It seems only fitting that Lexus, the brand known for its commitment to create amazing experiences, is beginning the new year by literally making waves with the unveiling of its concept sport yacht. The Lexus Sport Yacht concept, designed for recreational day-touring with six-to-eight passengers, will make its debut January 2017 in Miami.
The concept for a luxury touring yacht came about a few years ago in Japan, when Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda spent time testing a n
ew line of Ponam premium yachts. As a master driver, he was inspired by the power, handling and stability of the advanced hull designs. Akio then gave the Marine Department their marching orders: to envision how a premium performance yacht might expand the Lexus brand into new areas of lifestyle and recreation.
According to Lexus International executive vice president Yoshihiro Sawa, the idea for a Lexus Sport yacht concept “allowed us to explore how Lexus design language could be applied to a maritime lifestyle.” He went on to praise the Lexus Design Center, exclaiming that the effort was “valuable to us as it stirs our creative energies and pushes our imagination to design lifestyle possibilities outside of the automotive realm we know well.”
To produce a ‘Lexus of the seas,’ the Marine Department went into overdrive to ensure that the same production value that elevates its vehicles would be used in the yacht design. The Lexus Sport Yacht concept uses carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, or CFRP, which is the same technology used in the structure of racecars and supercars like the 553 horsepower Lexus LFA, as well as world-class racing sailboats.
Because of its use of CFRP, the yacht’s construction is 2,200 pounds lighter than a similar yacht that uses fiberglass reinforced plastic. Its underwater hull design is stepped to reduce resistance or drag and to improve handling balance at high speeds.
Currently, the Lexus Sports Yacht concept will remain a design exploration. However, its revolutionary design and attention to detail puts the industry on notice that Lexus is ready, willing and able to create amazing experiences on every level, whether by land or by sea.
Written by: Contributing Editor
