Lexus is presenting the debuts of its NX PHEV OFFROAD and hydrogen-powered ROV concepts at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon.

The display models embody Lexus’s efforts towards realising a carbon neutral society, while giving customers a wider choice of vehicles, suitable for more diverse lifestyles.

NX PHEV OFFROAD

The NX PHEV OFFROAD is based on Lexus’s first plug-in hybrid electric model, the NX 450h+, which went on sale at the end of last year, a car that delivers both refined performance and lower CO2 emissions. The bodywork design inspires adventure, with its lifted platform, large diameter all-terrain tyres and customised bronze and matt black paint finish.

ROV Concept

The Lexus ROV (recreational off-road vehicle) goes beyond traditional on and off-road driving capabilities with a compact body that brings you closer to nature in a driving experience unlike any conventional passenger vehicle. It is the first Lexus to use a hydrogen-powered engine, giving it excellent environmental credentials as well as the pleasure generated by the sound and feel of an engine.

Compressed hydrogen fuel is stored in a high-pressure tank and introduced into the engine using precise direct injection. The result is an environmentally efficient engine that produces high-response torque from the hydrogen’s rapid combustion. It also maintains the stimulating feel of an engine-powered vehicle. With engine oil consumption kept to a minimum, there are virtually no CO₂ emissions when driving.

The ROV Concept has a rugged pipe frame and a lightweight, compact body. It is fitted with a protection cage suitable for any off-road environment and a front grille to protect occupants; as well as being practical, its styling expresses Lexus’s next-generation design. The front wings prevent stones and mud from splashing upwards, while a suspension cover connected to the rear-mounted hydrogen fuel tank both protects the ROV’s functional components and references the durability inherited from Lexus SUVs. The L-shaped headlights and rear combination lamps and the LEXUS name on the rear are adopted from the all-new NX. The bodywork is finished in an Iron Oxide colour.

Inside, simple metrics are used to give the driver instant access to key driving information. The seats are upholstered in a sturdy synthetic leather, while high-quality leather is used for the steering wheel and shift lever.

The dynamic performance delivers the Lexus Driving Signature, giving precise handling, throttle, brake and steering response faithful to the driver’s inputs. The sequential transmission is operated using paddle shifts; the drivetrain allows the driver to select two or all-wheel drive and features a locking differential.