The Lexus LC 500 features a stunning, concept car-like design that turns heads wherever it goes. Beyond that, all of the Lexus road cars are actually pretty striking to look at thanks to the love-it-or-hate-it spindle grille, and the company's concept cars are even wilder. To demonstrate what Lexus design would look like in the future - and not just on cars - Lexus asked architects and designers to create seven concept vehicles to be used on the moon. The project was for art and fashion magazine Document Journal's issue number 15
Drawing on inspiration from the Lexus LF-30 Electrified concept, five designers worked to create seven vehicles that could tackle the lunar landscape. Each of the seven vehicles offers a unique method for traveling around the lunar surface. Sadly, we doubt any of them will evolve to be anything more than drawings because they're downright fantastic looking.
The Zero Gravity (pictured above), is a single-rider vehicle designed by Karl Dujardin to use Magnetic Levitation technology. It features a motorcycle riding position and is even shaped like the Lexus spindle grille. Then there's the Lexus Cosmos, by Jean-Baptiste Henry (also pictured above). It features a sculpted glass shape that can be used as a massive observatory and also floats suing zero-gravity technology.
Pictured below are the Lexus Lunar Cruiser by Keisuke Matsuno as well as the Lexus Moon Racer and Lexus Lunar by Yung Presciutti. All three travel the lunar surface using traditional wheels but the Lunar Cruiser can turn its wheels 90 degrees to fly like a drone and the Lexus Lunar offers six wheels for greater off-road capability.
The Lexus Lunar Mission by Yung Presciutti and Bouncing Moon Roller by Julien Marie (both pictured below) are less conventional. The Lunar Mission is used to fly around the moon's surface while the Bouncing Moon Roller is meant to jump and roll over any terrain.
"When Document Journal approached us about the Lunar Design Portfolio, our team was working on the LF-30 Concept, which represents the 'Lexus Electrified' futuristic vision for Lexus. The design team was already looking beyond near-term production and ahead to how advanced technology will change the way we interact with vehicles," said Ian Cartabiano, President of European Advanced Design Studio for Toyota and Lexus. "The lunar project came at the right time, halfway through the LF-30 development. It gave the team a chance to dream further out, and then apply some of the design language from the LF-30 interior to their lunar proposals."