Lexus LF-0 Gravity | Document Journal 2020

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WHAT WILL WE DRIVE ON THE MOON?

Lexus shows fashion magazine Journal Document the future.

There are many reasons for this renewed interest in space exploration : the curious nature of human beings that calls us to explore the unknown ; the desire to combat climate change by "off-planeting" heavy industry in an effort to return the Earth to a more natural state. Whatever the reasons, the inevitability of establishing a settlement in the final frontier is undeniable, and it looks as though the Moon will serves as our extraterrestrial base camp for farther explorations to Mars and beyond.

For Document's Fall/Winter 2019 Issue, the magazine invited a selection of the culture's most compelling architects, designers, artists, thinkers, and even DJ to find their inner Major Toms and imagine human life on the Moon. Document asked Lexus to consider what our vehicles will look like - how will we navigate the Moon's low-gravity, rocky terrain?

Rooting the design in the latest terrestrial models, here is one of the proposals for cruising the lunar landscape.

"When we started the lunar concept, we were working on the LF-30 Concept, which represents the "Lexus Electrified" futuristic vision for Lexus. We had a chance to go beyond near-term production and look ahead to how advanced technology will change the way we interact with vehicles. The "Lexus Electrified" vision target a fundamental leap in vehicle performance, handling, control, and driver enjoyment - even as mobility within our society continues to change with autonomous driving and vehicle electrification" says Ian Cartabiano, Toyota Europe Design President.

The approach to power and propulsion of the "Zero Gravity" concept relies on utilising the Moon's magnetic field and the energy created between the lunar surface and the vehicle. Taking advantage of the surface composition of the Moon, which consists of iron, a significant magnetic field can be generated.

The motorcycle-style body is designed to allow for more direct control and feedback for the driver / pilot, and it elevates the communication between human and machine. With this concept model, the driver maintains total control while gliding smoothly over the rough and bumpy lunar surface.

The design of the "Zero Gravity" concept represents a lunar Lexus future through reinterpretation of the signature spindle form. For "Zero Gravity", the spindle grill becomes a 3-D spindle architecture, and sharp and square edges transform into fluid and curved surfaces, creating a mysterious language.

"We were inspired by the design language we were developing for the "LF-30 Electrified", and the lunar proposals were a chance for the team to dream even further out. Using that design language we were trying to create a very futuristic and forefront statement that still conveys a premium style" add Ian Cartabiano.

The "Zero Gravity" concept is using the minimal gravity to find another way to skim the Moon's surface and utilising our Lexus concept's driver connection philosophy to create a new aesthetic and experience - it is like driving a motorcycle on the Moon.

It utilises a cold-fusion reactor that amplifies the Moon's magnetic field, and thanks to the Moon's reduced gravity, it is able to make the vehicle floats, or levitates, and moves it in any direction by managing the pull and push of the magnetic field.

This lunar concept represents much-evolved version of the Magnetic Levitation transportation that is already in use within the confines of Earth's gravity, such as high-speed maglev trains. On the lunar surface we can bring the concept to the next level.