The New Lexus Powerboat Concept (Photos)
Lexus has been a trusted brand for many enthusiasts for a long time. Now Lexus looks to make a foray into the aquatic world with its new prototype powerboat.
1. Make a splash
With other luxury automakers like Aston Martin and Mercedes entering the performance-oriented world of powerboats, Lexus has decided to toss its hat into the ring. The prototype by Lexus is a sleek and sexy concept that's development has been in the works for a few years now. It all started when Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda tested a line of boats from the Toyota Marine Division. He was taken with the power, handling. and stability in the boats and wanted something in that same vein but with add luxury and performance that would be right at home with a Lexus badge.
>>Join the conversation about the New Lexus Powerboat Concept right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
2. Sport Yacht for the people
The ensuing design was an open sport boat that was capable of carrying up to eight passengers in elegant style. The boat (recently launched in Florida) is just that. Powered by twin Lexus V8s and looking as if it came right out of Blade Runner, the powerboat certainly has the performance and styling needed in the aquatic world down pat.
>>Join the conversation about the New Lexus Powerboat Concept right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
3. Great place to spend a day
The cabin is forward and appointed with Lexus-grade leather to seat the pilot and their passengers over the wavy waters. There are also details of wood and glass that bring another piece of familiarity from the cars to the boats making a transition from land to sea that much easier. There is a sofa with seating for six, along with a table and air conditioning to make humid afternoons bearable on the open seas. The galley features a two-burner stove, sink, and under-counter refrigerator.
>>Join the conversation about the New Lexus Powerboat Concept right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
4. Beautiful intensity
Those twin V8s that were mentioned earlier are 5.0-liter gasoline engines that are the same units that power the RC F, GS F, and new LC 500. Each of these engines is good for 440 horsepower and together can push the boat to 43 knots (49 mph) through a pair of hydraulically controlled inboard/outboard stern-drives.
The captain can control and monitor onboard systems like the GPS navigation, digital charts, surface radar, underwater sonar, and entertainment systems from a touchscreen interface at the helm seat in the center of the boat. When the fun is over, a bow thruster with joystick control aids in the safe docking of the ship so you may return to land.
>>Join the conversation about the New Lexus Powerboat Concept right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
5. What could be
The construction of the boat implements lightweight materials that yield to be just 2,200 pounds lighter than a similar boat that just uses fiberglass reinforced plastic. The hull under the water is stepped so as to reduce resistance and to improve handling as well as balance at crucial high speeds.
Unfortunately, the Sports Yacht is still just a concept that is closed off to the general public as of this writing. However, with Toyota having put so much time, money, and development into making a real working concept, there is a good chance that we can possibly see this very soon powering over waves at our nearest ocean at some point in the near future. Here is the link to a video of the powerboat in action.
>>Join the conversation about the New Lexus Powerboat Concept right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
If you have maintenance or repair questions, the how-to section of Club Lexus is full of answers, so check it out.