Above: LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING plane
Above: Yoshi Muroya
Above: LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING plane
This year saw the start of an incredible long-term collaboration between two of the biggest names in mobility — international luxury automotive brand LEXUS and Japan aerobatics pilot and race pilot Yoshihide “Yoshi” Muroya — as they join forces to advance and innovate technologies for modern motor vehicles and aircraft.
Inspired by Muroya’s attitude, philosophy and work ethic, LEXUS has been sponsoring the Japan-based pilot since 2016, but this year has seen the collaboration evolve to new heights of mobility development.
Having always had an interest in aviation since he was a child, Muroya started his specialist training at twenty and made it his goal to become a pilot with the “world’s best manoeuvring skills”. Albeit a somewhat challenging dream to achieve, given Japan had no training facilities for his requirements, Muroya somehow managed to overcome these obstacles and, in 2008, was named the Red Bull Air Race pilot for Japan. He became both the first Asian and the first Japanese pilot to be appointed to the position and proudly took sixth place in his debut year at the competition.
This set the ball in motion, and he faithfully persevered with his dream and went on to be crowned winner of the 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championship, which was, coincidentally, held in Chiba, Japan. Despite numerous obstacles throughout his career, Yoshi has endeavoured to constantly embrace these challenges to better himself and, in turn, the entire aviation industry.
Above: Yoshi and the LEXUS racing team showcasing their state-of-the-art technology at Round 5 of the SUPER GT held at Fuji Speedway.
After winning the world championship title and being ranked among the world’s top pilots, Yoshi called the attention of another industry leader, LEXUS, who was galvanised by his journey and closely supported his ambitions. It was an instant hit, and the collaboration enabled both sides to develop crossover technology opportunities that would benefit the automotive and aeronautical fields.
The launch of the “Technology Exchange Group” in 2017 further enhanced the partnership by allowing LEXUS and Muroya quick access to explore new and existing aircraft and automotive technologies and how they could be usefully shared to better both parties.
The think tank proved so successful that LEXUS and Muroya felt confident enough to create a new objective under the joint team name of LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING, and make history by working together to create a new wave of competitive vehicles.
Some of the main objectives that LEXUS and Muroya are focusing on include creating improved carbon-neutral developments within their sophisticated technology and aviation systems. With environmental issues being such an important topic, areas such as lowering emissions, using renewable energy or alternative fuels such as third-generation biofuels, are some of the inevitable changes that need to happen in order to make the aviation and automotive
industries more sustainable. As two partners committed to making a difference, LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING have been working tirelessly to be ahead of the game and embrace these positive developments and changes.
Above: LEXUS/Pathfinder Air Racing confirm their long-term partnership.
LEXUS and Pathfinder share essential information and expertise from both sides of their specialist fields in order to maximise their chances of success. Some of the noteworthy adjustments to Muroya’s latest racing aircraft include a control column grip with subtle sensitivity technologies, commonly used within LEXUS’s exclusive designs, and an
intelligent new turning manoeuvre based on the company’s latest aerodynamic testing data.
In turn, this year has seen LEXUS produce a new carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) spoiler using aerodynamic know-how from aircraft design. These new modifications have been adapted for use on the LEXUS LC flagship coupé and was introduced in Europe this year. Inspired by the accurate yet graceful flight of birds, the limited edition LEXUS LC flagship coupé is a triumph of aerodynamic technology. Created in partnership with Yoshihide Muroya, the state-of-the-art design focuses on using airflow for driving performance and aims to achieve a manoeuvrable driving experience that is akin to soaring in the sky. While a standard rear wing generates downforce to ensure excellent driving stability, the special wing controls the airflow on the sides of the vehicle, which allows for smoother changes, a quicker yaw response and ensures excellent driving stability.
Above: The limited edition LEXUS LC flagship coupé featuring new carbon fibre reinforced plastic as adapted from aircraft design with assistance from Muroya.
Meanwhile, Muroya has also been successfully working on his own projects to encourage a better understanding and interest in aviation and the space that surrounds us. The “Fly for ALL #Let’s look up at the sky” project, launched by Muroya in 2020, aims to inspire people to look up at the sky even for just a few moments a day. Having completed the debut flight in Fukushima Prefecture in June 2020, the pilot created a 1,000-metre-diameter smiley face in the sky at an altitude of approximately 3,000 meters. Japan’s world-class air race pilot has conducted flights in seven prefectures so far, and really believes that by looking up people can find renewed energy and hope, especially in difficult times. During the pandemic, Muroya felt that this small gesture had a huge impact on people’s morale and he received a lot of positive feedback from the project.
“After each flight, I check the videos posted with the ‘#Let’s look up at the sky’ message, and it’s fun to see how happy people are. It’s especially exciting to see how excited the children are.
“Then there was the time when some junior high school students painted a smiley face in human letters on the school grounds. It was so energising that even I was cheered up when I was flying.”
It was, therefore, a natural progression for LEXUS and Muroya to continue to work together. With LEXUS having refined and improved aerodynamics, cooling and ergonomics and Muroya’s commitment, talent and mastery of aviation, LEXUS and Pathfinder continue to challenge and break stereotypes in a variety of areas.
Above: Yoshi Muroya flying the LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING plane.
Above: “Fly for ALL #Let’s look up at the sky” project as seen at the Shibuya Crossing.
Above: Yoshi Muroya with his LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING plane.
In fact, LEXUS and Muroya’s desire to shape the future of mobility by bettering its environmental impact is the philosophy that underpins the entire partnership.
Based on the idea that “gruelling 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 utilise its aerodynamic, cooling, and weight-reduction technologies and know-how gained through gruelling air races to create ever-better cars for the realisation 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 and also create 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.
Similarly, Muroya also hopes to promote aerial culture and offer options for the aspiring locals and younger generation. As part of this concept, Muroya launched a pilot training program specifically for the youth generation (Youth Pilot Program).
Above: Flight performance by Yoshi at Fuji Speedway.
When asked why he created the program, his modest reply was, “I have always wanted to win in my career as an athlete. Originally, I pursued everything in my life as an athlete to win, but after winning the overall annual Red Bull Air Race Championship in 2017, I started to become aware of what the people around me have given me. They gave me many valuable things that money can never buy, but I think I would be punished if I accumulated too much of it (laughs).
“However, I do it for fun rather than out of a sense of mission to pass them on to the next generation. There is a different pleasure in watching a mentally immature high school student learn to fly on his own after participating in the Youth Pilot Program, and in watching him grow in that way, as opposed to winning a competition. Each one of them has something good to offer, but how can I bring out the best in them? That is the best part of being a teacher.”
The training programme has already seen three high school students successfully take to the skies as pilots after a year of rigorous training.
Muroya is committed to combining his years of air racing experience with talent development to ensure his wisdom is passed on to the new generation of budding pilots. His long-term vision is to create a sports-led community that preserves and protects the environment for years to come.
As new methods and know-how are developed, LEXUS and Pathfinder will continue to work together to implement these new possibilities in the fields of both automobiles and aircraft.
Above: LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING bring together the best minds from air and ground mobility technology.
Images © LEXUS PATHFINDER AIR RACING / Yusuke Kashiwazaki / Taro Imahara Tipp