Lexus ROV buggy revealed

Lexus has hinted that it is considering expanding its premium and luxury car division to include ultra-low-emissions all-terrain vehicles.

Instead of mirroring existing battery-electric tech used in off-road buggies, the Japanese brand has previewed an unusual hydrogen-powered vehicle called the Lexus ROV.

Claimed to "unlock a new kind of off-roading adventure for our customers in a true Lexus way", the ROV concept measures 3.1m long and 1.7m wide.

The headlights are clearly inspired by Lexus passenger cars, while the nose mimics its trademark spindle grille, without the chrome bars.

Inside, there's exposed carbon-fibre trim, a rev counter and limited switchgear.

The buggy is capable of running in two- or all-wheel drive (with or without the centre differential locked), but no performance claims have been released.

Instead of employing a hydrogen fuel-cell that has been pioneered by Lexus' parent Toyota, the ROV concept follows in the tyre tracks of the Toyota GR Yaris H2 (also revealed overnight) and runs a modified 1.0-litre combustion engine that burns hydrogen instead of petrol.

Like the Toyota Mirai, the majority of the ROV concept's emissions are water vapour, but there's also traces of both CO2 and NOx, with Lexus claiming its new side-by-side is close to being a zero-emissions vehicle.

Fuel-cells were ruled out for the ROV concept over cost, complexity and packaging issues.

For now, there are no plans to put the ROV concept into even limited production, but in the future the car-maker could enter the ATV/side-by-side business with an even more luxurious vehicle for the wealthy to go exploring.

Back in 2018, the car-maker launched its LY 650 – a $US3.4 million ($A5.27m) 65ft luxury yacht after it teamed up with Marquis Yachts.