The future of luxury cars is not in the form of a limousine, according to Lexus, which is why the Japanese premium brand completely reinterpreted its flagship model at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Lexus has simply named its bold concept car the LS Concept, a futuristic limousine bus with two sliding doors, three axles, four rear seats and six wheels. The Japanese VIP shuttle – which was unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show alongside two other LS concepts – invites its lucky occupants to discover their own luxurious living space. The LS Concept also heralds a dramatic shift in the brand’s design language and positioning within the Toyota Group.
Simon Humphries , Lexus' chief designer and brand director, said the premium brand enjoys greater creative freedom now that Toyota has transformed Century into an ultra-luxury brand, taking over the leadership role within the group. The British designer spoke at the Tokyo Motor Show about Lexus' goal to challenge conservative ideas about luxury brands.
“Since the Lexus LS was introduced in 1989, the rules of the luxury market have changed dramatically. Luxury sedans used to dominate the automotive world. Now they are fighting a losing battle with SUVs. People want completely different experiences. Our customers want to define things on their own terms. They want space and freedom to manage their time with maximum efficiency. And they are not afraid to challenge the status quo to achieve this ideal. Lexus has always been more than four wheels. We have never shied away from the challenge of discovering new products, new services, new experiences. And now we are reinterpreting our flagship. LS no longer stands for Luxury Sedan or Luxury SUV, but for Luxury Space. I promised the future would be about more than four wheels, but you probably didn’t expect six wheels! When the door opens, you are teleported to a private space far from home. a place where you can discover your own sanctuary. Six wheels revolutionize car design. Maximized floor space. Barrier-free access. An environment you can call your own. Space is freedom. And space is privacy. Two commodities that are simply priceless. In a crazy world, what greater luxury could there be? Our customers are looking for variety, even in the top models. Because the reality in this segment now is that people no longer want just one type of car, especially not from a global perspective.” – said Humphries at the world premiere at the Japan Mobility Show.
While Lexus already introduced a luxury MPV in 2020 in the form of the hybrid-powered LM, the new LS concept previews an even larger and more luxurious flagship model that would sit above it. The six-wheel layout was chosen to provide more interior space (using smaller wheels on the rear axle) by minimizing the floor space taken up by the wheel arches.
“The six-wheel configuration presents many difficult challenges” – he said Toyoda Akio, Toyota's president, in a previously released factory video.
“There are certain expectations for the Lexus brand – for example, quietness and excellent ride comfort; we are confident that we can achieve these with six wheels. Although the concept car is still far from being realized, everyone is serious about it. We will definitely do it.” – he added.
In the case of the LS Concept, a sliding door opens into a four-seat luxury cave packed with cutting-edge technology, which is flexible and made from high-quality materials, such as side blinds made from bamboo and wood. The concept, which is primarily intended as a chauffeur-driven car, features an unusual horn-shaped steering wheel instead of a traditional steering wheel, suggesting that the MPV will be equipped with electronic “by wire” steering, similar to the Lexus RZ.
Digital displays surround the driver on the minimalist dashboard, but basic functions must be controlled via mini-touchscreens that look like large, chunky physical buttons.
Unfortunately, Lexus has not yet released the technical specifications and dimensions of the LS Concept, and has not officially indicated whether it plans to produce it in series. The study is likely to use a version of Toyota's e-TNGA modular architecture designed for electric cars. The LS Concept is also an important car because it will debut Lexus' new design language. Toyota Group President Akio Toyoda previously asked the premium brand's leaders to abandon the characteristic spindle-shaped grille design, as it is impossible to further develop it. Instead, the spindle motif has been transferred to the entire body, for example, the daytime running lights on the nose. They did not want to abandon it completely, because it has been one of the main characteristics of Lexuses since it first appeared on the grille of the 2011 LF-Gh study car, and then on the series GS based on it.
Many car manufacturers have tried to build six-wheeled cars in the past, but most have abandoned the concept early on due to its complexity. The most notable example is the Tyrrell P34 Formula 1 car that raced from 1976-77, which had four wheels at the front, all of which turned when cornering. Also worth mentioning is the Mercedes-AMG G 63 6×6, produced from 2013-2015, which, like the Lexus, had four wheels at the back, but not for space, but to improve off-road capability.
Photos: Lexus
Published by Smarter Media Communications Agency (http://news.smartermedia.hu)
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