From the luxury that has offered Hybrids for longer than anyone finally comes their first all-electric product.
It’s still strange to think that the company that put hybrids on the automotive map has yet to sell a fully electric vehicle. While Toyota branded itself a “green” car company more than 20 years ago, we often forget that Lexus has been on the hybrid train for 15 years now. With the exception of the Lexus RX 400h, most were quite cool but incredibly forgettable. Think GS 450h, CT 200h, HS 250h and the big LS 600hL. Although most think that Toyota sells electric vehicles, it has yet to happen. As for Lexus, it’s coming soon.
According to carscoops, Lexus is set to reveal their first production EV late next week at the 2019 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in China. The only details to work with at the moment are an image of an “ELECTRIC” logo very much in Lexus font and what was the LF-30 Electrified Concept on display at last month’s Tokyo Motor Show.
This EV featured an electric motor mounted in each wheel providing maximum flexibility. The LF-30 can be driven as front-, rear- or AWD vehicle depending on requirement. More importantly, the combined output is of 536-horsepower.
There’s a 99.99% chance that the production vehicle will not look like the gullwing-ed LF-30. We’re guessing it’ll be an SUV and not a six-figure supercar-like animal. Lexus said, in a brief press release: “Specifically crafted to suit the needs of audiences in China and Europe, this further advances the brand’s desire to offer a portfolio of electrified powertrain choices for diverse audiences worldwide.”