Lexus explained that the ROV (an acronym that stands for Recreational Off-highway Vehicle) is its "response to the growing passion for the outdoors and adventurous spirit of luxury consumers." It also illustrates the brand's wish to design lifestyle-oriented products, and it showcases the engineering department's research into new technologies. The ROV stretches 322 inches long, 68 inches wide and 71 inches wide. And, while it doesn't wear a giant spindle grille, it falls in line with the Lexus design language thanks to angular body panels.
Inside, the ROV offers a pair of seats with harnesses and suspension elements to filter out bumps, carbon fiber accents and a relatively simple instrument cluster with an analog tachometer and a digital display. Lexus notes that the "Tazuna" approach to interior design that has shaped most of its recent concept cars permeated the ROV, meaning the cabin is human-centric. Interestingly, it also points out that the ROV meets the same quietness, durability, and reliability standards as the regular-production cars it sells, which is no small feat.
Power comes from a direct-injected 1.0-liter engine that burns compressed hydrogen stored in a tank. Lexus didn't publish technical details so we don't know how much horsepower or torque the engine makes. Its cylinder count wasn't even published, though zooming in on the exhaust manifold confirms that it's a three-cylinder. It's likely not a coincidence that parent company Toyota tested a hydrogen-powered Corolla race car powered by a 1.0-liter hydrogen-burning triple earlier in 2021. That engine was turbocharged, however; this one is not.
Looking at the center console reveals the ROV is equipped with a two-speed transfer case and locking differentials, so it should be capable off the beaten path. Lexus also tells us its first side-by-side offers users a large amount of suspension travel.
Is this purely theoretical, or is Lexus serious about taking on Polaris? We've asked, and we'll update this story if we learn more.
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スモールカーなら水素車は直ぐにでも出せるとでも？ミライ乗れるのは都心部だけじゃんね。水素ステーションも足らんし、急速充電できるスタンドが無きゃ電気自動車の普及は進まないと思う、現にヨーロッパでは自動車メーカーが主導して充電ステーションの容量が大きいものが主流で短時間(ランチ休憩程度)で70～80％の充電が可能だが、日本で充電ステーションを建てているのは電力会社、短時間だとまた、途中で充電しなきゃいけないレベルの充電しかできない。単位は忘れたが欧州は900を１台で充電するのに対して、日本の充電設備は500ぐらいを4～5台で分け与えるタイプ。最初は１台かもしれないが高速道路の充電スポットに次のクルマが来て２台、半分の電力で充電すれば充電時間はおのずと伸びる、フル充電なんて１日。トヨタや日産などが主導していかなければ充電渋滞、いや高速道路でバッテリ切れのクルマが止まっているとか先は想像出来よう。アリアもいいがまずインフラ整備でしょ！
