Lexus has revealed its ROV concept, a side-by-side rugged UTV that’s powered by a hydrogen combustion engine.

The recreational off-highway vehicle (or ROV) promises near-zero-emissions driving with impressive off-road capability. According to Lexus, the concept demonstrates the firm’s commitment to ensuring exhilarating driving can exist in a carbon-free society.

Lexus ROV Concept exterior design
Lexus ROV: Hydrogen Power

Unlike the small but growing number of cars that use a hydrogen fuel cell – converting hydrogen to electricity to power an electric motor – the Lexus ROV uses the gas directly.

A 1.0-litre hydrogen combustion engine works much like a traditional petrol engine, but burns hydrogen that’s fed from a high-pressure tank directly into the combustion chamber. The process creates the pleasing engine note you might hope for but, more importantly, produces close to zero emissions, with only a negligible amount of engine oil burned during driving.

While Lexus has yet to release any output figures, with energy dentistry close to three times that of petrol, a hydrogen-powered model won’t be short of power.

Lexus ROV: Off-Road Ability

With exposed suspension, a protective cage and chunky off-road tyres, the Lexus ROV UTV bears all the hallmarks of an off-road-exclusive vehicle. Compact by nature, the 3,120mm long and 1,725mm wide ROV will get to areas that other off-roaders can’t.

A strong tubular frame, a lightweight body and a large degree of suspension travel ensures that the driver can enjoy the natural movement of the vehicle with the freedom to drive anywhere they desire.

Those getting behind the wheel will experience the ‘Lexus Driving Signature’, according to the manufacturer. That’s the ‘rewarding feeling of the car responding promptly, faithfully and smoothly to every throttle, braking and steering input.’

Lexus ROV Concept off road view
Lexus ROV: Design

The Lexus design team wanted to combine the rugged performance of a UTV with the human-centred philosophy of their luxury cars. Unusually for a UTV, there’s a significant amount of bodywork to protect passengers (incorporating an interpretation of Lexus’s signature spindle grille, of course) with robust front wings that allow for generous front suspension travel.

The rear suspension is covered, along with the rear-mounted hydrogen fuel tank. As well as protecting functional parts of the ROV, it conveys ‘a sense of durability inherited from Lexus’s SUVs.’

The front and rear lights and the Lexus badging across the back door link to the latest Lexus design language. The dark bronze paint finish has been specially created for the concept.

Despite its rugged capabilities, the interior is more luxurious than you might expect. A simple instrument panel to display the information the driver needs sits high and central, with synthetic leather seating (with integrated suspension elements that help smooth out the ride) and carbon fibre trim elsewhere in the exposed cabin.

Lexus ROV Concept Interior
Lexus ROV: Pricing and Availability

While Toyota intends to manufacture its second-generation hydrogen fuel cell modules on a new assembly line at its European research and development centre in Brussels, there are no plans to put the ROV into production.

“The Lexus ROV Concept is our response to the growing passion for the outdoors and adventurous spirit of luxury consumers,” explains Spiros Fotinos, head of Lexus Europe. “As a concept, it fuses our desire to also develop lifestyle-oriented products with our ongoing research into new technologies that contribute to carbon neutrality.

“As well as being a concept that is thrilling to drive, it has near-zero emissions thanks to its hydrogen-powered engine.”

Lexus ROV Concept rear view
Phil Huff
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