Lexus has unveiled two unusual art cars based on its electrified SUVs, with Brooklyn-based conceptual art collective MSCHF transforming the RZ 450e and RX 450h+ into bizarre sculptures designed to create the visual impression of motion while standing still.
MSCHF Stretches Lexus SUVs Like Taffy
MSCHF calls the two-car collection Motomorphosis. Although the sculptures look like something created in Photoshop or through AI, the works exist in the real world.
The RX 450h+ becomes the Twisted Car, depicting what the SUV could look like if its body and windows could be curled longitudinally without tearing the vehicle apart.
The RZ 450e sculpture, meanwhile, is called the Circle Car. MSCHF stretches the SUV into a ring, bringing the nose nearly to the tail. The artists designed it to appear as though the vehicle is driving in an infinite loop.
In photographs, the Circle Car creates a striking optical illusion. The sides of the RZ appear to disappear, while the artists largely conceal the seams in the added panels.
The production versions of both SUVs are displayed alongside the artworks, allowing potential Lexus buyers to see what the electrified SUVs actually look like.
Could Motomorphosis Influence Lexus Design?
Lexus has had a busy year introducing new or significantly updated models. The company has the TZ on the way for buyers seeking a luxurious, three-row family hauler with a fully electric powertrain.
The large EV offers at least 300 miles of range with the larger 95.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Dual electric motors, with one powering each axle, provide all-wheel drive. The SUV also features an unusual touch: speakers in the cabin play the sound of the Lexus LFA’s V10 engine when the vehicle accelerates.
Lexus has also refreshed the NX. The SUV receives a mildly updated exterior featuring split headlights and a rear LED bar. Inside, it has a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 14-inch infotainment screen, along with an updated hybrid powertrain and a more compact rear axle module.
After unveiling the new Lexus ES in 2025, the company announced specifications for the 2026 ES 350h this year. The model delivers up to 46 miles per gallon combined fuel economy and produces a total of 244 horsepower.
The ES 350h is also designed for quiet operation, using microfiber sound-absorbing material in the air intake, a more vibration-resistant exhaust, laminated side glass and Active Noise Control in the cabin.
Lexus’ Art Cars Push Design to the Extreme
As unusual as the Motomorphosis sculptures are, Lexus is not expected to build a production vehicle that literally chases its own tail. Still, the automaker has a history of using daring design language in its production vehicles.
Nothing as extreme as the Motomorphosis sculptures will appear in production vehicles. But their central idea—evoking motion while remaining stationary—is a theme that has long existed in the automotive scene.
