A few years ago, Toyota's Marine Department invited the President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, to spend several days on the water to drive their new yacht range, called Ponam, soon to be launched in Japan. He was immediately won over by the power of the turbodiesel engines and the handling and stability of the hulls.
As Chief Branding Officer of Lexus International - a brand of cars including hybrids - he saw the potential for a high-end, high-performance yacht to complement the Lexus lifestyle market. The Marine department therefore worked to create a luxury yacht concept that would bring the automotive brand into the lifestyle and leisure sector.
The brand today unveils its "Lexus Sport Yacht" project in Di Lido Island, Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach, Florida. This concept is a unique, tailor-made project, without any production intention explains the car brand. To design this unique model, Lexus called upon the Marquis-Carver Yacht Group, accustomed to hand-crafting large composite structures.
The Lexus Design Center has imagined a cabin-cruiser type sports yacht with a foredeck and a large cockpit to spend a day at sea or even a night. Six to eight people can embark on this 42-foot (12.7 m) yacht, powered by two powerful Lexus 5-liter sterndrive V8 engines, based on the high-performance 2UR-GSE engine of the Lexus RC F coupe, the GS F sports sedan and the new LC 500 grand tourer. Each engine produces 440 horsepower and speeds up to 43 knots (49 mph). The Lexus Sport Yacht is also equipped with a bow thruster and a joystick for docking manoeuvres.
On the first visuals, we can see a foredeck that is very imposing compared to the rest of the boat and very elongated and pointed. The silhouette is modern, uncluttered, luxurious and sporty. The upper deck, hull and internal structure have been designed as a single unit, made of epoxy resin and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), a material used in the construction of racing cars and which allows a weight saving of 1,000 kg compared to a similar yacht made of fibreglass reinforced plastic. The stepped hull reduces strength and drag at high speeds.
The cockpit is central, protected by a profiled windshield. There is a steering wheel reminiscent of a car, with a screen in the centre, as well as all the navigation elements: GPS navigation, digital maps, surface radar, underwater sonar, lighting and entertainment systems. The pilot's seat is rather original, installed in the centre of the boat, with two armrests that fold out on each side for folding seat style seating. A total of three people can sit in front of the steering console.
The rest of the cockpit is uncluttered, with two side benches with shapes reminiscent of the waves. Finally, glazing and transparent steps cover the rear of the cockpit, to reveal the engines. A small bathing platform completes the exterior layout.
Below deck, the cabin is luxurious, in leather, with wood and glass details. With a nice height underneath, there is a sofa for 6 people, with a table. The space is air-conditioned and also has a small kitchen with a stove, sink and refrigerator. Finally, a double cabin with a shower room can accommodate a couple to sleep.
An integrated audio-video entertainment system is fully networked, with 4G WiFi and WAN.
"This Lexus Sport Yacht concept allowed us to explore how Lexus design could be applied to a maritime lifestyle. For the Lexus Design Center, this project is very exciting. It allows us to push the imagination of creative people to conceive and imagine lifestyle possibilities different from the automotive field, which we know well", said Yoshihiro Sawa, executive vice president of Lexus International.
Technical data
| Total length | 12.7 m (42 feet) |
| Width | 3.86 m (13 feet) |
| Payload | 8 people |
| Total power | 885 hp (873 ps) 660 kW |
| Max. speed | 43 knots |
