Will The New Lexus Electric Supercar Fly Past Tesla?
23 Feb 2022
At a surprise and very exciting announcement this week in Japan, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda revealed Lexus' unprecedented plans to finally overhaul its lagging Toyota and Lexus electric vehicle lineups, and in the process, throw down the gauntlet to Tesla.
In a bold and ambitious plan to launch 30 new electric vehicles by 2030, the Japanese automotive brand also says that they plan to globally produce 3.5 million EVs a year and invest $18 billion into next-generation battery development. During the announcement, Toyoda also introduced the flagship of the luxury brand range named the Lexus Electrified Sport Concept. Or LES for short. The flagship is said to do zero to 60-mph in just 2.0 seconds. That means it would out-accelerate the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and even the Tesla Model S Plaid.
For the first time, Tesla has some legitimate competition to challenge their reign. All it takes is one look at the outrageous Lexus Electrified Sport Concept and you’d be forgiven for agreeing.
Lexus has revealed new images of the electric sports car that it plans to use as the figurehead for the ambitious electrification program it announced last year. When Lexus debuts its new all-electric supercar, whose name is still undetermined, it'll be the spiritual successor to the legendary LFA. The LFA coupe was made largely of carbon-fibre composite and featured a 553-hp V-10. Among the various all-electric models it has in its ambitious plans, including the usual spread of SUVs and saloon cars, this supercar is a natural halo model for the brand.
Lexus also revealed that the sports concept has around 435 miles of range, which impressively makes the range 170 miles more than the Taycan Turbo S. It is suggested that the Lexus may not only out-accelerate the Taycan but it will out-charge it as well in terms of charging times as Lexus plan to give the car new fast-charging solid-state batteries. The supercar concept has been earmarked as a possible early recipient of solid-state batteries. These new, solid-state batteries will be deployed in hybrid cars first, allowing it to "test and evaluate the technology" before rolling it out to pure-electric equivalents, if plans stay on track then the batteries are said to be installed in production EVs from the middle of the decade. Toyota president Akio Toyoda has confirmed that, until the technology has evolved enough to be used in a production vehicle, this new sports car will utilise lithium-ion battery technology.
“With the bold proportions and low ride height required for a high-performance sports car, the new model symbolises the future of the Lexus brand” Lexus press release
According to the Japanese brand, the likeness isn’t going to be immediate but will include subtle styling nods. These stylish similarities include the long front hood, triangular sections on the front bumper and headlight surrounds, a swooping roofline with a short back end, and the curvaceous buttresses that come up onto the rear fenders and windows. While reviving the spirit of the iconic Lexus LFA, this concept will arguably be Lexus' most advanced and exciting car it has ever made.
While Lexus calls this a sports car, industry insiders and motor leaders will immediately throw the word hypercar at this conceptual creation. Lexus built 500 LFA models and priced each at an upwards cost of £280,000 back in 2012 and even though we're told the brand's EV supercar is heavily influenced by that limited-production special, we're hopeful it's neither as expensive nor as exclusive. Still, we can only speculate on its starting price, and we'd wager that it's at least six figures.
Obviously, the EV supercar won't have an exotic internal-combustion engine. Instead, its incredible performance will come courtesy of powerful electric motors. Heading towards a future with a lineup composed entirely of electric vehicles, Lexus has revealed a concept of an all-electric supercar that's a perfect flagship for its electrified performance models. As it stands, Lexus has revealed very few details around the supercar and its EV lineup. What we do know is that with a solid-state battery packaged within its sleek bodywork, the Lexus EV supercar is going to give a good idea of what to expect.
This halo sports car will cap a plan for the total adoption of battery-electric technology across the Lexus line-up in European, Chinese and American markets by 2030, eventually phasing out combustion models globally by 2035. The first step in this total electrification will be the introduction of the brand’s first bespoke EV. Called the RZ, it’s a midsize SUV that will share its bespoke EV underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solara.
The concept car showcased also previews the next-generation design language that will debut in these new models, confirming that despite an electric powertrain, the coupe will share its classic sports car proportions of a long bonnet and cab-rear layout with the LFA. Lexus also revealed design studies for a larger SUV and a range of midsize models that look equivalent to the current IS in a saloon, estate, shooting brake and convertible forms.
While we can’t offer you any idea of leasing or buying options just yet, feel free to browse our impressive range of Lexus leases from a list of certified dealers. If you need more information on leasing or electric cars, check out our blog section for lots of helpful tips and advice.
In a bold and ambitious plan to launch 30 new electric vehicles by 2030, the Japanese automotive brand also says that they plan to globally produce 3.5 million EVs a year and invest $18 billion into next-generation battery development. During the announcement, Toyoda also introduced the flagship of the luxury brand range named the Lexus Electrified Sport Concept. Or LES for short. The flagship is said to do zero to 60-mph in just 2.0 seconds. That means it would out-accelerate the Porsche Taycan Turbo S and even the Tesla Model S Plaid.
For the first time, Tesla has some legitimate competition to challenge their reign. All it takes is one look at the outrageous Lexus Electrified Sport Concept and you’d be forgiven for agreeing.
Lexus has revealed new images of the electric sports car that it plans to use as the figurehead for the ambitious electrification program it announced last year. When Lexus debuts its new all-electric supercar, whose name is still undetermined, it'll be the spiritual successor to the legendary LFA. The LFA coupe was made largely of carbon-fibre composite and featured a 553-hp V-10. Among the various all-electric models it has in its ambitious plans, including the usual spread of SUVs and saloon cars, this supercar is a natural halo model for the brand.
Lexus also revealed that the sports concept has around 435 miles of range, which impressively makes the range 170 miles more than the Taycan Turbo S. It is suggested that the Lexus may not only out-accelerate the Taycan but it will out-charge it as well in terms of charging times as Lexus plan to give the car new fast-charging solid-state batteries. The supercar concept has been earmarked as a possible early recipient of solid-state batteries. These new, solid-state batteries will be deployed in hybrid cars first, allowing it to "test and evaluate the technology" before rolling it out to pure-electric equivalents, if plans stay on track then the batteries are said to be installed in production EVs from the middle of the decade. Toyota president Akio Toyoda has confirmed that, until the technology has evolved enough to be used in a production vehicle, this new sports car will utilise lithium-ion battery technology.
“With the bold proportions and low ride height required for a high-performance sports car, the new model symbolises the future of the Lexus brand” Lexus press release
According to the Japanese brand, the likeness isn’t going to be immediate but will include subtle styling nods. These stylish similarities include the long front hood, triangular sections on the front bumper and headlight surrounds, a swooping roofline with a short back end, and the curvaceous buttresses that come up onto the rear fenders and windows. While reviving the spirit of the iconic Lexus LFA, this concept will arguably be Lexus' most advanced and exciting car it has ever made.
While Lexus calls this a sports car, industry insiders and motor leaders will immediately throw the word hypercar at this conceptual creation. Lexus built 500 LFA models and priced each at an upwards cost of £280,000 back in 2012 and even though we're told the brand's EV supercar is heavily influenced by that limited-production special, we're hopeful it's neither as expensive nor as exclusive. Still, we can only speculate on its starting price, and we'd wager that it's at least six figures.
Obviously, the EV supercar won't have an exotic internal-combustion engine. Instead, its incredible performance will come courtesy of powerful electric motors. Heading towards a future with a lineup composed entirely of electric vehicles, Lexus has revealed a concept of an all-electric supercar that's a perfect flagship for its electrified performance models. As it stands, Lexus has revealed very few details around the supercar and its EV lineup. What we do know is that with a solid-state battery packaged within its sleek bodywork, the Lexus EV supercar is going to give a good idea of what to expect.
This halo sports car will cap a plan for the total adoption of battery-electric technology across the Lexus line-up in European, Chinese and American markets by 2030, eventually phasing out combustion models globally by 2035. The first step in this total electrification will be the introduction of the brand’s first bespoke EV. Called the RZ, it’s a midsize SUV that will share its bespoke EV underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solara.
The concept car showcased also previews the next-generation design language that will debut in these new models, confirming that despite an electric powertrain, the coupe will share its classic sports car proportions of a long bonnet and cab-rear layout with the LFA. Lexus also revealed design studies for a larger SUV and a range of midsize models that look equivalent to the current IS in a saloon, estate, shooting brake and convertible forms.
While we can’t offer you any idea of leasing or buying options just yet, feel free to browse our impressive range of Lexus leases from a list of certified dealers. If you need more information on leasing or electric cars, check out our blog section for lots of helpful tips and advice.