On December 5, three new sports cars had their world premiere at the Inventor Garage in Woven City. Take a look.
Just put it out there
CBO Humphries
After that, Akio stood up and made a promise: “No more boring cars.”
So when we went to consult with him about how we would present this car at Pebble Beach this year, his answer was very simple:
“Just put it out there and let it speak for itself.”
And that is exactly what we did.
With no explanation, we let people form their own opinions.
And I’m very pleased to share that at Pebble Beach this year, not one person said that Lexus was boring!
To be innovative, adventurous, original to help our customers DISCOVER... this is what Lexus was born to do.
At this year’s Japan Mobility Show, CBO Humphries described the Lexus Sport Concept as a “chance to discover complete immersion.”
What challenges did the development present?
CBO Humphries
And with this car, we wanted our customers to discover a new level of sensory immersion.
For the vehicle behind me, this meant big breakthroughs, dramatic proportions, and packaging innovation.
Just look at the stance... that rear view... just beautiful. And all under 1,200 mm in height.
For any sports car, this is a huge challenge and a huge accomplishment.
And when this car is finally finished, it will answer Akio’s last request, and that is to completely redefine the sound of an electric sports car.
Now, we designed this car to really speak for itself, but that’s not simply by chance.
Because the car that you see here owes its existence to another story. And that brings me to the second tale of humiliation.
CBO Humphries paused for a breath before beginning his second story of humiliation.
Two engine sounds
CBO Humphries
This time on the race track.
I remember Akio telling me that at Nürburgring 20 years ago, he had an experience that he couldn’t forget.
It wasn't about being overtaken; it wasn’t about not coming first.
Rather, that he could see that other manufacturers were prioritizing racing.
They were using the occasion to nurture not only new technology and new products but to nurture the people who make them.
Camouflaged prototypes of cars never seen before being put through their paces on the world’s most unforgiving track.
As a company, Toyota at that time wasn't even trying to build a car capable of racing at the Nürburgring. In fact, we didn't even have a sports car on sale.
So Akio, alongside test driver Naruse-san, not only ended up driving an old Supra but doing so under the alias of Morizo with his own unknown private team, GAZOO Racing.
Every time he yielded to yet another development prototype, it was as if they were saying, “You guys at Toyota there’s no way you could ever build a car like this!”
Well that was then. This, is now.
With that, two sports cars emerged from off-stage: the GR GT and GR GT3 prototypes.