Lexus LF-ZC is a 500-mile Tesla Model 3 rival made of… bamboo?

Yet another rival for the Tesla Model 3 is on the way, this time from Japan as the Lexus LF-ZC has been unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show, with the bamboo-lined concept car previewing an all-new model set to arrive by 2026.

The Lexus LF-ZC is set to act as a full-electric successor to the recently-discontinued Lexus IS hybrid saloon and, from what we can tell, will target the more driver-focused cars in a rapidly growing sector of the market, including the BMW i4 and Polestar 2.

Lexus says the production version of the LF-ZC will deliver “engaging and exhilarating dynamics”, aided by the same DIRECT4 dual-motor four-wheel-drive and steer-by-wire systems as the already-on-sale Lexus RZ SUV.

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It won’t entirely feature pre-existing technology, however; the Lexus LF-ZC is also set to utilise parent company Toyota’s latest ‘Performance’ battery technology. More efficient, yet cheaper to produce than current battery applications, Toyota says its Performance unit – also set to enter production in 2026 – will offer a range of up to 500 miles. 

The facelifted Tesla Model 3 and Volkswagen ID.7 are both already capable of over 400 miles on a charge, but this technology could make the Lexus LF-ZC one of the longest-range electric cars ever.

It’s unlikely the production Lexus LF-ZC will look quite as extreme as the concept car, although several design traits are likely to carry over. Buyers can expect the same sharp front-end design pioneered by the aforementioned RZ SUV, as well as plenty of creases in the bodywork and a sloping roofline to boost aerodynamic efficiency; the concept’s drag coefficient of under 0.2 CD would make it even slipperier than the Mercedes EQE.

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As alluded to earlier, Lexus has chosen to feature bamboo heavily within the design of the LF-ZC’s interior. One of the fastest-growing plants in the world and a hefty absorber of CO2, bamboo has been woven into the seat fabrics of the LF-ZC, as well as the interior trim and door handles.

Sustainable materials aside, perhaps the biggest focal point of the Lexus LF-ZC concept's interior is its yoke-style steering wheel and a multitude of screens. We expect the concept car’s yoke to be swapped out for a revised version of the RZ’s when it hits production, while the interior as a whole will almost certainly be toned down a notch.

Whatever form the Lexus LF-ZC’s infotainment system takes, we know it’ll run Toyota’s upcoming Arene OS software. This is said to offer several personalisation options, as well as downloadable apps and over-the-air updates to bring all the latest features and improvements.

Set to arrive by 2026, the Lexus LF-ZC will be a latecomer to an already rather busy sector of the market, with cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 already on sale. Given Lexus’ luxury status, we expect the zero-emissions saloon to cost a chunk more than rivals, likely starting from around £60,000 when it eventually goes on sale in the UK.