital data from the environment.

 

 

The Lexus LF-ZL and LF-ZC have a steering yoke in place of conventional steering for the driver, implying a steer-by-wire system. Meanwhile, the main controls have been moved to the digital pad. The left digital pad controls functions such as shifting, ADAS, and drive mode selection, while the right pad controls infotainment and AI. The concepts also make use of a next-generation voice recognition system and take advantage of AI advancements.