What Would a Lexus Look Like in 2040?

 New Partnership Between Lexus & The Royal College of Art

                                                                        Source:  Lexus

Stunning New Lexus Designs

Lexus has formed a new partnership with the prestigious Royal College of Art.  Lexus has asked graduate students in design to envision and design luxury Lexus for the year 2040.  The designs address a future world of mobility, new lifestyles, sustainability and how new technologies might impact the Lexus brand. The grad students were also tasked with creating new ways to meet future travel challenges in Europe.  The results are spectacular and highly innovative new Lexus vehicle concepts.  Lexus has recently selected six finalists in their design competition.  Here's a look at several particularly fascinating ones.

The Alto

                                                        Source:  Lexus - The Alto

The Alto by grad student Richard Newman is a VTOL or vertical takeoff and landing vehicle that flies.  The designer says it is like jewelry in the sky -"a cloud earing" as he puts it.  This unique Lexus concept can dock on buildings to allow passengers to exit and enter close to their desks. It is part hot air balloon and is an artistic effort to define luxury beyond new technologies.

The Crucible

                                  Source:  Lexus The Crucible

The Crucible by grad student Benjamin Miller is hydrogen powered, green and zero emissions travel.  The vehicle is equipped to enable different drivers to "share mobility", meaning the vehicle is designed for car sharing.  Another unique feature is that the car's interior can be rearranged for different needs such as weekday work commuting or weekend travel getaways.

The NEKO

                                        Source: Lexus NEKO
                            

The Lexus NEKO by Jan Niehues delivers "luxury on demand".  It is an electric vehicle that utilizes cameras and sensors for the drive.  It operates in two different modes.  One mode provides normal, very modern driving.  The second mode is unique.  It enables the occupants to experience "an Instagram experience on the grand scale" using scenery recorded on a previous journey.  Using 4D technology, the EV is optimized for "ergonomics and Lexus branding opportunities".

Lexus has structured this project as a design competition and will select several for further development into scale models for the future of driving and possibly flying in 2040.  To take a look at more new modes of travel, go to https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B09SDMGYDH&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_8CNW6RNBW62SA5M4FMHZ