Joining numerous other SUV concepts at the recent 2016 Paris Motor Show was Lexus’ UX concept, an undersized SUV preview from Toyota’s more luxurious arm.
The UX boasts many of the same design notes as the Japanese brand’s other SUVs such as the NX and RX, including a spindle grille and sharp, folded lines in the body. The UX also has square wheel arches and more defined front fenders. The design language is decidedly muscular and futuristic but remains very elegant.
Like other current SUV concepts, the Lexus UX comes with cameras in the place of exterior mirrors, giving it more streamlined aerodynamics.
Lexus also showed off its Kinetic Seat Concept at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. These seats adjust to accommodate the driver or riders’ weight and other external forces placed on the body by the vehicle’s motion. There is a flexible netting made of synthetic spider silk in place of the usual upholstery materials.
The rest of the interior takes on a spaceship-like feel, with the driver getting a see-through orb that features both digital and analog displays. Hologram-like displays for infotainment and climate control are also projected by a multi-surfaced crystal structure.
Lexus didn’t divulge powertrain details, but it can be expected that it will share a platform with the Toyota C-HR, the crossover slated to go on sale in 2018. A production version of the Lexus UX concept could arrive pretty quickly after its sister brand launches the C-HR.