Shown tonight alongside the new GR GT was a Lexus concept we’ve seen before: The Lexus Sport Concept, which debuted at Pebble Beach in August.
What’s new? That concept has now been renamed as the LFA Concept, indicating Lexus’ vision for a future battery-powered sports car. Where the GR GT packs a hybrid twin-turbo V8, the new LFA Concept will be purely electric. The new LFA, GR GT, and GR GT3 have been developed together and will share technology and platform commonalities.
From Lexus:
The Lexus LFA Concept is a next-generation sports car concept model that embodies, along with the GR GT and GR GT3, “Toyota’s Shikinen Sengu”. Centered on the three key elements of a low center of gravity, low weight with high rigidity, and the pursuit of aerodynamic performance, it shares the techniques and skills used in developing the GR GT and GR GT3 while exploring the potential that is unique to BEVs.
Starting with elements such as a light, high-rigidity all-aluminum body frame and an ideal driving position that enhances a sense of car-driver unity and vehicle handling, Lexus, as an electrification leader, has given form to a sports car fit for the electrification era, with a desire to deliver driving pleasure and demonstrate the potential of BEV sports cars. Its pursuit of optimal BEV packaging has resulted in a fusion of high-level driving performance, which stems from the GR GT and GR GT3, and styling of timeless value that should prevail well into the next generation.
Not bound to vehicles powered by internal combustion engines, “LFA” is a model name that symbolizes a vehicle model that embodies the technologies that engineers of its time should preserve and pass on to the next generation. From the past to the future, the Lexus LFA Concept is a testament to Lexus’ taking on the challenge of continuing to preserve and pass on to the next generation the value of sports cars and car-making knowledge that must be retained while striving to evolve such know-how.
Between the 2021 Electric Sport Concept, 2025 Sport Concept, and now LFA Concept, it appears clear that Lexus is committed to developing another halo level sports car with battery power. The first LFA, with its legendary V-10 engine, kicked off a new era of F and F SPORT vehicles for Lexus so with Lexus’ aspirations of being fully electric by 2030, it’s logical to assume the new LFA may be a similar forerunner for Lexus’ electric future.
Discussion