Lexus Flexes Its EV Innovations With The LF-ZC, LF-ZL Concepts

At the 2023 Japan Mobility Show (formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show), the overarching theme is all about electrification and carbon neutrality. While the Japanese automakers have been slow in their electric vehicle (EV) transition, it’s now catching up fast. However, brands like Lexus are learning new tricks and not just simply doing what has already been done in EVs, and that’s what you can see with the Lexus LF-ZC and LF-ZL concepts that you see here.

Gigacasting has been a huge buzzword as of late, and you have Tesla to thank for that. Gigacasting is basically a die-casting method, wherein molten metal is poured into a die in order to create various metal parts. However, as the “giga” word suggests, gigacasting is much bigger in scale that’s never before seen in automotive manufacturing. Entire sections of vehicles, which in the case of the LF-ZC include the front, center, and rear, become one single giant part as opposed to being composed of multiple parts welded together.

This results in less manufacturing costs in the long term as well as a more durable and rigid vehicle since there are more components that are already one inherent structure. In addition, what Lexus is going to do is not make the battery a structurally independent part. This, according to Lexus, enables rapid integration of battery advancements into the vehicle, thus contributing to a more agile development down the line.

Now, this is where Lexus’s (and Toyota’s) own ingenuity comes in. Toyota’s manufacturing expertise comes alive with the introduction of a self-driven production line. Yes, the cars will autonomously move through the various assembly stages, so you can indeed imagine an incomplete car with just the battery, motor, tires, and wireless terminal components in the front, center, and rear sections of the vehicle driving on their own down the assembly line.

Batteries are also another area where Lexus is also keen to innovate. Next-generation lithium-ion with a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) electrode that uses a prismatic structure will soon be used in Lexus EVs. Through the improved battery chemistry and prismatic structure, Lexus is aiming to make these batteries more energy-dense than today’s current batteries, while at the same time increasing the efficiency of the vehicle to increase range. The energy-dense batteries mean that they don’t need to be as big in order to achieve plenty of range, which further improves efficiency by making the EV lighter.

Another trick that Lexus will utilize in improving range is through aerodynamics. While the drag coefficient of the LF-ZC has not yet been revealed, Lexus is targeting a sub-0.2 coefficient of drag. For perspective, the most aerodynamic mass-produced car right now is the Mercedes-Benz EQS, which has a drag coefficient of 0.2 Cd. Its sleek body is also focused on sportiness, with its curvaceous roofline primed for aerodynamics as well as providing a sporty aesthetic. The LF-ZF has a grille-less front end, but with creases and lines that still put the signature Spindle Grille front and center.

While the LF-ZC is sleek, the LF-ZL is more upright and focused on its occupants with its SUV body style–albeit a raked and sleek one at that. Much like the LF-ZC, the LF-ZL uses gigacasting manufacturing techniques, and it also has the same focus on efficiency with its aerodynamic shape (for an SUV) and next-generation prismatic battery cells.

The interior of both cars is a nice place to be in. There’s a whole heap of premium materials and even a generous use of bamboo because of its sustainability, but it also grows fast as well as having high CO2 absorption. It has also been used for centuries in Japanese craftsmanship.

As with every modern car, the experience inside these two concepts is highly digital. On the left of the yoke steering is a digital screen that controls the shifter and the various drive settings. There’s also a digital instrument cluster, while on the right is another touchscreen that controls multimedia functions.

Further on the right is a large touch screen that is mostly for front passenger use. This digital layout is present in both concepts, and these are powered by an upcoming operating system called Arene OS. Arene OS aims to enhance as opposed to overwhelming the driving experience, and this is augmented through the AI voice command system known as “Butler”, which uses machine learning to anticipate the needs of the driver.

​​​​​​​Lexus has also revealed that the LF-ZC comes with their signature Direct4 all-wheel drive (AWD) system, which means it will probably come with at least two electric motors. The LF-ZC also previews an EV that will eventually be produced in 2026, while the LF-ZL is more of a glimpse into a future of innovative EVs from Lexus.