‘Revolutionary’ Next-Generation Lexus EV Set to Debut at the Japan Mobility Show
The Lexus EV concept set to debut at the Japan Mobility Show features a next-gen battery and architecture with vastly improved range.
As Lexus fans are well aware by now, the brand’s very first global all-electric vehicle – the RZ – is, well somewhat disappointing for a number of reasons. While the RZ is a nice-looking vehicle with a luxurious interior and loads of tech features, we’re referring more to its output and range. While 308 horsepower is not too shabby, the RZ is outgunned in that regard by many of its rivals – chiefly, the Tesla Model Y – and 220 miles of range isn’t exactly competitive in this segment, either, especially since the RZ is also priced higher than much of its competition. It’s clear that the company needs to develop a next-generation Lexus EV with better battery tech, and that’s precisely what’s happening, the brand has revealed.
This next-generation Lexus EV will feature not only a new battery pack, but also a “revolutionary” modular vehicle body structure, according to the brand, which will be built using a very different production method, it notes. Touting a new software platform as well, this new Lexus EV is set to launch in 2026, but we won’t have to wait much longer to see it in the flesh. In fact, it’s set to make its official debut in October at the Japan Mobility Show.
While this is all the information that Lexus provided us with, YouTuber Kirk Kreifels took more of an in-depth look at the announcement in a recent video, noting that Toyota will be using a gigacast that’s capable of making one-third of a car body in roughly three minutes, which is critical to speeding up production and reducing costs. This gigacast essentially builds three components of a car body – the front and rear of the vehicle, along with the portion that contains the battery pack. These future Toyota and Lexus EV models will be built on a very automated production line as well, one that ditches things like conveyer belts in favor of autonomy.
In addition to this new model, Lexus is also set to show off two new battery types at the Japan Mobility Show – a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) unit that will power more standard, mass-market vehicles, and a higher-end prismatic cell-based battery that uses a nickel cobalt manganese chemistry designed for use in higher-end models and flagships. According to Toyota, this particular battery is capable of increasing range to around 450-500 miles, which is obviously a massive improvement compared to its current products.
Future Toyota and Lexus EV models will also charge much faster thanks to this new 800v architecture, which enables them to go from a 10 percent state of charge to 80 percent in around 20 minutes. Of course, Toyota is also investing heavily in developing solid state batteries, which are expected to represent the next big breakthrough in battery tech – and power the long-rumored all-electric LFA successor, to boot. In the meantime, it seems as if we won’t have to wait much longer to see the next-generation of Lexus EV models, which will seemingly be far more competitive in this fast-growing segment moving forward.
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