The LS is dead, long live the LS. Lexus’s flagship sedan is on its way out, but it seems an entirely new family of cars is taking its place. Aside from a wacky six-wheeled minivan, Toyota’s premium brand is also unveiling a swoopy SUV. It’s incorrectly labeled as a coupe, but we’ll let that one slide since the concept doesn’t look half bad. It borrows the minivan’s edgy styling yet wraps it in a shape far easier on the eyes than the outlandish people mover. This SUV, beaten with the coupe stick, features rear-hinged doors reminiscent of the Ferrari Purosangue, but that’s not even the most captivating part. Although the sloping roofline might make you think it ends with a tailgate, the concept actually has a proper trunk. A rear panel slides down to reveal a cargo floor that automatically extends outward. It seems you’ll need to bend down to access the luggage area, and there’s limited room for taller items, but it’s an intriguing idea nonetheless. Lexus hasn’t gone into detail about the LS Coupe, but all signs point to it being fully electric. The four-seater features a large panoramic glass roof and a surprising number of air vents for an SUV. Angular lighting at both ends recalls its unconventional minivan cousin, while small four fans bisect the vertical third brake light. Inside, things get even more unusual. The dual-layered instrument cluster incorporates wide digital screens, complemented by an even larger display for the passenger. Rear occupants relax in individual seats with massive vertical touchscreens mounted to the backs of the front seats. A completely flat floor reinforces the impression that this is an EV, and the bamboo accents mirror those seen in the LS minivan. The blueish driver’s seat stands out against the cream-colored passenger seats, while a yoke has replaced the steering wheel. Conventional buttons are virtually nonexistent, though the window controls appear to be mounted on the front passenger seat’s left-front corner. Lexus vaguely describes the LS Coupe concept as something that “answers the wish to have the best of everything.” The marketing fluff continues: “The ability to discover duality a car that is as fun for the driver as it is for the passenger. A balance of contradictions that has always been Lexus’s forte.” It’s unclear whether the concept will evolve into a production model. Still, between this and the minivan, it’s becoming increasingly likely that the LS name will expand into a full family of models. Hopefully, the traditional sedan body style, part of the nameplate since Lexus’s inception in 1989, won’t be left behind. Lexus LS Coupe Concept We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
