Lexus: Off-road and also in the air
BY NEED OR DESIRE At this year's Tokyo Auto Salon, Lexus is presenting two rather unusual offroad concepts. Behind the NX PHEV Offroad Concept is an even more off-road capable NX 450h+.
In addition to the standard E-Four all-wheel drive, the 309-hp NX 450h+ comes with increased ground clearance and 17-inch all-terrain tires suitable for off-road use. A roof rack is also available.
The Lexus ROV Concept goes one step further. The 3.12-meter short, two-seater side-by-side vehicle is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder that burns hydrogen.
Cooperation art pilot and car manufacturer
The appearance at the Makuhari show will be completed by a 1:3 scale model of the Zivko Edge 540 V3 aircraft, which Yoshihide Muroya and his Lexus/Pathfinder Air Racing team will use to compete in the inaugural Air Race World Championship this year.
The partnership between the aerobatic pilot and the automaker is intended to accelerate technological development. Lexus intends to use the experience it has gained in hard-fought air races in the areas of aerodynamics, cooling and weight reduction, as well as the know-how it has acquired, for vehicle construction.
