Lexus LY 650 Luxury Yacht marries Japanese performance with Italian aesthetics
‘Lexus is a boring brand.’ These were five words that Akio Toyoda was determined never to hear again when he became president of Toyota. ‘Hearing this made me feel embarrassed and bitter: Toyota is practically my name so I’d feel personally hurt when one of our Lexus cars was hit, hurt or insulted,’ he recalls. Consequently, there has been great change, from the acclaimed annual Lexus Design Event at Milan's Salone, through to airport lounges and even hoverboards, Lexus has transformed from a car brand to a lifestyle brand. The new Lexus LY 650 Luxury Yacht is the ultimate example.
Classed as a ‘sports yacht’, the LY 650 is bigger than a standard speedboat at 65’5”, but with up to 1,350hp available it’s certainly no gin palace more suited to posing at Cannes. Instead, it’s sleek, powerful and comfortable as well as efficient: the boat’s guidance system is programmed to produce optimal – rather than the fastest – performance, and the trim interceptors on the hull keep the boat from pitching when the ocean is squally.
There hasn’t been a literal transference of ‘car to boat’ here, apart from the signature stitching on some door panels. Lexus approached the Italian company Marquis Yachts to manufacture the LY 650; the challenge was to merge Italian and Japanese design philosophies. This wasn’t as discordant as one might assume: Dan Lenard, interior designer at Nuvolari Lenard, felt that the Japanese minimalism married well with the cleaner, subtle approaches in Italian culture (think ‘Armani’ rather than ‘Versace’).
Walking through the yacht is a calming, sumptuous experience. Furnished with soft carpet underfoot, there is a muted palette of neutral whites, creams and greys, plus wooden veneer wall panels. All appliances have been hidden for a neater appearance, yet despite this minimalist approach the overall effect isn’t in the least bit sterile. At the heart of Lexus design lies their philosophy of ‘L-Finesse’, based upon principles of Japanese hospitality and aesthetics. The brief here was ‘movement without movement’, so the curved lines are intended to be welcoming and draw guests in (plus it’s great for those still finding their sea legs).
Unveiled in Miami, the yacht comes in an unusual grey/rose gold combination, although currently there are five colourways available. However, at $3.7 million, if the buyer wants neon green, that can no doubt be accommodated. Going on public sale in the USA on 30 October, the company hopes to make around 6-8 examples each year. As it currently stands, five have been sold, largely to car dealers and real estate developers in the US. However, there has been one buyer over in Japan: Akio Toyoda himself. The ultimate endorsement? Able to find the anonymity when sailing in Miami that he cannot enjoy in his native country, the eagle-eyed out there may spot Toyoda cruising Florida’s motorways. Whether they’ll see him on a hoverboard, however, is another matter.
INFORMATION
Lexus LY 650, from $3.7m. lexus.com/future/LY-650
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
-
Inside Valentino’s glamorous new Sloane Street store, inspired by the art of haute couture
The latest in Valentino’s ‘The New Maison’ store concept opens on London’s Sloane Street this week, offering an enveloping marble and carpet-clad space of ‘intimacy and uniqueness’
By Jack Moss Published
-
Aesop’s Salone del Mobile 2024 installations in Milan are multisensory experiences
Aesop has partnered with Salone del Mobile to launch a series of installations across Milan, tapping into sight, touch, taste, and scent
By Hannah Tindle Published
-
Dial into the Boring Phone and more smartphone alternatives
From the deliberately dull new Boring Phone to Honor’s latest hook-up with Porsche, a host of new devices that do the phone thing slightly differently
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Riva El-Iseo is the legendary boat builder’s first fully-electric motor yacht
The Riva El-Iseo electric speedboat blends classic Italian lines with a silent, powerful and zero-emission powertrain
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Lexus LM wants you to have the back-seat ride of your life
The back of the Lexus LM has the space, grace and accoutrements to rival a Rolls-Royce. Can this upscale minivan reinvent the luxury car?
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Marjan van Aubel’s ‘8 Minutes and 20 Seconds’ installation with Lexus is our Best Solar Roller
The Dutch solar designer Marjan van Aubel mounted an interactive installation in Miami to introduce Lexus’ new zero-emission LF-ZC concept car
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
The debut Japan Mobility Show saw the country’s carmakers preview the near future
The 2023 Japan Mobility Show offered up a vast array of futuristic transportation, from concept sports cars to autonomous taxis, and eVTOL aircraft
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
New Lexus LBX is big on quality, small in size, with a clean contemporary design language
Lexus downscales luxury with the new LBX crossover, a compact hybrid that’s the Japanese premium brand’s smallest product to date
By Guy Bird Published
-
This conceptual pairing of eVTOL and electric superyacht is a new expression of stealth wealth
Silent Yachts has teamed up with British eVTOL manufacturer VRCO to integrate the Xcraft XP4 into the flagship Silent 120 electric catamaran
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
BMW Motorrad brings out the big guns for its newest cruisers
BMW Motorrad R 18 Bagger and Transcontinental set the tone for high-voltage cruising with a brand collaboration with speaker specialist Marshall
By George Chapman Last updated
-
Is McLaren’s GT a sports car, a tourer, or the best of both?
The McLaren GT is a capable all-rounder dressed up in svelte supercar clothes. It might also be the last of its type
By Jonathan Bell Last updated