Lexus Continues Work on First Full-Electric Model

Posted by Kevin on April 23rd, 2019

Lexus is working on its first full-electric vehicle, according to an Automotive News interview with Lexus International President Yoshihiro Sawa:

“Definitely here we need an EV in the future,” Sawa said last week in an interview at the Shanghai auto show, where Lexus debuted its LM luxury van. “But I cannot say when or how.”

Lexus is working on plug-in hybrids and fuel cell vehicles in addition to EVs, Sawa noted. But plug-ins do not fulfill some regulatory requirements.

“It’s a transition era,” Sawa said. “We are studying several possibilities.”

Toyota introduced an all-electric version of the C-HR subcompact crossover at the same Shanghai Auto Show last week, with plans to start selling the model in China next year.

This move adds credence to last year’s rumor that the Lexus UX crossover, which shares a platform with the Toyota C-HR, will be the luxury brand’s first EV model. The only question is timing, which Sawa also addressed:

China’s strict emissions controls and mandates for electric vehicle credits are driving automakers into EVs. And Lexus will also need them in Europe, where certain cities have strict EV requirements, Sawa said. Launch timing will hinge on the course of regulation, he added.

Lexus UX: First GenerationTech
Popular Stories

Sorry. No data so far.

Comments
S
internalaudit
Which Lexus models do you think will be electrified first if the CT is really dead?

To me it's looking more like the UX will be first since it now sits on the new GA-C (maybe the same as TNGA) platform.
LS maybe? They are guaranteed to not lose money on a LS-BEV. Plus it can share a common architecture with the LS-FCV. Just replace the FC stack, the HVB, and the H2 tanks with battery packs and job done. I just made it sound like making the LS-BEV is much easier than the LS-FCV.
S
internalaudit
Which Lexus models do you think will be electrified first if the CT is really dead?

To me it's looking more like the UX will be first since it now sits on the new GA-C (maybe the same as TNGA) platform.
LS maybe? They are guaranteed to not lose money on a LS-BEV. Plus it can share a common architecture with the LS-FCV. Just replace the FC stack, the HVB, and the H2 tanks with battery packs and job done. I just made it sound like making the LS-BEV is much easier than the LS-FCV.
krew
ssun30
LS maybe? They are guaranteed to not lose money on a LS-BEV. Plus it can share a common architecture with the LS-FCV. Just replace the FC stack, the HVB, and the H2 tanks with battery packs and job done. I just made it sound like making the LS-BEV is much easier than the LS-FCV.
An interesting side story -- I was told that the LS+ Concept was going to be announced with a hydrogen-powertrain right up until the last minute. This was followed by the Toyota "EVs in 2020" announcement.

My feeling is that the LS will be one of the first Lexus models released as a BEV, but I also expect the UX to be right there with it.
krew
ssun30
LS maybe? They are guaranteed to not lose money on a LS-BEV. Plus it can share a common architecture with the LS-FCV. Just replace the FC stack, the HVB, and the H2 tanks with battery packs and job done. I just made it sound like making the LS-BEV is much easier than the LS-FCV.
An interesting side story -- I was told that the LS+ Concept was going to be announced with a hydrogen-powertrain right up until the last minute. This was followed by the Toyota "EVs in 2020" announcement.

My feeling is that the LS will be one of the first Lexus models released as a BEV, but I also expect the UX to be right there with it.
S
ssun30
LS maybe? They are guaranteed to not lose money on a LS-BEV. Plus it can share a common architecture with the LS-FCV. Just replace the FC stack, the HVB, and the H2 tanks with battery packs and job done. I just made it sound like making the LS-BEV is much easier than the LS-FCV.
p.s. head of bmw something at frankfurt said that their next ev will be X3, followed by Mini and i-next
S
ssun30
LS maybe? They are guaranteed to not lose money on a LS-BEV. Plus it can share a common architecture with the LS-FCV. Just replace the FC stack, the HVB, and the H2 tanks with battery packs and job done. I just made it sound like making the LS-BEV is much easier than the LS-FCV.
p.s. head of bmw something at frankfurt said that their next ev will be X3, followed by Mini and i-next
Ian Schmidt
If the LS BEV beat out the S-Class and 7 Series that would be a serious affirmative step on tech.
Ian Schmidt
If the LS BEV beat out the S-Class and 7 Series that would be a serious affirmative step on tech.
I
spwolf
p.s. head of bmw something at frankfurt said that their next ev will be X3, followed by Mini and i-next
I've been kinda following BMW's announcements.

now late 2019 (November production for the Mini as per BMW Canada executive)
2020 for the X3 and also for the 4 Gran Coupe (I thought initially) but it seems the latter will be replaced with the i-next which would likely not debut in 2020 but 2021

https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/da...workshops/Technology_Workshops_E-Mobility.pdf

I would still trust Toyota/Lexus more than any car manufacturer for reliability (RAV4H has been rock solid) but that just requires more patience when even Infinti will have a BEV by 2021.

Maybe the all new NX will be the first to be electrified to compete with the iX3. :)
I
spwolf
p.s. head of bmw something at frankfurt said that their next ev will be X3, followed by Mini and i-next
I've been kinda following BMW's announcements.

now late 2019 (November production for the Mini as per BMW Canada executive)
2020 for the X3 and also for the 4 Gran Coupe (I thought initially) but it seems the latter will be replaced with the i-next which would likely not debut in 2020 but 2021

https://www.bmwgroup.com/content/da...workshops/Technology_Workshops_E-Mobility.pdf

I would still trust Toyota/Lexus more than any car manufacturer for reliability (RAV4H has been rock solid) but that just requires more patience when even Infinti will have a BEV by 2021.

Maybe the all new NX will be the first to be electrified to compete with the iX3. :)
krew
  • krew
    krew
  • September 27, 2018
krew

Lexus UX Crossover to be Brand's First Full-Electric Vehicle
[​IMG]

A new report from Japanese newspaper.
View the original article post
krew
  • krew
    krew
  • September 27, 2018
krew

Lexus UX Crossover to be Brand's First Full-Electric Vehicle
[​IMG]

A new report from Japanese newspaper.
View the original article post
M
December 2020? :)

Alright let's see what they can bring to a table two years later than the Germans.
M
December 2020? :)

Alright let's see what they can bring to a table two years later than the Germans.
S
mediumhot
December 2020? :)

Alright let's see what they can bring to a table two years later than the Germans.
we already know from C-HR EV in China... it will be nothing like Germans, and actually, what German vehicle is shipping? I MB is at least 6 months out and e-tron is 12 months out?

Only i-pace is shipping right now.

And this will be more like 150ish hp with 200 mile range.

- @ssun30 knows more.
S
mediumhot
December 2020? :)

Alright let's see what they can bring to a table two years later than the Germans.
we already know from C-HR EV in China... it will be nothing like Germans, and actually, what German vehicle is shipping? I MB is at least 6 months out and e-tron is 12 months out?

Only i-pace is shipping right now.

And this will be more like 150ish hp with 200 mile range.

- @ssun30 knows more.
L
I saw the UX in the metal for the first time today, and it looks really good! Best of all was the sitting position. Very low slung and sporty just the way I like it.
L
I saw the UX in the metal for the first time today, and it looks really good! Best of all was the sitting position. Very low slung and sporty just the way I like it.
I
This is perfect. Good to know. Can't wait for Toyota reliability in BEVs.
I
This is perfect. Good to know. Can't wait for Toyota reliability in BEVs.
S
spwolf
we already know from C-HR EV in China... it will be nothing like Germans, and actually, what German vehicle is shipping? I MB is at least 6 months out and e-tron is 12 months out?

Only i-pace is shipping right now.

And this will be more like 150ish hp with 200 mile range.

- @ssun30 knows more.
60kWh (300km 'real life' range target) and 143kW motor are preliminary specs for the C-HR. These modest specs are chosen to keep prices low.

C-HR EV is collab between Toyota and GAC. Don't know if the UX EV program will be separate and have different specs or supply chain.

Also, did I mention the I-Pace is having a way more serious production problem than the Model X at launch? Jaguar barely made three digits in the opening months it seems. Actually, the Germans saw the similar problem with their supply chain, that's why the EQC, iX3, and e-Trons are all delayed. BTW, did I also mention these 'Tesla killers' are absolutely primitive compared to the Model X they claim to kill? They are not more, if not are less impressive than all the dozens of Chinese Tesla copycats that suddenly appeared out of nowhere since 2017.
S
spwolf
we already know from C-HR EV in China... it will be nothing like Germans, and actually, what German vehicle is shipping? I MB is at least 6 months out and e-tron is 12 months out?

Only i-pace is shipping right now.

And this will be more like 150ish hp with 200 mile range.

- @ssun30 knows more.
60kWh (300km 'real life' range target) and 143kW motor are preliminary specs for the C-HR. These modest specs are chosen to keep prices low.

C-HR EV is collab between Toyota and GAC. Don't know if the UX EV program will be separate and have different specs or supply chain.

Also, did I mention the I-Pace is having a way more serious production problem than the Model X at launch? Jaguar barely made three digits in the opening months it seems. Actually, the Germans saw the similar problem with their supply chain, that's why the EQC, iX3, and e-Trons are all delayed. BTW, did I also mention these 'Tesla killers' are absolutely primitive compared to the Model X they claim to kill? They are not more, if not are less impressive than all the dozens of Chinese Tesla copycats that suddenly appeared out of nowhere since 2017.
S
ssun30
60kWh (300km 'real life' range target) and 143kW motor are preliminary specs for the C-HR. These modest specs are chosen to keep prices low.

C-HR EV is collab between Toyota and GAC. Don't know if the UX EV program will be separate and have different specs or supply chain.

Also, did I mention the I-Pace is having a way more serious production problem than the Model X at launch? Jaguar barely made three digits in the opening months it seems. Actually, the Germans saw the similar problem with their supply chain, that's why the EQC, iX3, and e-Trons are all delayed. BTW, did I also mention these 'Tesla killers' are absolutely primitive compared to the Model X they claim to kill? They are not more, if not are less impressive than all the dozens of Chinese Tesla copycats that suddenly appeared out of nowhere since 2017.
both C-HR and UX will be sold in Japan, China, Europe in 2020... whose batteries will they use will likely depend on the market, but i suspect everything else is the same.

As to the i-Pace, I am sure battery is not up to the Panasonic/Tesla, but it is a big difference in issues... Tesla has basic issues with producing vehicles, from painting to delivering, while new entries might have batter/motor quality control issues, which will be fixed, unlike Tesla's corporate culture.
S
ssun30
60kWh (300km 'real life' range target) and 143kW motor are preliminary specs for the C-HR. These modest specs are chosen to keep prices low.

C-HR EV is collab between Toyota and GAC. Don't know if the UX EV program will be separate and have different specs or supply chain.

Also, did I mention the I-Pace is having a way more serious production problem than the Model X at launch? Jaguar barely made three digits in the opening months it seems. Actually, the Germans saw the similar problem with their supply chain, that's why the EQC, iX3, and e-Trons are all delayed. BTW, did I also mention these 'Tesla killers' are absolutely primitive compared to the Model X they claim to kill? They are not more, if not are less impressive than all the dozens of Chinese Tesla copycats that suddenly appeared out of nowhere since 2017.
both C-HR and UX will be sold in Japan, China, Europe in 2020... whose batteries will they use will likely depend on the market, but i suspect everything else is the same.

As to the i-Pace, I am sure battery is not up to the Panasonic/Tesla, but it is a big difference in issues... Tesla has basic issues with producing vehicles, from painting to delivering, while new entries might have batter/motor quality control issues, which will be fixed, unlike Tesla's corporate culture.
Trexus
The UX will have sold for 2 years before the EV comes out. This should be fine. People will love the petrol and hybrid versions of the UX. I wouldn't mind getting the UX 250h (F Sport)...

UX 200
UX 250h
UX 200e or 250e (curious on what Lexus will name the EV version)
Trexus
The UX will have sold for 2 years before the EV comes out. This should be fine. People will love the petrol and hybrid versions of the UX. I wouldn't mind getting the UX 250h (F Sport)...

UX 200
UX 250h
UX 200e or 250e (curious on what Lexus will name the EV version)
S
Trexus
The UX will have sold for 2 years before the EV comes out. This should be fine. People will love the petrol and hybrid versions of the UX. I wouldn't mind getting the UX 250h (F Sport)...

UX 200
UX 250h
UX 200e or 250e (curious on what Lexus will name the EV version)
they are planning only 10k-15k per year for UX, so I dont expect it to be special. I would guess they will sell it at good prices only in countries that have big incentives for EVs, and that other countries will get too high of the price for sales.

Also they plan under 100k/year sales for CHR, so I would guess it will be more interesting price wise.

Related to this, new Prius in Japan is getting lion batteries on all models, coming soon, so this might mean that they will shortly start producing a lot of lion batteries.
S
Trexus
The UX will have sold for 2 years before the EV comes out. This should be fine. People will love the petrol and hybrid versions of the UX. I wouldn't mind getting the UX 250h (F Sport)...

UX 200
UX 250h
UX 200e or 250e (curious on what Lexus will name the EV version)
they are planning only 10k-15k per year for UX, so I dont expect it to be special. I would guess they will sell it at good prices only in countries that have big incentives for EVs, and that other countries will get too high of the price for sales.

Also they plan under 100k/year sales for CHR, so I would guess it will be more interesting price wise.

Related to this, new Prius in Japan is getting lion batteries on all models, coming soon, so this might mean that they will shortly start producing a lot of lion batteries.
maiaramdan
FCEV & BEV for both tastes
Good move
Even I will love to try the FCEV much more than the BEV
maiaramdan
FCEV & BEV for both tastes
Good move
Even I will love to try the FCEV much more than the BEV

M