Lexus covered a car with 41,999 LEDs to create the most phantasmagoric ride ever made

Here’s a car you probably won’t ever be able to buy: a 2017 Lexus IS covered in 41,999 programmable LED lights that changes color on a whim and, if it is ever allowed on the road, would probably be the world’s most distracting vehicle. The car, dubbed the LIT IS, was created as part of a collaboration between Lexus and video streaming service Vevo to promote UK singer Dua Lipa’s new video, “Be The One,” according to Gizmodo. Oh, and did we mention this thing changes colors in response to human gestures and music? Because yeah, it does that, too.

“This unique collaboration between Lexus and Vevo showcases the Lexus IS as an incredible work of art, technology and design through the lens of a music video” is a statement cooked up by Lexus’ PR team to describe this insanely indulgent but undoubtably cool little project. No word on whether this car was the result of some Lexus executive overhearing a teenager calling something “lit” and then running with it.

To create this colorful chameleon of a car, Lexus engineers applied all 41,999 LED lights by hand. If placed end-to-end, the LED stripes would stretch half a mile in length. According to Lexus, the car features three different modes:

Attract mode features a loop of colorful graphics that highlight the strong lines of the IS and play into its bold styling. Music Viz mode is designed to respond to music, as the LEDs will create custom, responsive displays that perfectly sync to any song. Gesture mode allows the motion of the LED animations to be controlled by users’ hand movements with the help of a gaming console. This mode directly connects the car and the driver, allowing the person to send a signal and see the car respond.

All of which sounds super fun, but we should reiterate, you will likely never be able to purchase this car. There is no way the government will allow Lexus to sell this hallucination on wheels because it would create accidents and chaos everywhere it went. This thing is a four-door, candy-colored distraction of epic proportions.

But just because it’s a product placement dressed up as an art project doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy its whimsical display. Or Lipa’s kaleidoscopic video, for that matter. You might want to grab some UV-blockers first. This thing will have you seeing spots.

src: http://www.theverge.com/2016/12/5/13846396/lexus-led-lit-is-colors-dua-lipa-vevo