Variations in Design and Performance Among All Electric Vehicles?
In the heart of Shanghai, Lexus International made a grand entrance at the Auto Shanghai motor show, unveiling their latest creations and reaffirming their commitment to meticulous craftsmanship, advanced technology, and exceptional comfort.
President Takashi Watanabe, who took the helm of Lexus International in March this year, made his first international motor show appearance. He shared the brand's approach to carmaking, emphasising the importance of maintaining Lexus's unique designs and driving experience as they shift towards battery electric vehicles (BEVs).
The Lexus LM, the brand's flagship MPV model, made its world premiere at the 10-day Auto Shanghai motor show. This luxury minivan embodies Lexus's spirit of craftsmanship, boasting an advanced hybrid powertrain, refined comfort, and exclusive features. The LM 500h model, in particular, features a hybrid system combining a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four petrol engine and electric motors, delivering a total system output of 371 PS (366 hp) and 550 Nm torque, with an all-wheel-drive setup enhancing performance and smoothness.
Lexus has refined the LM for better quietness and ride comfort, a critical aspect in cultivating a premium, serene cabin environment. The LM offers luxurious seating configurations, with both four-seat Executive variants and seven-seat options available. Each variant prioritises passenger comfort at a VIP level, providing features tailored for ultimate relaxation and space.
The LM blends Lexus’s hallmark attention to detail, materials, and advanced technology, delivering an exclusive luxury experience that differentiates it from typical MPVs. This reflects Lexus’s commitment to “Omotenashi” – the Japanese spirit of hospitality, ensuring customer-focused comfort and quality.
President Watanabe, who oversaw the development of Lexus's battery EV models, including the UX300e and RZ, and helped to propel the company's electrification strategy, aims to further enhance Lexus's unique driving feel and design through electrification technology. He expressed concern about the potential sameness of cars shifting to BEVs and emphasised the importance of maintaining Lexus's unique designs and driving experience.
Two customised RZ concepts embodied President Watanabe's ambition for Lexus. These innovative designs serve as the first concrete step toward realising the vision of a future with Lexus BEVs, as the RZ450e serves as a testament to this vision.
The Chinese market's rapid shift to electric and smart technologies was prominently on display at Auto Shanghai. The event also marked the introduction of the new President of Lexus International, Takashi Watanabe, who reiterated his goal to bring smiles to customers' faces by further advancing Lexus's unique designs and driving experience through electrification technologies.
Chairman Akio Toyoda has been involved in testing and improving Lexus cars, working directly with development teams. His influence is evident in President Watanabe's goal to create cars that make people smile, a vision he approved when he endorsed the RZ they developed.
The Lexus Electrified Sport Concept is a symbol of President Watanabe's vision for the brand, representing the sporty feel or suitable for outdoor activities that customers will still seek in an era of full-scale, widespread BEV adoption.
Generations of Lexus's craftspeople have remained dedicated to creating a sense of "comforting luxury," a tradition that continues to define the brand's carmaking philosophy. This commitment to excellence was evident in the unveiling of the Lexus LM and the RZ concepts at Auto Shanghai 2023.
[1] Source: Lexus International press release, Auto Shanghai 2023.
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