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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. Lexus |
By Antuan Goodwin, Roadshow
This week, at a Lexus Milestones event held to celebrate 30 years of
the Lexus brand, the Japanese luxury automaker gave a preview of its
future. This included Lexus' plans for upcoming autonomous driving technologies and expanding the number of electrified vehicles and powertrains throughout its entire lineup.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday, Executive Vice President of Lexus International Koji Sato said, "Between Toyota and Lexus, we plan to roll out 10 EVs by 2025.
At the same time, every Lexus model on the road will be available as a
dedicated electrified model or have an electrified option."
In this case "electrified" includes a combination of self-contained hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,
all of which are on the table as options for future Lexus models.
Ultimately, which technology is chosen for a particular vehicle will
depend on the market in which that vehicle is sold and the needs of the
vehicle and drivers in question.
"There is not one powerplant that
will work for the globe. The reality is that different legality and
social conditions have created a landscape where automakers must offer a
variety of choices," Sato said. "We will chose for each model based on
the demand or background of the market."
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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. Depending on the market and the model, "electrified" might mean hybrid, battery or even fuel cell-powered vehicles. Toyota |
When asked about fuel cell vehicles, Sato said that "from a
technology point of view" the automaker is "very serious about FCEVs,"
but is carefully consider the rollout of hydrogen depending on the local
infrastructure conditions. So, in the US at least, that landscape will
likely be populated by more hybrids , plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles.
"A
proven history mastering battery management, reduced mass components
and electric motors offers an advantage that will help us create a
dedicated pure EV platform that speaks to the next generation of luxury
consumers that do not want to make compromises for performance,
excitement, range or capability," he said.
The automaker is
already well on its way toward achieving its goal of a fully electrified
lineup. Of the 11 models in its portfolio, only five aren't currently
available as hybrids. The IS, RC and GS make sense to hybridize; the GS, in particular, was offered with a hybrid powertrain previously. Speaking candidly with a Lexus representative later in the day, I learned that the GX and LX -- Lexus' two largest SUVs
-- are tricky because customers expect a different level of off-road
and towing capability from a vehicle in this class and the automaker
needs to make sure that it meets those expectations with whatever
electrification route it takes.
Fortunately, Lexus' hybrid technology is continuing to evolve. The new LC400h halo car, for example, features a trick new transmission technology
that aims to make hybrid driving more engaging. The automaker is also
developing new battery and electric motor technologies, including
in-wheel electric motors. Sato explains, "We expect that four wheels
operating independently will offer a greater agility, stability and
excitement. Of course, in-wheel electric motors are just a concept
currently and it will take years to make the technology perfect. But we
will continue to pursue this exciting opportunity."
We should learn more about what the future of Lexus electrification will look like at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show
later this year, where the automaker plans to unveils a new electric
concept car. I got an early peek -- which I sadly can't share just yet
-- and it looks… well, intense. Stay tuned.
