The next all-electric Lexus SUV will be releasing in 2027 and initially selling in China only, Nikkei Asia reports citing its own sources within the company. To maximize weight and cost savings, the model will be built using an industrial approach called gigacasting.
The word “gigacasting” has been around for multiple decades now, but it was Tesla that popularized it for the automotive industry. High-pressure casting of large aluminum body components for cars results in seamless and durable parts capable of withstanding high loads despite their relatively low weight.
Not only that, but these large solid panels require fewer welding seams, riveting work and other kinds of assembly, achieving more at a lower price point. The main downside, according to reviewers, is the relatively high cost of repairs: should a car get damaged in an accident, it’s likelier to be deemed a complete write-off.
Details on this upcoming Lexus SUV EV are scarce at the moment. All we know is that the production for China will be localized in Shanghai, further lowering the costs compared to importing from Japan. Lexus had originally intended to produce an EV based on its LF-ZC Concept from 2023, but later shelved that project. We suppose the company could produce a China-specific variant of the Lexus TZ it’s been developing for the global market (featured in the gallery and the video above). That one’s expected to reach the showrooms in 2027.