RX Hybrid

Make
Lexus
Segment
SUV

Lexus has been on a roll with its one-off special editions. The brand has put real effort into creating unique cars for special collaborations, and this is the latest. The custom Lexus RX 500h F Sport "Vibe-Branium" was built alongside adidas, adidas SEED, Calty Design Research, and 3D printing company Carbon for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Lexus says the vehicle and the clothing line that debuts alongside it were all made around a question: "What if Wakanda had a national athletic team?"

The patterns, materials, and semi-fictional Wakandan language all inspired the new collaboration and resulted in one of the most incredible interiors we've ever seen.

The pattern you see adorning the inside and outside of this RX will also be used throughout the adidas clothing line, pictured below. Just as the clothes feature special Wakandan nods, the RX does as well, like the grille.

Lexus says this is a nod to Black Panther's claw necklace. Gold details are another Panther tie-in, mimicking the accents on the suit of the new Black Panther. Special F Sport center caps on the wheels use the Wakandan alphabet (inspired by the South African language, Xhosa) to spell out the name of Lexus' sports-focused arm.

While Lexus handled the custom wrap, students from adidas' School for Experiential Education in Design (SEED) took to the interior.

Honestly, Lexus should've let them do the whole car. We'd pay good money to have this incredible interior in a production Lexus.

"We see adidas S.E.E.D as representing a new normal that opens doors for BIPOC women in the design space. It's a special moment when young creators are given the opportunity to stretch their creativity beyond their own comprehension. Lexus believes in this narrative and is excited to be a part of this process," said Sabina Charfauros-Redmon, creative lead, Lexus International.

To help the students with the design process, Calty hosted a series of workshops on automotive design.

The adidas Wakanda print covers the seat bolsters, featuring gold stitching. You'll also find it on the door panels and steering wheel. The wheel also reads "Wakanda Forever" in the semi-fictional language.

Usually, the door sill kick plate would read "F Sport," but instead, now does so in Wakandan with a gold background. The shifter surround is covered in laser-cut wood with gold trim as a final nod to the Black Panther and Wakanda.

As for the clothes, a special limited-release t-shirt designed by SEED students will be available "to select influencers" and includes the Wakandan proverb "educate a woman, educate a nation."

Lexus will also debut a featurette with visual storyteller Cami Thomas that documents the creation process for the RX, set to release in mid-November.