According to Motor Trend, Toyota President Akio Toyoda has signed off on the development of a Lexus electric supercar:
The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds.
The car is expected to produce more than 500 horsepower and would sprint from 0 to 60 mph in around 4 seconds. Like the E-Cell, the Toyota is expected to route power through four electric motors, one at each wheel. It will also incorporate a switch that allows drivers to select between driving programs such as comfort, sport and super sport, thus permitting drivers to regulate battery use.
It’s expected to debut around 2015, and we are first to reveal how one artist in Japan sees the as-yet-unnamed vehicle as it might look attacking the Nurburgring in Germany. The large grille and air intakes beside the headlights are viewed as critical to provide sufficient cooling for the electric motors. The vehicle would reportedly borrow undisclosed know-how from Tesla and utilize aerodynamic expertise gained from the Lexus LFA project.
With the Tesla partnership already moving ahead full steam, this rumor wouldn’t be a total surprise — except for the fact that it suggests this will be a new vehicle instead of an electric version of the LFA. Considering that both Merecedes & Audi have shown electric concepts of their supercars, it suggests Lexus will be trying a different direction.
Now, tt’s always my tendency to look in the SC’s direction any time a new sportscar is mentioned, and it would fit with my belief that the new partnership with Telsa will produce the Sport Coupe’s third generation, but it’s doubtful the SC would be positioned against the Mercedes SLS E-Cell & Audi R8 e-Tron — however, it would be suitable competition to the rumored Audi R4 e-Tron, not to mention the Tesla Roadster.
Plenty of room for interesting speculation, here’s another angle on the Holiday Auto illustration:
[Source: Motor Trend]
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