Futuristic Lexus LF-ZC and LF-ZL unveiled

LEXUS has revealed two battery electric vehicle (BEV) concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show – the LF-ZC and LF-ZL “pushing the boundaries of the electrified experience”.

The duo is said to show the Japanese luxury manufacturers future vision for cars and mobility as it moves into the electric age, both riding on a completely new modular structure, assembled with innovative “gigacasting” production technology, and boasting an advanced software platform Lexus says will reimagine the luxury car experience.

And don’t think for a moment that the concepts are far-flung design exercises. Lexus says the LF-ZC (Lexus Future Zero-emissions Catalyst) concept is a taste of what’s to come in 2026, while the LF-ZL (Lexus Future Zero-emissions Luxury) flagship is perhaps a little further off.

Measuring 4750mm in length, 1880mm in width, 1390mm in width and riding on a 2890mm wheelbase, the LF-ZC is said to offer elevated driving dynamics, an uncompromised design, and new exclusive services aimed at enriching the lives of Lexus customers.

It is said to feature a low centre of gravity and a compact silhouette with sleek proportions and a roomy cabin.

The ZF-ZL, meanwhile, is a segment larger measuring 5300mm long, 2020mm wide, 1700mm high and with 3350mm between the axles. It aims to offer a prestigious ownership experience beyond just the car, showcasing advancements from the company’s forthcoming Arene OS software platform.

A spacious and relaxing cabin takes advantage of BEV-specific packaging to “ensure an unparalleled experience” that is “more advanced and pleasurable”.

Lexus says the integration of its Arene OS software platform enables the vehicle to “learn and anticipate the driver’s needs, resulting in a truly personalised mobility experience”.

The system is able to interact with a range of “societal infrastructure services” and features a suite of onboard sensors that are said to work in conjunction with digital data from the vehicle’s surroundings.

As a result, when drivers point to objects or places of interest during their journey, the car’s display can provide information and voice guidance, enhancing the connection between car and driver.

Furthermore, the utilisation of “big data” allows management of the vehicle’s charging process and power supply, enabling the vehicle to “seamlessly connect to the network and become an integral part of the societal infrastructure when parked”.

Sitting in a low and forward position in the cabin is said to provide the occupants with a sense of interior spaciousness, the flat floor and panoramic roof adding to a feeling of “expansiveness” and resulting in an “unexpectedly open cabin not apparent from the exterior”.

The vehicles controls are consolidated into digital pads that sit within arm’s reach, the driving controls grouped to the left and convenience features to the right. This approach, Lexus says, allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road, as does the integrated head-up display and digital mirrors.

Passengers can enjoy an “expansive monitor” with a range of diverse applications Lexus says broaden the prospects for future mobility.

Stepping back outside, we find an aerodynamically sculpted body whose low-slung bonnet and prominent wheel arches form an integral part of Lexus’ Provocative Simplicity design theme. The spindle body design flows beyond the frontal mask, continuing in profile through the doors and to the rear bumper, symbolising what designers says is the “all-encompassing evolution of function and design through electrification”.

Lexus has not revealed further specification details of the all-wheel drive duo, saying only that it will provide seamless drivability control and an intuitive steer-by-wire system, high aerodynamic performance, and twice the driving range of conventional BEVs.