Skip advert
Advertisement

New Lexus LF-30 electric car concept wows Tokyo show

The Lexus LF-30 concept car has been unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show providing a glimpse of the brand's future

This is the Lexus LF-30, a Tokyo Motor Show debut designed to preview how the Japanese manufacturer would take a bespoke electric car platform and turn it into a production model.

The LF-30 is a dramatic-looking flagship model, with an overall length over five metres. It’s not a direct concept linked to any production car, but rather a showcase to highlight the fact that Lexus’s first all-electric model - a conversion of an existing hybrid vehicle, most likely - is due in 2020.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The best electric cars to buy now

The concept demonstrates further evolution of Lexus’s design language, incorporating the lengthy wheelbase and floor-mounted battery that are common on bespoke EV platforms.

It also reveals two targets of Lexus’s long-term electric car ambitions. The LF-30 has four in-wheel motors, and Takashi Watanabe, the chief engineer on Lexus’s electric vehicle programme, told us, “At this time, what we adopted in the concept car is one of the specific examples for electrification in the future that we want to use. We want to develop in-wheel motors for use in electrified vehicles.”

In addition, the car has no visible charging port - because Lexus is evaluating how wireless charging can make EV ownership more ‘premium’ and luxurious by doing away with cables and ports. “In the future we want to enhance the convenience of charging,” Watanabe said, “so we wanted a contactless charging system that didn’t use cables. We’ll hope to accelerate our development so that we can achieve this contactless charging system as soon as possible.”

Let us know what you think of the Lexus LF-30 in the comments...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Lexus planning a thrilling new range of ultra high-performance models
Lexus LBX Morizo RR - dynamic front 3/4

Lexus planning a thrilling new range of ultra high-performance models

The long-lived RC F will be axed this year, but Lexus is set to unleash a new wave of exciting new performance-focused cars
News
17 Jan 2025
Return of the Mazda RX-7 draws close as Iconic SP is marked for production
Mazda ICONIC SP concept – front (doors closed)

Return of the Mazda RX-7 draws close as Iconic SP is marked for production

Mazda’s designer has said we can expect a production model “in the not-so-distant future”
News
7 Nov 2024

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it
Renault 5 - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: retro Renault 5 for £232 per month, plus four years to enjoy it

The reborn Renault 5 is one of the most feverishly anticipated cars in a long time, and at such a low price, our Deal of the Day for 8 February is a p…
News
8 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts