Lexus is reportedly planning to launch a new all-electric model by 2026 in a bid to cash in on demand for such vehicles.
While recently speaking with members of the media, current Lexus chief and future Toyota president Koji Sato revealed that Lexus will lead the automaker’s battery-electric vehicle transformation, Nikkei Asia reports.
“We aim to develop a next-generation battery EV in the Lexus brand in which everything from batteries and platforms to the way the car is built will be optimized for BEVs,” Sato revealed. “To deliver appealing BEVs, we need to drastically change the way we do business, from manufacturing to sales and service, with a BEV-first mindset. Lexus will lead this transformation.”
More: Toyota And Lexus Unveil 15 New Electric Concepts All At Once
Little else is known about the next EV from Lexus. It will follow in the footsteps of the brand’s first EV, the RZ, which Sato played an instrumental role in making a reality. It seems likely that it will take the form of an SUV considering the ongoing demand for such vehicles.
It will be important for Lexus to deliver a next-gen EV with a solid range. The current RZ is driven by a 71.4 kWh battery pack that powers a pair of electric motors, combining to deliver 313 hp. The entry-level variant can travel 220 miles (354 km) on a single charge while the more luxurious RZ 450e Luxury has its range limited to just 196 miles (315 km). Lexus should try and increase this range figure to at least 300 miles (482 km) to better rival the EVs from its competitors.
Koji Sato will take over as the chief executive and president of Toyota from April 1 after Akio Toyoda made the shock announcement that he was stepping down.
