Lexus takes to the high seas with LY 650 luxury superyacht
With almost three decades of crafting luxury cars under its belt, Lexus is now launching into superyachts.
The first of its offshore fleet is the multi-million dollar LY 650, launching in 2019 and which the Japanese carmaker describes as its fourth flagship alongside the LS limousine, LC coupe and LX SUV.
Like its land-locked siblings, the LY 650 incorporates the marque’s 'L-finesse' design theme – but it all other respects the LY 650 is very, very different.
For a start, it can sleep six people in three staterooms and provide luxury lounges that are only a dream for even the world’s wealthiest car owners. It also has three onboard heads (boatie talk for toilets).
As yet, there is no detail for Australia, but Lexus confirms the yacht is 65 feet long - up from the 42-foot concept - with a beam of 19 feet, and will be built, sold and serviced through the well-known American boat building company Marquis-Larson.
“We’d definitely like to see it here. But, for the moment, there has been no announcement of a local introduction,” says Lexus Australia spokesman, Nick Raman. “We don’t know about how it can be showcased locally. But we’re definitely interested in the product.”
And as for the potential price down under? “We don’t have that yet,” admits Raman.
Ironically, the decision by Lexus to go ahead with the boat project comes soon after Aston Martin moored its own proposal for a super yacht.
But the LY is more about a design connection than a full-on yacht division.
And the company has made waves in the past with a number of cutting-edge projects, including a working hoverboard - inspired by the one ridden by Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies - which was demonstrated briefly on the beach at Los Angeles.
There is only one shortcoming in the Lexus LY project. The concept boat was built and promised with a pair of 5-litre Lexus V8 engines, but by the time the first production boat is launched next year it will be powered by a pair of Volvo Penta diesels.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Bruce Wayne might wanna update the Bat Boat with one of these beauties.
06 Jun 2017
Total posts 55
I saw one of the concept Lexus Yachts at the Japan Boat Show in Yokohama earlier this year. It was one of the most ridiculous yet coolest looking things I've ever seen.
04 May 2018
Total posts 43
And the world needs more marine diesels ofcourse? Sour grapes!
Altitude
26 Apr 2015
Total posts 4
Seems to tell me that Lexus can’t build a boat
04 Nov 2012
Total posts 212
Beas the pants of te Southern Cross 44' I had, it was a toy compared to this beauty.
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