The Lexus LF-ZC that you are currently viewing is a prototype for a brand-new electric production vehicle that will hit the road in 2026. Unveiled today at the Tokyo mobility show, the new EV is a low-slung, high-performance vehicle that houses cutting-edge technology that Lexus intends to bring into mass production.

It appears to be a Lexus.
This design style is dubbed “Provocative Simplicity” by Lexus, but that’s just fancy marketing language for Lexus 2.0. The LF-ZC may have a futuristic appearance, but a few subtle design cues make it appear to be a member of Toyota’s luxury lineup.

The recognizable arrow-shaped headlights that are even more pointed on Lexus vehicles are positioned to either side of the spindle grille, which is still there at the front but has now taken on more of a “spindle-shape area.” The pointed design concept has been carried out by Lexus’s designers in the back, where they chose to combine rear lights with a robust bumper.

Will the production car have this exact design? It may not be the most eye-catching Lexus since the LC, but it still has some potential. It’s also very slippery; Lexus hopes to achieve a coefficient of drag of 0.2, which will improve range.

How does the inside look?

The LF-ZC has a massive cabin that is, naturally, filled with technology thanks to its sweeping greenhouse. The passenger enjoys two touchscreens, while the driver utilizes a smaller cockpit screen and a more sophisticated version of Lexus’ steer-by-wire technology. The LF-ZC’s low coefficient of gravity and four-wheel drive system hint at a car you’ll want to focus all of your attention on. This is an example of driver focus in action.

Modern ADAs systems in the LF-ZC can be used when you don’t want to be driving, and infotainment features can be accessed via a pad on the right of the yoke.

Arene OS, an operating system created by Lexus to maintain the LF-ZC at the forefront of safety and infotainment technology, will run within the vehicle. Over time, Lexus claims it will also help you become a better driver. Following Mercedes’ MB.OS, which was unveiled in Munich earlier this year, Lexus is now the second company to attempt developing its own operating system internally with the release of the Arene OS.

Increasing output velocity

Thanks to a gigacasting process, Lexus claims that its upcoming BEVs will be more modular than previous models. Lexus thinks that by placing battery technology in the center, it will be simpler to create and manufacture new designs, resulting in more agile future development.

Furthermore, using their electric motors and rudimentary sensors, Lexus’ forthcoming EVs will also be able to drive themselves through the production line. The “drive-thru” manufacturing technology will decrease the requirement for additional equipment while increasing production speed.