Lexus may be known for cars like the ultra-luxurious LS, the sporty IS and GS, and crossovers such as the RX and NX. But just like any upscale brand, it likewise wants to spread its wings and dabble into more lifestyle-oriented products. Case in point is the Lexus Sport Yacht Concept, which was unveiled at Di Lido Island, Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach in Florida.
The one-off concept is essentially an open-air marine vessel used for touring and a bit of watersport activity. Developed as early as 2015 by Toyota Marine Department, its structure is made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), woven around the inner shell. If the name sounds familiar this is the same stuff used to build the lightweight yet strong bodies of supercars like the Lexus LFA.
In this application, CFRP saves up to around 1,000kg vis-à-vis a fiberglass-bodied ship, making for a truly lightweight boat. Combine this with a stepped underwater hull design and you’ve got one sharp handling vessel that glides through the water with the greatest of ease. Speaking of ease, the Sport Yacht is motivated by two (yes, 2) 5.0-liter V8 motors—the same 2UR GSE mils found on cars like the RC F, LC 500, and GS F—that each put out 440hp. This is enough to bring the boat up to speeds of 43 knots or 80kph. All that juice is coursed through a pair of inboard/outboard stern drives, as well as a joystick bow thruster that aids in docking.
True Lexus luxury is naturally present here. This can be seen ion details like a six-passenger sofa, a table, leather and glass amenities, and an infotainment system with 4G LTE and Wifi connectivity, among others. The last bit even features sound preproduction by Revolution Acoustics and a Mark Levinston amplifier. Passengers will likewise be well fed, thanks to niceties like a two-burner stove, and a refrigerator. A sink and shower are also on hand to keep clean.
As for the captain of the ship, he can monitor its progress via the touchscreen display. The high tech piece shows stuff like GPS navigation, surface radar, underwater sonar, digital charts, along with infotainment and lighting data. The captain’s seat is even power adjustable to help find that perfect sailing position.
At present the Lexus Sport Yacht is pretty much a one-off showpiece. But who knows? Lexus may one day find itself sailing the high seas.
