At the end of last year, Lexus presented a series of electric prototypes as a preview of its future zero-emission range (Toyota’s premium firm will go 100% electric in China, the United States, and Europe in 2035). The one that aroused the most interest among the public was undoubtedly the suggestive Lexus Electrified Sport, a supercar conceived as heir to the remembered LFA.
This ultra-stylish two-seater, whose arrival on the market will take place in the middle of the decade, will premiere several firsts that will make it one of the most desired cars on the international scene: it is expected to be the first model of the Japanese group to mount solid electrolyte batteries, a technology that Toyota has been working on for years.
This will allow it to offer a range of 700 km (at the time it was not announced under which homologation cycle this estimate was calculated). Toyota’s solid electrolyte batteries will not only be characterized by their high energy density, but they should also allow the new Lexus “LFA” to offer very competitive charging times.
How could it be otherwise, its performance will be truly amazing, as it will be able to complete 0 to 100 km/h in just 2 seconds, placing it in the same league as the second-generation Tesla Roadster. Its chassis developed jointly with Mazda will come directly from the world of competition.
The new Lexus LFA will have solid electrolyte batteries
Everything indicates that the electric “LFA” will also debut a manual gearbox simulator, a technology whose patent was leaked at the beginning of the year. Koji Sato, president of Lexus, confirmed this point during a recent interview with the British media Top Gear.
“Specification is of course important, but I want this car to be a halo, a showcase for the future of Lexus driving dynamics, to express the overall driving signature of Lexus. The response of the vehicle is one of the advantages of the electric motor, the sudden torque is a unique character of an electric car: the driver can expect a faster reaction to the input from it ».
Sato explains that software-simulated manual shifting is currently under consideration, but all indications are that it hasn’t been given the green light yet. “It’s a hobby of mine, crazy. I am looking for a better compromise, even in an electric one, I want another link between the car and the driver. It’s not just about efficiency. I love cars and I want something different.
