Lexus Sport Yacht Concept Arrives Packing Twin 5.0L V8s
It looks like Lexus is thinking about building other modes of transportation.
On Thursday, Lexus showed the Sport Yacht Concept, proving that the luxury brand can lend its name to a premium watercraft. Power comes from a pair of 5.0-liter V8s that make 440 horsepower each, enough to propel this 42-foot boat up to a top speed of 49 mph. To aid in docking, there is a bow thruster with a joystick control aid.
The upper deck and outer hull of the boat are bonded seamlessly with the structure of the boat and each is a piece of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. This is the same technology Lexus uses for its racecars and for the LFA supercar. Using the CFRP helps save about 2,200 pounds compared to a fiberglass hull.
SEE ALSO: You Can Get into a 2018 Lexus LC Coupe for Under $100K
The hull design has also been optimized with a stepped design to reduce drag and resistance.
Being a Lexus, of course the yacht uses the best materials, with the forward passenger cabin outfitted with wood and glass details, a standing height ceiling, air conditioning and a galley with a two-burner stove and refrigerator.
Toyota’s Marine Business Department was established in 1997 and continues to build all sorts of boats today. Although this concept has no production intent, it does prove what Toyota could do if it ever wanted to release a luxury yacht.
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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