Lexus F performance division to add electric cars to its portfolio

A high-performance Lexus with electric power is on the cards by the end of the decade amid the imminent rollout of new technology for Toyota’s luxury division.

The global boss of Lexus, Takashi Watanabe, told a roundtable briefing with international media the brand’s high-performance F badge – a rival to BMW’s M division and Mercedes’s AMG – will be part of the company’s electric future.

“As we diversify the range of electrified products … there should be more diversified needs and demand for Lexus (electric vehicles),” said Mr Watanabe.

“And when that happens, part of that diversity is the F electrified. Yes we would definitely look into doing an F electrified Lexus.

“Making a car which is fun to drive is very important … so in that sense we need to continue to meet the needs of our customers and drivers.”

Lexus is developing a successor to the LFA supercar (above) – known as the LFR – for launch in 2026 with plug-in hybrid power, however it could adopt electric propulsion at a later date.

When asked if it would be difficult for Lexus to differentiate itself from Toyota in the electric-car era, Mr Watanabe said:

“If we talk about components in terms of hardware such an electric motor or battery, (the) hardware will be commoditised because we have to continuously evolve into more efficient manufacturing (and) bring down the cost base for the battery.

“A lot of people are skeptical about the commoditisation of (electric vehicles) … but the cars will be very fun to drive.

“And of course, yes, we want the possibility … we are going to use F to symbolise our intention (for performance cars).

“We believe there are many more values that we can deliver.”