Lexus has announced two all-new EV concepts under the LF (Lexus Future) name – the LF-ZC, a near-production BEV concept saloon targeting a 2026 launch and the LF-ZL, a BEV flagship concept offering insight into future Lexus technologies.
Revealed at this year’s Japan Mobility Show (formerly known as the Tokyo Motor Show), the concepts present the Toyota brand’s theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries of the Electrified Experience’ as it works to envision new possibilities for mobility enabled through electric vehicles. Together, the concept EVs will support Lexus’ broader strategy to become an all-electric vehicle brand in Europe by 2030, and globally by 2035.
Standing for Lexus Future Zero-emission Catalyst, the production version of the LF-ZC will be included in the brand’s forthcoming line-up of next-generation BEVs, which is expected to roll out in 2026. A key feature of the LF-ZC highlighted by Lexus was the inclusion of a next-generation voice recognition system called Butler, which leverages AI technology to minimize response times. The system also utilizes this technology to provide route and mode recommendations based on the driver’s preferences, as well as their daily activity patterns and mood.
Butler will deploy self-learning functions for software customization that allow the vehicle to automatically set optimal personal settings with every drive. Here, it accumulates driving data to understand the driver’s personal characteristics and offer suggestions that address their more immediate needs. While Lexus has not yet shared details on the LF-ZC’s EV capabilities, the brand confirmed that it, and its other next-generation BEVs, will feature advanced, high-performance, prismatic batteries. These batteries work to enhance a variety of key performance factors, including the range, aerodynamics integration and weight reduction – which in turn enhance efficiency and battery performance.
In addition to this new system, the electric saloon builds on technologies used in the development of the Lexus RZ, including its proprietary Direct4 all-wheel drive system, and its steer-by-wire technology. The steer-by-wire system facilitates the inclusion of a steering yoke, which is featured in the interior of both the LF-ZC and the LF-ZL.
Both concepts are likewise based on the Lexus Intelligent Cockpit and share a similar suite of interior technologies and features, offering situation-based functionality that works to provide users with a more immersive driving experience. This functionality is largely facilitated by a new operating system called Arene – which offers OTA updates alongside various customization and personalization opportunities that allow the user to adjust performance characteristics, such as accelerating, handling, and driver preferences using software-enabled hardware.
Positioned to the left and right of the steering yoke are two digital touch pads used to control key vehicle and multimedia functions. The left pad hosts touch controls for core drive functions such as gear shifting, ADAS, and drive modes, while the right pad provides controls for convenience and infotainment features – including music, climate control, phone, and AI-related functions. On the passenger side of both the LF-ZC and LF-ZL is a dedicated display that hosts a programmable open platform for entertainment and other in-vehicle applications, though the full extent of the platform’s capabilities has yet to be detailed.
Aiming to offer a more prestigious ownership experience, the LF-ZL (Lexus Future Zero-emission Luxury) e-SUV concept offers an insight into future Lexus vehicles, with an emphasis on the new personalization options and heightened customer interactions they will enable. Here, the luxury concept will utilize the full capabilities of the Arene OS to deliver these enhanced experiences, using an advanced information integration system that quickly learns and anticipates driver needs.
Lexus will look to similarly facilitate new interaction experiences through the LF-ZL’s Interactive Reality in Motion feature. Combining the capabilities of the EV’s onboard sensors and digital data from its surroundings, the feature allows users to point at objects or landmarks and learn more about them through information provided on the in-vehicle display with voice guidance.
The LF-ZL further utilizes big data to support the management of the charging process and power supply, enabling it to become more closely connected to the network and surrounding infrastructure when parked. Inside, the concept enhances interior space by positioning the battery in the center section while providing a cabin that pairs omotenashi features (denoting Japanese concepts of hospitality and mindfulness) with advanced technologies.
