A refreshed body is being introduced for the 2017 Lexus IS series, so in order to highlight the new design something bright was needed. Last year they used electroluminescent paint on the RC-F which displayed the driver’s heartbeat. We thought nothing could top that build, but they have wowed us again. A new IS was covered in 41,999 LEDs, essentially turning the body into an HD display. Recording Artist Dua Lipa’s latest music video features the car in action, responding to gestures and beats of the music.
“A car as visually striking as the LIT IS required an equally dramatic debut,” said Brian Bolain, Lexus general manager of product and consumer marketing. “A music video was a perfect place to launch the LIT IS and working with Dua Lipa allowed the concept to come to life, putting a spotlight on the Lexus IS in an entirely new way.”
When the IS gets fully “LIT,” the car produces 175,000 lumens of light. If laid end to end the LED strands would stretch over a half-mile. The computer controlling the system has three operating modes. Attract mode uses curving gestures to highlight the contours of the new body. Music Viz takes cues from the soundtrack, turning the car into a brilliant oscilloscope. Gesture mode uses motion control from a gaming console to interpret and interact with movements of humans around the car.
This level of electronic wizardry undoubtedly takes a toll on the 12v system of the car, but hopefully the current draw is under 1.21 gigawatts. In building concept cars, Lexus have always taken the road less traveled. We don’t know how the LIT IS will be surpassed, but rest assured you will see it here on Autofluence.
