Lexus is getting ready to launch its new sports car, and there’s still a lot we don’t know about it. The automaker started teasing the production model with the Sport Concept in August, and now we have our first peek inside, revealing that it is, in fact, a hybrid.
The cabin looks pretty wild at first glance, but upon closer inspection, it’s more production-ready than you’d think. The most noticeable feature is the lack of a central infotainment screen. Instead, Lexus designed a wild-looking digital instrument display to feature a pair of smaller, winged screens that flank the main one.
The screen clearly shows a 70-percent battery with “Power” and “Charge” indicators flanking the selected gear, which sits above a bold M that likely represents manual mode. The screen also shows tire temperature and pressure—86 degrees Fahrenheit and 33.4 psi.
The car features a steering yoke that has an assortment of physical controls, including buttons, rockers, and switches. There are paddle shifters, with the left one branded “RE” that likely adjusts the level of regenerative braking.
The Sport Coupe also features a new interpretation of the LC’s drive mode stalks that stick out from the instrument hood. They’re located behind the steering wheel, hanging off the column on the coupe.
The right one features your gear selector, while it’s difficult to discern what the left one is for. There’s an “Off” button at the end of the left stalk, with M and N options clearly visible. The switch appears to read “Manual BEV,” but the last three letters are hard to see.
The passenger side of the car is devoid of anything special—whoever sits there is just along for the ride. There’s no central infotainment screen or a third-screen experience for a bored passenger. There’s a green accent that extends across the dash and onto the door card, but that’s it.
Photo by: Lexus
The last few controls we see are placed at the bottom of the silver lattice accents flanking the cockpit. There are three buttons on the right for power, possibly for HVAC, the rear defroster, and the window/windshield defroster.
The controls on the left are part of the door, and the lattice portion intertwines with the accent on the dash when closed. The buttons there are for the surround-view cameras, brake hold, and parking assist.
It’s a bold interior cabin that we hope doesn’t change much to the production version. The lack of a central screen feels like a bold move, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it changes before the real car debuts.
