In 2016, Lexus started a partnership with Muroya, a Japan-based, world-renowned air race pilot. Tightly aligned with Muroya’s inspirational never-give-up attitude and spirit, Lexus has since continued to sponsor him.

In 2017, Lexus and Muroya launched a “Technology Exchange Group” to regularly study each other’s technologies and explore the possibility of new technologies in the area of aircraft and automobiles. The discussions led to the joint development of a control column grip for Muroya’s aircraft that incorporates Lexus’s sensitivity technologies, as well as a new way for his aircraft to turn based on aerodynamic analysis stemming from Lexus vehicle test data. This year a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) spoiler, developed by incorporating aerodynamic technology used in aircraft design, was even adopted for use in the LC and sold in select regions.

The coming debut of The Air Race spurred Lexus and Pathfinder, to form a partnership agreement. Realizing the need to further accelerate their joint efforts so that they could quickly link the technologies and know-how of both sides to develop racing machines, they established “Lexus/Pathfinder Air Racing” as a joint race team. Lexus intends to dispatch technical coordinators to support the development and verification of technologies in the fields of aerodynamics, cooling, and ergonomics, to build a strong team structure that can lead Muroya to victory. This new team, “Lexus/Pathfinder Air Racing,” will strive to make history by winning the first championship of The Air Race.

Based on the idea that “grueling air races train people and train technology,” Lexus and Muroya will apply the technology and know-how cultivated through air races to create a better society in both respective fields. Lexus will utilize its aerodynamic, cooling, and weight-reduction technologies and know-how gained through grueling air races to create ever-better cars for the realization of a carbon-neutral society. In addition to air racing, Muroya will continue to develop new talent that will lead to the next generation of mobility, while also creating an airfield for testing in cooperation with Fukushima Prefecture. With the cooperation of local companies, he will promote carbon-neutral aircraft starting with supporting instructional education of light-sports aircraft (LSA) manufacturing. Lexus and Pathfinder will work toward new possibilities in the fields of both automobiles and aircraft.