Ice one, Lexus

Lexus reckons it’s created the world’s coolest car with wheels crafted from solid ice!

The driveable NX was created in association with London-based Hamilton Ice Sculptors and the project involved three months’ research, design and testing.

For the Lexus commission – the first of its kind – genuine NX wheels and tyres were laser scanned and replicated using computer design and numerical control techniques.

Four sculptors worked for 36 hours to produce each wheel. The millimetre-perfect finish was achieved with hand-crafting, using Japanese steel chisels and shaping tools. Even the tread patterns on the tyres were faithfully reproduced.

The ice was made from softened water taken from a moving flow to ensure it was perfectly clear when taken from the freezer. Acrylic inserts were added to ensure the wheels could take the load of the NX.

The finished wheels were fitted to a Lexus NX for the ultimate ice drive. The car itself was deep-frozen, stored for five days at -30°C before being driven off down a London road.

“Creating Amazing is what Lexus is about,” said Richard Balshaw, Lexus Director.

“Projects such as our hoverboard, the origami-inspired cardboard car and now a dazzling set of fully functioning ice wheels, demonstrate how we use advanced technologies and the best craftsmanship traditions to achieve outstanding results. That’s not just for eye-catching one-off projects, but for the cars we deliver to our customers, too.”

The project features in a TV programme called ‘A Frozen Christmas’, due to be broadcast on Channel 4 on December 28 at 7.05pm.