Lexus UX Concept for Paris 2016 – 3D drive experience

As we already know, Lexus will be bringing a compact crossover concept to the Paris Motor Show. The Lexus UX Concept, as it is called, “showcases Lexus’ vision for a compact SUV of the future,” the company says. It should be as good as done, the junior SUV that will slot under the NX and RX in Lexus’ line-up.

Lexus is also using the UX Concept as a platform to showcase the brand’s “redefinition of the driving experience.” Toyota’s premium brand says that the 3D Human Machine Interface (HMI) technology provides occupants with a fully immersive experience. It was designed to offer progressive customers who live and work in an ever-connected environment an innovative, three-dimensional driver experience.

In the official dashboard image above, the instrument binnacle houses a transparent globe, floating in the manner of a hologram, in which a combination of analogue and digital information express a functional yet novel user interface. The centre console features a facetted crystal structure within which a hologram-style display of the air-con and infotainment systems is clearly visible to the driver and front passenger.

The sci-fi continues with electro-chromatic windows, and door mirrors that have been replaced by e-mirror camera housings. All switchgear is electrostatic, and housed under transparent covers. Finally, the fin motif used on the A pillar is repeated on the dashboard, a demountable sound bar built into the passenger side.

“Our brief was to create a new genre of compact crossover; a vehicle that could create something unique from a customer’s point of view?an innovative, three-dimensional, fully immersive user experience,” said Stephan Rasmussen, designer at the company’s ED2 European Design Centre.

We first heard of the “UX” back in February, when Japanese premium brand trademarked the UX 200, UX 250 and UX 250h names in Australia. With the NX placed in the BMW X3/Audi Q5/Mercedes GLC arena, the UX will count the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA as rivals. A possible USP will be hybrid tech. No one can afford to skip this party, and Lexus would be hoping for another fashionably late entrance.

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