Lexus is Pushing the Envelope of Car Design
Daily Slideshow: Gone are the days of conservative mainstream styling. Instead, Lexus has accelerated to the forefront of the vehicle design world with some bold new looks.
A new design direction
It's time for a Lexus makeover, according to its designers. Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research, envisions a bolder, more innovative look for future Lexus vehicles. Lexus International president Yoshihiro Sawa implies that moving forward, the ideas will be based on the inputs of a smaller group, rather than broad opinions. While many details have yet to revealed, you can see the beginning of the design change in the new LC Coupe, LS sedan and LF-1 Limitless Concept crossover vehicle. These vehicles feature sharper lines and distinctive spindle grilles.
Branching out
To call the overall Lexus design somewhat conservative isn't exactly a stretch. Even the auto maker's top designers have realized that it's time for an aesthetic change. "A car should have some sort of strong character or beauty. Too much discussion can spoil that kind of pure direction," remarks Sawa. Instead, he says, while discussions will still take place, the details of the designs will be sorted out by a core group.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Lexus LF-1 Limitless
If your first thought upon laying eyes on the new Lexus LF-1 Limitless concept car is, "Hey, that car's color looks a lot like the shiny copper cookware set in my kitchen!" you're not alone. In fact, that was the intent, according to Kevin Hunter, president of Toyota's Calty Design Research. Explaining the parallel between the two, Hunter says that both copper kitchenware and this Lexus concept car are premiums.
Shoppers who purchase premium goods for their kitchen can better relate to a car that looks similar. Another eye-catching feature is the spindle grille. According to the official press release from Lexus, the grille is specifically designed so that the spindle originates at the rear of the vehicle then travels along the to its nose.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Lexus LS
If its sweeping lines didn't catch your attention, the dynamic front grille surely did. However, it's not just the outside that catches the eye. The interior is outfitted with three premium wood trim designs. The one-of-a-kind designs can take up to four months to complete and are conducted in multiple steps. You'll find similar looks in the base LS 500, LS 500h hybrid and the LS 500 F Sport.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Lexus LC Coupe
On the outside, the Lexus LC has the same attention-grabbing large spindle grille as the LS and LF-1 Limitless Crossover. On the inside, the coupe features hand-stitched materials, magnesium paddle shifters, digital performance gauges, and more. Integrated seamless technology provides a more fluid driving experience for those in the front seats.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Distinguishing from other OEM designs
"The Japanese sense of beauty is key" in helping to distinguish Lexus from other OEM designs, says Sawa. He continues, "Comparing other OEM’s cars, their design is always the same. But ours, LS, LC, is a little bit different." Instead of sticking with what's popular in terms of mainstream styling, Sawa and his design team are branching out in search of ways to distinguish their brand from others.
Hunter adds that, when it comes to finding inspiration, "...it’s also what’s the experience of the designers and what motivates them to create."
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Creating a premium product
Both Hunter and Sawa explain that moving forward, close attention to small details could be what ultimately sets Lexus vehicles apart from the competition. Sawa explains, "Next to the very complicated detail is something very simple. That kind of contrast is our key viewpoint." While the LS, LC and the LF-1 Limitless concept vehicles are already a good start, you can expect to see more details and innovative designs in future Lexus models.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
A DesignMiami/ partnership
Design Miami/ is a global forum for design, where some of the most influential designers and critics around the world come together. Lexus is one supporter of DesignMiami/, along with recognizable brands such as Fend, Louis Vuitton, and Panerai. Lexus is the first official automotive partner for the event.
Photo courtesy of Designmiami.com
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
What's next for Lexus?
Aside from the LF-1 Limitless concept vehicle, there are other design-savvy Lexus vehicles in the works. One example is the LC Convertible Concept, a combined open-air roadster with a classic LC coupe design. The coupe features smooth contours and a stunning overall design that's a hallmark of new Lexus vehicles.
Then, you have the LF-FC, the first fuel cell concept by Lexus. As with other new Lexus vehicles, this one is designed to stand out. In the official press release, Lexus describes the style as "aggressive sculpting" with flowing curves.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
New Lexus looks, continued
The LF-SA Concept was first introduced to the world at the 2015 Geneva Motorshow. Its ultra-compact design makes the Lexus the right fit for urban lifestyles. In the official press release, Lexus reveals that the vehicle's "highly-sculpted surfacing" is representative of a "more challenging and avant-garde, 'Time in Design' styling approach in which perceptions of the vehicle change when viewed from different angles."
In a world where automotive styling has become mundane, Lexus is on a quest to create products that stand out from the crowd. And we can't say we're complaining.
>>Join the conversation about Lexus styling and design right here in the ClubLexus forum.
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