Lexus has furnished us with a few more details about its ROV Concept. The “Recreational Off-highway Vehicle” is a side-by-side that’s powered by hydrogen that proves that Tesla isn’t the only automaker that can make new energy Powersports concepts.
The ROV gets a 1.0-liter engine that provides a lovely engine note, according to Lexus, and isn’t too dissimilar to the hydrogen engine that powered a Corolla in endurance racing this year.
Lexus claims that the only local emissions generated by the engine are from the small amount of oil the engine burns, making this a pretty good option for fans of side-by-sides who want to shrink their footprint. Unfortunately, Lexus doesn’t say quite how much power the engine makes.
Read Also: YouTuber Builds His Own Tesla Cyberquad That Hits 102 MPH
At 3,120mm long by 1,725mm wide, and 1,800mm high (123 x 68 x 71 inches), which makes it a bit bigger than a Polaris RZR, for instance, which is 2,286 x 1,626 x 1,873mm (90x64x74 inches). That may have to do with the ROV’s luxurious, Lexus roots.
The interior of the ROV is designed according to Lexus’ Tazuna concept, just like its vehicles. The seats feature integrated suspension for comfort and are upholstered in hard-wearing synthetic leather. It also has an interesting new concept for the cockpit, with nothing but a “simple meter to display the information the driver needs so they can concentrate on the job of driving.” I wonder if that kind of thinking will ever catch on…
The exterior, meanwhile, is designed to reflect Lexus’ automotive styling. From the dark bronze color developed specifically for this project to the spindle grille-inspired front. It also incorporates the necessities of off-road driving, with generous suspension travel, and a suspension cover that’s connected to the rear high-pressure hydrogen tanks to protect the ROV’s functional parts.
“The Lexus ROV Concept is our response to the growing passion for the outdoors and adventurous spirit of luxury consumers,” said Spiros Fortinos, head of Lexus Europe. “As a concept, it fuses our desire to also develop lifestyle-oriented products with our ongoing research into new technologies that contribute to carbon neutrality.”