Concept Cars

New Lexus concept car looks like a Prius attempting to achieve Blue Steel

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Oct 23, 2019, 9:41 pm

The design of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified looks familiar.

Photo courtesy of Lexus

Toyota is busy trying how to best move the Prius back into a cutting-edge vehicle choice and Lexus is working to figure out exactly where electrification fits into their brand strategy.

The future of the Lexus Electrified generation of electrified vehicles was shown off for the first time today at the Tokyo Motor Show … and it looks awfully familiar.

Moving forward with the progress toward Akio Toyoda's "no boring cars" mantra, Lexus says that they are engineering future electrified vehicles to focus on driver enjoyment, control, performance, handling, and mobility.

Lexus LF-30 Electrified Sharp angles and futuristic design are at the rear of the model.Photo courtesy of Lexus

On the outside, the Lexus LF-30 Electrified looks like a Prius attempting to achieve Blue Steel. It's sucked in its cheeks, pouted, and is using its headlights to take on Hansel in a runway roll off.

The paint job is a metal-infused coating named "voltaic sky," which sounds like the name of Zoolander's mythical horse.

The cockpit of the LF-30 concept is driver-focused with a human-centered design. Its seats are designed to emulate the first class accommodations in an airplane. There are next-generation interfaces, including gesture control (something BMW already employs) and augmented reality, which shows a star-filled sky, videos, and navigation on the glass roof.

Onboard AI listens to vehicle occupant voices to differentiate between them and adjusts the interior environment to match the occupant including air temperature, audio, navigation, destinations, powertrain, and suspension.

Lexus LF-30 Electrified The interior of the Lexus LF-30 Electrified shows a mostly forward thinking concept.Photo courtesy of Lexus

A Mark Levinson audio system fills the cabin with high-quality sound. Speakers are built into the headrest, something that Nissan currently offers in the subcompact Kicks.

The rear seats of the vehicle use artificial muscle technology to mold to their occupant.

Lexus has equipped the LF-30 Electrified with the Lexus Airporter drone-technology support vehicle. The autonomous Lexus Airporter is capable of independently transporting baggage from a household doorstep to the vehicle's luggage area.

Lexus has designed the car to utilize sustainable materials included Yakisugi, a charred cedar that's traditionally used in Japanese design.

Lexus LF-30 Electrified Advanced technology displays fill the Lexus LF-30 Electrified's cabin.Photo courtesy of Lexus

It features a steer-by-wire system, something Infiniti currently utilizes in their vehicles.

The wheels of the car feature in-wheel electric motors that power the BEV.

The Lexus has Chauffer and Guardian mode, which can autonomously drive the vehicle and self-park it.

Lexus plans to launch its first battery electric vehicle in November 2019 in conjunction with the L.A. Auto Show. Plans for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle are forthcoming and expected to come to fruition in the next few years. By 2025, all Lexus models will be available with electrified powertrains.

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New SUV

2022 Bentley Bentayga S is the sportiest version of the super luxury SUV yet

The 2022 Bentley Bentayga S combines dark exterior accents with new dynamic capability.

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

Following a mid-generation facelift, Bentley is upping the ante once again on its popular Bentayga SUV. This time, the change comes in the form of a new model - Bentayga S - that is designed to be the sportiest offering in the crossover's lineup. This is the first time an "S" version of the Bentayga has been offered.

Its sport-tuned abilities come courtesy of standard Bentley Dynamic Ride, an anti-roll technology that plays with the model's 15 percent increase in damping in Sport mode to deliver a more engaging drive mode. The automaker has retuned the brakes for the car. It now lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in.

The model continues to have four drive modes (Snow and Wet Grass, Dirt and Gravel, Mud and Trail, and Sand) and continues to be able to ford up to 500 mm of water.

2022 Bentley Bentayga S

2022 Bentley Bentayga S

Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors

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The Bentayga S rides on standard 22-inch wheels in the buyer's choice of one of three finishes while a larger-than-traditional spoiler takes up room out back. Black exterior accents give the Bentley a unique look while a newly designed, free-flowing sports exhaust provides a robust sound out the rear of the car. Gloss black side sills and front and rear lower bumpers work with dark tinted head and taillight lenses, black door mirrors, and black split-oval tailpipes complete the look.

Powering the auto is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that gets 542 brake horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. The power plant moves the car from zero to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds with the accelerator at the floor and it has a top speed of 180 mph.

Bentyaga S's cabin has new seats, unique stitching, a fresh color split, and Alcantara upholstery. "S" badging can be found on the passenger fascia, instrument panel graphics, and illuminated treadplates.

Buyers can get the car in a four-, five- or seven-seat configuration. The seats are fluted with stitching contrasting and complementing the hide color.

In front of the driver is a fully digital instrument cluster that was designed to be reminiscent of high-end chronographs. Drivers can customize the look of the display.

Pricing for the model has yet to be released, but is expected to be a premium on the current Bentayga starting MSRP of around $166,000.

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Luxury Lifestyle

New Schedoni bespoke luggage set can be customized to match your Chiron

Schedoni has created a three-piece luggage set for Bugatti clients.

Photo courtesy of Bugatti

There's owning a Bugatti Chiron and then there's *owning* your Bugatti Chiron. The French supercar manufacturer has teamed up with Schedoni to create a bespoke luggage set that can be configured to match their Chiron.

"Considering the amount of attention and care that goes into crafting every Bugatti model, every single piece of luggage we produce matches the same level of passion, craftsmanship and dedication," said Mr. Simone Schedoni, Chairman at Schedoni. "Our leather sets are especially made for the shape of the Chiron, so every item fits seamlessly, whether it is kept in the front trunk or in the cockpit. Every model made by Bugatti is highly personalized and tailored to its owner, and the options for the luggage sets allow for the same level of bespoke luxury."

Each set is made up of a weekender that is a perfect fit for the frunk of the Chiron. There are two soft garnet leather bags that fit nicely behind the two seats in the cabin of the exclusive hypercar.

Bugatti by Schedoni leather luggage set

Bugatti by Schedoni

Photo courtesy of Bugatti

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The luggage leather is pieced from the same cuts of leather that adorn the cabin of the Chiron so they will be a matching set.

The three-piece, highly individualized leather luggage set takes up to 110 hours to craft by Italian artisans. The complete set is made of over 150 separate pieces of leather, around 150 pieces of backing material and 50 cuts of lining.

Buyers can add on the luggage set while they are in the process of commissioning their vehicle. Customers can refine the hand-made leather luggage set to suit their own taste. The grade and type of leather can be changed, as well as the color of the leather and yarn. There are 31 hues to choose from that range from dark to light across a broad color chart.

Unique stitching, patters, and logos and make the luggage even more deeply personalized. Bugatti is willing to work with clients to make their stitching dreams come true.

Customers use the company's 3D car configurator to complete all elements of the design. While the design happens virtually, buyers can get an idea of the final product thanks to the design preview function that visualizes customers' wishes before an order is placed.

If a Chiron isn't in the cars for you, don't worry. Customers can also get complementary luggage sets for their Bugatti Divo or Centrodieci.

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