Radical Lexus concept teased

Lexus has issued fresh teaser images of a soon-to-be-revealed concept car that previews a radical new design direction for the premium brand.

Delivering its 2020 sales results today, which at 718,715 units reflected only a six per cent downturn in last year’s pandemic-struck global auto market, Lexus International president and chief branding officer Koji Sato said the Toyota-owned luxury car-maker is preparing to unveil a new “brand vision” that will be reflected in the concept.

The first production model to spring from the concept will also be launched this year.

Adding to other images that began surfacing in December, the latest shadowy teaser shots provide further evidence that Lexus is reinterpreting the dominant ‘spindle grille’ front-end styling – a hallmark of the brand in recent years – as a dedicated electrified vehicle platform prompts a wholesale redesign.

Perhaps the most intriguing image is the rear-end shot, which carries a double-bubble roofline, split glass and ‘LEXUS’ lettering in lieu of the brand’s stylised L logo.

A separate image shows part of what is clearly a long red LED lighting strip that runs across the full width at the rear, while the big haunches are obvious references to a broad stance that reflects the concept’s sporting nature.

“This year, Lexus will take a new step forward in aiming to make the diversified lifestyles of our customers more rewarding,” said Sato.

“This spring [Australian autumn], we will unveil our new brand vision, along with a new concept, which illustrates our intentions for the future and marking the beginning of the next generation of Lexus.

“Furthermore, we will launch the first model under our new vision within this year, and we will continue to introduce new models next year and beyond.

“From here on as well, by being considerate of our customers around the world and engaging in car-making that exceeds their expectations, we will continue to take up the challenge of delivering happiness to all people who come into contact with Lexus,” he said.

Lexus claims the new electrified concept “represents the future of the luxury driving experience” and that its design “introduces new movement, only made possible by electrification”.

As carsales has reported, the concept and the first production model under the new brand vision are expected to be based on Toyota’s latest e-TNGA architecture that will spawn an all-new small SUV for both Toyota and Subaru.

It also looks as though it will draw some styling cues from the 2019 Lexus LF-30 concept, while the brand has confirmed it will showcase its new DIRECT4 electric drive system.

Late last year, Lexus Australia confirmed that its first EV in Australia, the Lexus UX 300e, would be launched in November 2021.

Lexus sold 8846 vehicles in Australia last year, down 8.0 per cent on the previous year. The brand’s biggest market is North America, where it delivered about 297,000 new vehicles (-9%), followed by China (225,000, -11%), Europe (71,000, -19%) and Japan (49,000, -21%).