Lexus appears to have something up its sleeve, and has been on a trademarking spree in Europe. The automaker appears to be working on a collection of concept cars that could hint at upcoming electrification plans. The names all follow Lexus’s established naming conventions, and all contain the letters L, F, and Z. The nameplates are, LF-ZC, LF-ZL, LF-ZV, and LF-ZA. Unfortunately, the trademark filings reveal little else about the vehicles.
However, based on recent history, we know
that Lexus has mostly been using the LF prefix for concept cars. Going back to
2018, it revealed the LF-1 Limitless, a flagship crossover concept, at the
Detroit auto show. More recently, and perhaps even more relevantly, it came out
with the LF-Z Electrified concept. That concept was explicitly designed to
showcase the future of Lexus style, and became the RZ all-electric vehicle.
The confluence of the LF and Z suggest to
us that these names are intended for one or more concepts that hint at upcoming
electric vehicles. Indeed, Lexus is currently teasing just such a concept car
ahead of its official unveiling at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 on October 25.
Featuring angular styling, familiar L-shaped headlights, and light up Lexus
badging, the concept is expected to be based on Toyota’s next-generation EV
platform. One of a wide variety of EV models the brand is planning, it wouldn’t
be a surprise if the automaker was working on a flurry of upcoming concepts to
preview them.
Unfortunately, we aren’t sure what Lexus
is planning specifically. However, its parent brand, Toyota, recently revealed
that the vehicles it builds on its new EV platform will have up to 800 km)of range and will be able to charge from 10-80 percent in 20 minutes
by 2026.
