Lexus is known for its sleek automobiles, but soon its customers will be able to navigate the seas. The company recently announced it’s producing a luxury, private yacht.
After a few years of speculation, Lexus finally revealed its newest creation: a 65-foot yacht called the LY 650. The car manufacturer has dubbed the yacht its fourth flagship Lexus (following the LC coupe, LS sedan, and LX SUV).
Production has yet to begin on the LY 650, but Lexus has revealed its vision through a series of computer-generated images and plans to unveil the ship in late 2019. Lexus international President Yoshihiro Sawa is the man behind the vision, and he aims to build on a brand that “explores new ways to deliver innovative and amazing experiences for our guests.”
Executive Vice President Shigeki Tomoyama hopes to “present a dream-like vision of the luxury lifestyle; one where the Lexus Yacht expands the potential of Lexus mobility to the ocean.”
Lexus has partnered up with Wisconsin boat builder Marquis-Larson on the project. While the Lexus L42 LF-1 sport yacht concept from 2017 was the first L-finesse-inspired boat, the LY 650 is the first to feature L-finesse design language. Many of the characteristics of the 42-foot concept pleasure boat are included on the 65-foot LY 650, such as the 19-foot beam form, the pronounced bow, curved deck accents and accentuated aft hips.
Volva Penta is providing the powertrain—900-hp, 12.8 liter inline-6IPS 1200 diesel engines, which will be standard. An upgraded version will feature the IPS 1350 version with 1,000 hp.
Lexus isn’t blindly entering the marine market. Its parent company, Toyota, is known for producing sports fishing boats, cruisers, and other water crafts. It’s unclear how much the LY 650 will cost, but it won’t be cheap. So-called “entry-level yachts” that are half the size cost around $100,000. Plus, owners will have to supply yearly operating expenses and equipment (such as life jackets).
