More than 20 years ago, Lexus and parent company Toyota pioneered gasoline-electric hybrid technology. However, both companies have been reluctant to release a fully electric model. This is about to changes, as Lexus is already planning to offer an electrified version of all of its vehicles, set to be completed by 2025.
The term "electrified" can mean several things. In auto speak, it could mean fuel cell, electric, a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. But Lexus aims to use all of these strategies, Koji Sato, VP of Lexus, himself said. As for the type of powertrain each model will get, Sato says that will depend on some specific factors, including packaging constraints and market demand.
Lexus is keeping the full technical specs from the public for now, but Sato says the company is preparing to invest a huge sum to into a platform that will help develop the electric vehicles. The automaker's research and development wing are also working on a setup to allow the wheels to operate independently, although Sato did admit the technology isn't ready for production yet.
"The in-wheel motor is just a concept, it will take years to make that technology possible, but we will continue to pursue this exciting technology," Sato said.
With regard to the common thinking that electric vehicles have no need for cool air, experts say this is not true. EVs still need cooling air, albeit less when compared to traditional, engine-running cars. What this means for future Lexus cars is that they could come without a huge grille on its front end. For Lexus to get rid of this styling is a massive effort and might be quite difficult for people to get used to, Lexus design head Koichi Suga said in an interview with Digital Trends.
When a change in design language is being considered by a company, straying away from a dominant style isn't an easy feat to accomplish. Suga says that tot take away the spindle grille is challenging because it could affect the personality of the company as a whole.
Presumably, Lexus hasn't quite decided yet what its electrified cars would look like, but Sato promised a reveal of a newly designed, tech-savvy concept at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Show. Word is that Lexus will completely stray away from its usual aesthetics, and the vehicle won't easily fit into an existing market segment. We can only imagine for now, but we won't have to wait that long.
