Nagoya, Japan

Now spearheading Lexus’ path to electrification, the new UX 300e brings with it a distinct character through design elements and materials which draw on aspects of Japanese heritage and culture.

Designed by Tetsou Miki, Chief Designer, and his team at Lexus, the UX 300e is Japan’s first all-electric luxury car and further strengthens Lexus’ lead in developing alternative drivetrains based on an unmatched 15-year electrification program and no fewer than 10 Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid models, several already with 4th generation hybrid drivetrains.

In developing the UX 300e, Lexus utilized the knowledge acquired developing the brand’s industry-leading hybrid systems, and applied the same level of quality and comfortable operation to its first production EV as it always has with other vehicles.

The Lexus engineering team delivered outstanding battery reliability, and also adopt the latest connectivity technology to maximize everyday usability and the functionality with smartphones.

Distinctive styling and high functionality from the Lexus UX compact crossover were passed on to the UX 300e, providing an excellent overall package.

In addition to the bold and sophisticated exterior reminiscent of tough and agile driving, Lexus developed special aerodynamic wheels and underbody cover for the UX 300e.

The location of the shift-by-wire system on the center console contributes to the simplicity and functionality of the interior design.

Lexus prioritizes the development of the most advanced safety technologies and quickly delivering them to drivers. UX 300e adopts Lexus Safety System+, as Lexus continues to pursue the prevention of accidents and fatalities, as well as decreasing driver stress and developing driver-assist systems to provide a more natural and safe driving experience.

The UX 300e has relatively compact exterior dimensions, but its designers wanted to ensure that the inside felt open and spacious. They found inspiration for this in Japanese architecture.

UX 300e Chief Designer Tetsuo Miki explains: “Japanese houses often have a veranda, which manages the boundary between the inside and the outside – so you can pass easily from one to the other.”

“This idea was adopted for the new UX 300e and creates a seamless connection between the inside and outside of the car.”

Inside, occupants will notice how the upper section of the instrument panel appears to extend beyond the windshield to the exterior of the car.

This gives the driver a good sense of the extremities of the vehicle, making it much easier to manoeuvre in confined spaces.

Behind the wheel, the influences are apparent from the dashboard trim, which recalls the grain of a paper known as “washi,” familiar from the paper sliding doors of traditional Japanese houses.

On the seats, the smooth yet durable leather upholstery is inspired by “sashiko,” a 1,200-year old Japanese quilting technique. The quilted leather is decorated with perforation patterns that form mathematical curves and gradations in perfect alignment, enhancing the appearance of the seats.

“Featuring up to 10 stitches per inch, the strength of the ancient ‘sashiko’ technique has made it popular in both traditional fire-fighting uniforms and in aikido martial art,” explains Lexus’ Interior Designer Keiko Shishido.

Japan’s age-old Omotenashi philosophy of treating customers as if they were a guest in one’s home is foremost in the mind of every Lexus designer and engineer.

Encompassing a sense of “anticipating a guest’s needs even before they do,” it finds practical expression in features throughout the UX 300e.

The windscreen wipers, for example, automatically stop when a door opens, preventing guests entering or exiting the UX300e from being splashed.

The hands-free power tailgate makes for convenient loading and unloading.

The S-Flow Climate Control discharges mildly acidic nano-e® ions, filling the cabin with fresh air and creating an atmosphere that gently moisturizes skin and hair.

The UX 300e is available with special acoustic glass which shields occupants from exterior noise.

The power windows, which slow down when closing to reduce noise, mimic the courteous way in which a “fusuma” (sliding door) is closed in sophisticated Japanese restaurants.

The UX 300e extends “Omotenashi” customer service to the EV driver through the Lexus Link app, enhancing the Lexus Electrified ownership experience with bespoke services like remote charging, remote air conditioning/defrosting and a charging station finder.

It provides access to a pan-European network of public charging stations, displaying availability, charging speed and price per kWh.

Project: Lexus UX 300e
Designers: Toyota & Lexus Global Design
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation