 while still whipping up interesting concept vehicles. So, it was with interest that I read that Lexus has a new vehicle out. However, then I had to double-check that I was still, in […] "'Pin It")
Lexus Apparently Gets Bored Making Cars, Announces New Boat
Lexus has been giving its design team a workout lately, remaking its lineup vehicle by vehicle (the latest being the new ES) while still whipping up interesting concept vehicles. So, it was with interest that I read that Lexus has a new vehicle out. However, then I had to double-check that I was still, in fact, reading about Lexus, the car maker, because the newest Lexus is the LY 650, a yacht.
New, More Grounded Lexus: Meet the new-gen 2019 Lexus ES sedan
A yacht?
Yes indeed, Lexus has hailed the new Lexus LY 650 as the fourth newest Lexus flagship, alongside the LS sedan, LX SUV and LC coupe. This is definitely the most literal use of that term so far by the manufacturer. The new ship actually builds on a Lexus yacht concept introduced in January 2017, the Lexus Sport Yacht Concept.
Lexus Sport Yacht Concept
The LY 650 features the same flavor of the L-finesse design language as the automotive lineup. I’m not sure if I see it, but here is the LF-1 Limitless Concept SUV for comparison’s sake:
The newest Lexus
Lexus’ newest vehicle is a 65-foot luxury yacht, and although Lexus hasn’t really gone into specifics on any features, it did say that the “most attractive features” of the older Sport Yacht Concept carry over. This might or might not include the twin 5.0-liter Lexus V8 engines and the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic hull.
Sport, You Say? Check out the rest of Lexus’ sports line with its F-SPORT cars
The LY 650 is a production vehicle, with the first completed model expected to roll (sail?) out of the assembly line in the second half of 2019. Finally, though, it seems that the LY 650 and its predecessor concept aren’t exactly coming out of nowhere. Toyota already produces luxury yachts through its subsidiary Ponam, a segment-leader in Japan. The Marquis-Larson Boat Group will produce and service the new Lexus yacht, though.
Lexus really seems to be treating this whole project as a way to expand its design prowess, calling it, “another proof point in the storied history of Lexus that explores new frontiers both inside and outside the automotive industry.” No word on whether Lexus plans to retire to a quieter life of boating, though.
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