Lexus Teases New Modular EV Concept, Will Make Debut Next Month At Japan Mobility Show



Lexus (like its mainstream corporate running mate Toyota) is going all-in on electrification to motivate its automobiles moving forward. While it will be a few more years before we see a true EV lineup emerge, the brand has released a teaser image in its home market of Japan that suggests a key milestone model is coming and that it will also debut next month at the Japan Mobility Show.

 

Modular EV Concept Signals A Big Move From Lexus

The shadowy teaser image Lexus released today doesn’t reveal too much of the car itself, but we do get to see its LED daytime running lights on full display, as well as the core shape, which appears to adopt a coupe-like appearance. The currently unnamed vehicle would be Lexus’s first formal all-electric car, with the brand’s prior production EVs being focused exclusively on the utility vehicle segment with the RZ and the UX 300e models. These two focus on hot-selling segments of the vehicle market, but the RZ is still rolling out into the marketplace, and the UX is a Europe-only exclusive.

Lexus is ultimately planning to offer an electrified option for a wider pool of buyers, including sedan entries to help lure in buyers who might not want a utility vehicle to experience all-electric commuting. A key takeaway from this concept is that it will debut a new simplified EV production process, with the brand planning to use a three-piece modular platform in its next-gen EV models that reduces part processes and enhances productivity as well.

 

When Will We See It?

The Lexus Modular EV Concept will make its debut in October at the Japan Mobility Show. We look forward to seeing the concept in the flesh while also getting answers to key questions. One of them will be the type of battery pack that will underpin the concept. Lexus and Toyota reps in the past have stated that their next-generation EV offerings will benefit from two battery pack options. The first one will be a classic lithium-ion battery pack that is capable of going up to 427 miles on a single charge. Buyers looking for a less expensive option will be directed to the lithium-ion phosphate battery pack that’s slated to get 327 miles of range. This latter pack is also a cost-saving move by Toyota and costs 40 percent less than the battery pack that’s currently used in the bZ4X.