To infinity and beyond! Okay, maybe not all the way to infinity. Lexus has contributed a sketch of a concept vehicle for the journey to the moon. The sketch has been selected to appear in Document Journal’s issue No. 15.
The issue of the art and fashion magazine centers around The Lunar Design Portfolio. It seeks to answer the questions, “How shall we live? What will we wear? What will we drive?”
The European Advanced Design Studio for Toyota and Lexus, ED2, is dedicated to developing advanced concept proposals and was selected to take on the task of conceptualizing lunar mobility.
Design characteristics were harvested from the recent LF-30 Future Concept vehicle. To get to the finish line, ED2 created seven concepts from five different designers, together depicting a full lineup of space vehicles.
“When Document Journal approached us about the Lunar Design Portfolio, our team was working on the LF-30 Concept, which represents the “Lexus Electrified” futuristic vision for Lexus. The design team was already looking beyond near-term production and ahead to how advanced technology will change the way we interact with vehicles,” said Ian Cartabiano, President of ED2. “The lunar project came at the right time, half way through the LF-30 development. It gave the team a chance to dream further out, and then apply some of the design language from the LF-30 interior to their lunar proposals.”
One of the concepts presented to Document Journal made it to print. Zero Gravity is a single rider vehicle that evolves the LF-30’s “Lexus Electrified” vision to incorporate Magnetic Levitation technology.
According to a release, “The design reinterprets the signature Lexus spindle grille and uses the motorcycle-style of driving to employ the new concept of Tazuna (which mean “reins” in Japanese): the fundamental human-centered philosophy. Inspired by how a single rein can be used to achieve mutual understanding between horse and rider, the steering control provides active driving enjoyment created by the direct communication between human and machine.”
See all the concepts below with descriptions by Lexus.
Lexus Cosmos, by Jean-Baptiste Henry
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
A transportation concept designed for both space and the lunar surface, the Lexus Cosmos features a fully sculpted glass shape that functions as a massive observatory to not only enjoy the view, but also explore the low gravity phenomenon. With a rear cockpit that emphasizes the driving feel and a front portion dedicated to contemplation, the idea was to create a new luxury and exclusive experience for the future.
Lexus Cosmos, by Jean-Baptiste Henry
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
A transportation concept designed for both space and the lunar surface, the Lexus Cosmos features a fully sculpted glass shape that functions as a massive observatory to not only enjoy the view, but also explore the low gravity phenomenon. With a rear cockpit that emphasizes the driving feel and a front portion dedicated to contemplation, the idea was to create a new luxury and exclusive experience for the future.
Lexus Cosmos, by Jean-Baptiste Henry
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
A transportation concept designed for both space and the lunar surface, the Lexus Cosmos features a fully sculpted glass shape that functions as a massive observatory to not only enjoy the view, but also explore the low gravity phenomenon. With a rear cockpit that emphasizes the driving feel and a front portion dedicated to contemplation, the idea was to create a new luxury and exclusive experience for the future.
Lexus Cosmos, by Jean-Baptiste Henry
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
A transportation concept designed for both space and the lunar surface, the Lexus Cosmos features a fully sculpted glass shape that functions as a massive observatory to not only enjoy the view, but also explore the low gravity phenomenon. With a rear cockpit that emphasizes the driving feel and a front portion dedicated to contemplation, the idea was to create a new luxury and exclusive experience for the future.
Lexus Lunar Cruiser, by Keisuke Matsuno
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
“Lunar Cruiser” is a multipurpose vehicle for land and sky use on the moon. It has large tires that provide comfortable movement even on rough lunar conditions and can turn 90 degrees to fly like a drone. These allow the driver to explore the lunar land and sky freely. The organically shaped cabin has a unique body graphic in the shape of a “3D spindle motion”, providing an open vision and comfortable interior space while having an iconic appearance.
Lexus Lunar Mission, by Yung Presciutti
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The Lunar Mission is for people to the first fly to reach and walk on the moon. The design integrates a liquid side body, which can reflect the universe while flying toward the moon. The wings are the iconic spindle shape integrated with the Lexus symbol mark as a main geometry.
Lexus Lunar, by Yung Presciutti
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Lexus Lunar is a massive transport vehicle designed to explore and discover the moon safely. The vehicle is divided into two parts: the bottom consists of a platform with 6 rugged wheels to give the freedom to go wherever you want. The upper part holds the living area. The two components of the vehicle can be also divided, with the upper portion detaching to create the start of a lunar colony.
Lexus Moon Racer, by Yung Presciutti
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The moon racer is dedicated to the varied peaks of the lunar surface. This recreational vehicle is made for one human who wants to enjoy the effects of the lower-gravity in an amazing spot. You can jump, climb, race and discover the entire moon. A giant glass bubble surrounds the driver in order to emphasize the feeling of freedom.
Zero Gravity, by Karl Dujardin
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The design of the Zero Gravity concept represents the Lexus future through reinterpretation of the signature spindle form. For Zero Gravity, the spindle grille becomes a 3D spindle architecture, and sharp and square edges transform into fluid and curved surfaces, creating a mysterious design language. The motorcycle-style architecture enables a stronger connection to driver/pilot allowing for more direct control and feedback as human and machine mesh. With this model, the driver maintains total control while gliding smoothly over the rough, pitted and bumpy lunar surface, even at an estimated speed of 500 kilometers per hour.
Zero Gravity, by Karl Dujardin
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The design of the Zero Gravity concept represents the Lexus future through reinterpretation of the signature spindle form. For Zero Gravity, the spindle grille becomes a 3D spindle architecture, and sharp and square edges transform into fluid and curved surfaces, creating a mysterious design language. The motorcycle-style architecture enables a stronger connection to driver/pilot allowing for more direct control and feedback as human and machine mesh. With this model, the driver maintains total control while gliding smoothly over the rough, pitted and bumpy lunar surface, even at an estimated speed of 500 kilometers per hour.
Zero Gravity, by Karl Dujardin
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The design of the Zero Gravity concept represents the Lexus future through reinterpretation of the signature spindle form. For Zero Gravity, the spindle grille becomes a 3D spindle architecture, and sharp and square edges transform into fluid and curved surfaces, creating a mysterious design language. The motorcycle-style architecture enables a stronger connection to driver/pilot allowing for more direct control and feedback as human and machine mesh. With this model, the driver maintains total control while gliding smoothly over the rough, pitted and bumpy lunar surface, even at an estimated speed of 500 kilometers per hour.
Zero Gravity, by Karl Dujardin
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The design of the Zero Gravity concept represents the Lexus future through reinterpretation of the signature spindle form. For Zero Gravity, the spindle grille becomes a 3D spindle architecture, and sharp and square edges transform into fluid and curved surfaces, creating a mysterious design language. The motorcycle-style architecture enables a stronger connection to driver/pilot allowing for more direct control and feedback as human and machine mesh. With this model, the driver maintains total control while gliding smoothly over the rough, pitted and bumpy lunar surface, even at an estimated speed of 500 kilometers per hour.
Bouncing Moon Roller, by Julien Marie
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
A bouncing moon roller protected by a flexible graphene nanotube based bubble, this structure allows the space roller to jump and roll with any angle over a wide range of terrain. In the gyroscope cell, a cockpit and batteries sit together. The wheel-like stabilizer creates a fun yet protected feel.
