New 65-foot Lexus watercraft features L-finesse styling, three staterooms, and several entertainment and lounge areas.
Lexus isn’t great at keeping a secret, but we love them for that. Yesterday, it released the following teaser image of something it called a “one-of-a-kind” on Twitter.
Judging by what appeared to be a stanchion in the background and the reflection of what seemed to be the end of a section of railing, we started thinking we were looking at something other than a car. Then we remembered Lexus loves to give previews of its upcoming creations. We went to its website and sure enough, there it was: the LY 650 “future yacht.”
That future is now. Lexus has released official images of the LY 650. It started life as the Lexus Sport Yacht concept, a 42-foot one-off made out of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic and powered by two 5.0-liter V8s that produce 885 horsepower and enable a top speed of 49 mph (43 knots). Like the concept, the LY 650 has a sleek, pointed bow, as well as a similar color scheme. According to Lexus, the production watercraft picks up where the Sport Yacht concept left off. The LY 650 is a much larger showcase of the brand’s L-finesse design language. Total length is 65 feet; beam measures 19 feet.
While Lexus’ official press release doesn’t say much in terms of the LY 650’s interior amenities, the Future section of Lexus’s website states it has “three lavish staterooms, and several multi-purpose entertainment and lounge areas.” We wouldn’t be surprised if the Sport Yacht concept’s shower; galley with two-burner stove, sink, and under-counter fridge; 4G WiFi; and Revolution Acoustics/Mark Levinson Reference sound system are also inside of the LY 650.
Lexus chose the Marquis-Larson Boat Group of Pulaski, Wisconsin, to build, sell, and service the LY 650. It will complete the first LY 650 in the second half of next year and formally debut it in late 2019.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.