Important Innovations

  Lexus' First All-Electric SUV RZ 450e                                        Source:  Lexus RZ & E-Supercar New Suite of Electric Concepts Luxury brand Lexus is going electric in a very big way.  It has revealed its first all-electric SUV, the RZ 450e. It will roll out in late 2022.  Lexus has also unveiled a fleet of all-electric concept vehicles, including a supercar, a big SUV and a sedan.  For Lexus, this is the start of their future of electromobility.  They have big plans and target selling nothing but electric vehicles in the US, Europe and China by 2030.  Lexus says it will be selling only EVs globally by 2035.  And by 2030, it plans to be selling 3.5 million EVs a year. With Toyota and Lexus cutting edge technologies, it should be an epic new ride. RZ The RZ is a mid-sized SUV in the BEV category or battery electric vehicle.  BEVs have to be plugged in to charge the battery which powers the electric motors. Electricity is the only source of power for BEVs.  The RZ is

   Near Zero Emissions Off-Highway Adventures                                                   Source:  Lexus Combustion Engine Powered by Hydrogen Lexus has developed an especially cool, hydrogen powered recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV) concept.  The Lexus ROV is a piece of unique automotive technology.  The powertrain is breakthrough.  It has a 1.0-liter combustion engine that is fueled by compressed hydrogen.  Lexus says it operates just like a gas- powered combustion engine with one exception: there are near zero emissions. New Technology The hydrogen combustion engine is a look into the future of greener, cleaner driving.  The compressed hydrogen is stored in a high- pressure tank in the rear of the vehicle.  Lexus says the hydrogen fuel is pumped into the engine by what Lexus calls a "direct hydrogen injection".  The vehicle produces near zero emissions. There is only a tiny amount of engine oil that burns during operation. Next Steps to an Epic Ride Lexus is con

  Near Zero Emissions Off-Highway Adventures                                                   Source:  Lexus Combustion Engine Powered by Hydrogen Lexus has developed an especially cool, hydrogen powered recreational off-highway vehicle (ROV) concept.  The Lexus ROV is a piece of unique automotive technology.  The powertrain is breakthrough.  It has a 1.0-liter combustion engine that is fueled by compressed hydrogen.  Lexus says it operates just like a gas- powered combustion engine with one exception: there are near zero emissions. New Technology The hydrogen combustion engine is a look into the future of greener, cleaner driving.  The compressed hydrogen is stored in a high- pressure tank in the rear of the vehicle.  Lexus says the hydrogen fuel is pumped into the engine by what Lexus calls a "direct hydrogen injection".  The vehicle produces near zero emissions. There is only a tiny amount of engine oil that burns during operation. Next Steps to an Epic Ride Lexus is cont

  Off-Highway Vehicle Powered by Hydrogen Source:  Lexus Lexus Goes on the Road Less Travelled With a Mystery Vehicle Lexus is taking a drive in its new bronze colored, off road dune buggy on the road less travelled.  The new vehicle, dubbed the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle concept, is powered by hydrogen.  Not only is the new hydrogen dune buggy unique for Lexus.  So too is the hydrogen powertrain that powers it.  Lexus is using compressed hydrogen to fuel an internal combustion engine.  The vehicle is not equipped with the traditional hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor.  Parent company Toyota has been experimenting with this new hydrogen technology for several years and has incorporated it into the new Lexus dune buggy. Lexus Innovation Mystery Vehicle Lexus disclosed the existence of this mystery concept dune buggy/recreational vehicle (RV) at the end of a video announcing its all new 2022 LV SUV.  Interest in the RV vehicle has caught fire.  The off-roader is edgy, stylish a

 Lexus Teases an   Off-Roading, Fun, Hydrogen Vehicle Source:  Lexus Lexus Goes on the Road Less Travelled With a Mystery Vehicle Lexus is taking a drive in its new bronze colored, off road dune buggy on the road less travelled.  The new vehicle, dubbed the Off-Highway Recreational Vehicle concept, is powered by hydrogen.  Not only is the new hydrogen dune buggy unique for Lexus.  So too is the hydrogen powertrain that powers it.  Lexus is using compressed hydrogen to fuel an internal combustion engine.  The vehicle is not equipped with the traditional hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor.  Parent company Toyota has been experimenting with this new hydrogen technology for several years and has incorporated it into the new Lexus dune buggy. Lexus Innovation Mystery Vehicle Lexus disclosed the existence of this mystery concept dune buggy/recreational vehicle (RV) at the end of a video announcing its all new 2022 LV SUV.  Interest in the RV vehicle has caught fire.  The off-roader is edg

  2022 Lexus LQ                                        Source:  Lexus LF-1 Concept New Design & New Course for Lexus The 2022 Lexus LQ is the luxury brand's new flagship SUV to be unveiled in early 2022.  Lexus has previewed the vehicle with the impressive LF-1 concept.  Lexus says the LQ will set a radically new course for Lexus SUVs and the focus of the vehicle is luxury not on off-roading.  The LQ will sport an all new design with a strong, straight roofline, a wide body and new grill configuration.  It will be taller and wider than its predecessors.   It will have a very dynamic appearance with strong styling lines from the hood to the back of the SUV. An Interior that is User Centric The interior of the vehicle will be ultra-plush and user centric. The LF-1's LED light show in the grill will likely be incorporated into LQ to welcome passengers as they get ready to jump onboard the vehicle.  The cabin will contain Lexus' latest infotainment center along with an opti

  2022 Lexus LQ Will Lead Way for Lexus SUVs                                        Source:  Lexus LF-1 Concept New Design & New Course for Lexus The 2022 Lexus LQ is the luxury brand's new flagship SUV to be unveiled in early 2022. It looks like a beauty! Lexus has previewed the vehicle with the impressive and stunning LF-1 concept.  Lexus says the LQ will set a radically new course for Lexus SUVs and the focus of the vehicle is luxury not on off-roading.  The LQ will sport an all new design with a strong, straight roofline, a wide body and new grill configuration.  It will be taller and wider than its predecessors.   It will have a very dynamic appearance with strong styling lines from the hood to the back of the SUV. An Interior that is User Centric The interior of the vehicle will be ultra-plush and user centric. The LF-1's LED light show in the grill will likely be incorporated into LQ to welcome passengers as they get ready to jump onboard the vehicle.  The cabin will

  Shanghai and California Based Autonomous Driving Company                                                                                Source:  Pony.ai Lexus SUV Backed by Toyota China startup Pony.ai has just secured $267 million, on top of a recent $462 million, in another round of funding. That values the company at $5.3 billion, which makes it the world's most valuable independent autonomous driving startup. It has a much higher valuation than rivals Nuro and Aurora. Toyota Backed The Shanghai and Fremont, California based company is backed by Toyota, with which it is exploring mobility solutions.  Bottom-line:  this is a very hot startup.  And the funding for it comes at a time when global automakers, technology firms and investors, as well as Tesla, Uber and Waymo, are pouring money into developing self-driving vehicles. Timeline and Plans Pony.ai plans to use the funding to develop technology and expand its fleet.  In early 2019, it started developing autonomous truck tec

New Concept:  Hikari Changes Shape, Changes Light Source:  Lexus Hikari Concept Car Not Your Father's Lexus It's called the Lexus Hikari, which in Japanese means light and the principle of light in motion.  This is an incredible new concept car.  Let's just say it's not your average Lexus.  The Hikari changes shape to let the ambience of light into the car or  shade it for a more comfortable drive.  The flexible exterior enables the dynamic use of light. The e-rubber exterior of the vehicle is a next generation material that holds a surface together while allowing it to bend without showing any visible creasing.  And, there's a lot more to this incredible car. Hydrogen Powered and Autonomous The Hikari is autonomous.  It's hydrogen powered and lined with fuel cells. There are no visible doors and windows.  The roof controls the ambience to enable the "driver" to work in sunlight or in a shady, more comfortable space as the vehicle auto

Toyota's Level 2 Self-Driving Lexus for 2020 Source:  Lexus Automated Highway Teammate The roads are about to become more crowded with autonomous cars.  Hyundai is starting autonomous ride sharing in California next month to test market demand.  And Toyota will debut an autonomous Lexus in 2020.  The vehicle will be equipped with what Toyota is calling its Level 2 Automated Highway Teammate - its new autonomous driving technology. Level 2 Lexus is going to start going autonomous at Level 2.  That means no-hands cruise control, under certain conditions, with the driver behind the wheel and their eyes on the road.  The new Teammate system goes beyond standard Level 2 functions like keeping the car within the lane and working the accelerator and breaks while following the leader car.  The Toyota system can handle lane changes and merging.  It can also learn and receive updates to increase its functionality on a continuing basis.