Toyota invokes LFA 'secret sauce' at EV unveil
Toyota has revealed 15 future models all at once - but it's the two sports car concepts which are interesting
You never quite know what you're going to get with this Lexus. This is the company that launched one of the 21st century's seminal supercars and whatever the CT200h is within two years of each other, don't forget. The LC500 is one of the best-looking cars on the road, which is not a compliment you'd necessary level at anything else in the lineup. And did you know there's a Lexus ES?
With the days of the sporting V8 Lexuses, however good they are, surely numbered, a new electric sports car concept has been revealed. Part of Toyota's sprawling electrification launch, with 15 concepts debuted and the promise of 30 new EVs by the end of the decade, the Electrified Sport promises "the secret sauce" of "the performance cultivated via the development of the LFA." Plainly Lexus isn't done with supercars just yet!
It certainly looks the part, with hints of Aston Vulcan thanks to the long nose and slender headlights. An aggressive aero package, low ride height, huge wheels tucked up in the arches and even a tow rope point suggest a high level of intent for the Electrified Sport. This could be the EV for enthusiasts that hasn't materialised just yet. "We will deliver a unique electrified Lexus that combines linear motor acceleration/deceleration, brake feeling and exhilarating handling to further pursue the joy of driving", said Akio Toyoda.
Lexus is promising a 0-62mph time "in the low 2 second range" for this car, with a cruising range in excess of 700km (435 miles) as well; apparently the use of solid state batteries - so frequently cited as the next big step for electric vehicles - is "possible". Regardless of powertrain, we're told to expect "the unique driving performance of a Lexus", which seems a tough one to pin down given the hit and miss nature of the current range. The overall message though is clear enough: battery electric vehicles are its future, but there are going to be interesting cars as well. The secret sauce "will extend the driving taste... to other models", added Toyoda.
Toyota isn't letting Lexus to do all the fun stuff, though, as its future lineup also includes a Sports EV. With everything from a Pickup to a Compact Cruiser to a Micro Box also shown in Brussels, there isn't loads dedicated to its concept of a future sports car. But there's a GR badge nestled into the grille, a mid-engined silhouette to mark it out from the Lexus, and some dramatic surfacing to ensure it looks like no other Toyota concept. A rebirth of the MR2 has been suggested - the GR MR perhaps - a conclusion it's hard to avoid when you spy the targa roof. Wouldn't matter if there was no luggage space, either, as that's MR2 tradition...
Predictably, Toyota's early investment in electrification is continuing to pay dividends; the giant carmaker reckons it will have sold 3.5m BEVs by 2030. Lexus is aiming for a "100 per cent battery electric mix in Europe, North America and China by 2030", with carbon neutrality in factories not far behind. By 2035, all Toyotas in West Europe will be zero emissions. If they look as good as the Electrified Sport - and drive as advertised - that certainly won't be all bad.
I still hope that someone does an EV that actually ticks some of the enthusiast boxes in terms of driver engagement. Toyoda is a real car nut, so hopefully he will be the one to make it happen.
What a comprehensive line up. I like Toyoda's enthusiasm for what he does. As said above, he is a bonkers car nut. Toyota make excellent products that work, work well and last. The quality is more than skin deep. Perhaps not seen as the most exciting cars in the world, but when they build a supercar, you can be confident that it is not made of chocolate. I would love to open my garage and see that range in there. A car for every purpose, pretty much. Let's hope this is the future and we can look forward to these from an innovative and robust company with the resources to deliver.
Toyota have tiny sales targets for Hydrogen, and even in their biggest market (USA) sales are declining year on year.
Hydrogen is just an energy store and consumes 3x the energy of a BEV so where is the infrastructure for that?
Although the blue one on the left is just an FJ. The two commercial vehicles (I assume the little one is...) on the right at the back are the most innovative.Toyota have tiny sales targets for Hydrogen, and even in their biggest market (USA) sales are declining year on year.
Hydrogen is just an energy store and consumes 3x the energy of a BEV so where is the infrastructure for that?
Some years ago, I was working on a project where Morgan (yes, Morgan!) were dabbling with the concept of hydrogen power. One thing is for sure, hydrogen is probably still safer than driving around with a nuclear reactor in the boot!
15 concept cars Toyota have made, and the BMW i3 is more adventurous than any of them...
What's the point of having Concept cars and not pushing the boat out.
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