John02Hawk
Jun-8th-04, 3:24 pm
<center>http://www.autosite.com/images/edphotos/previews/concept-lexus-lf-c-front.jpg (http://www.autosite.com/images/edphotos/previews/fullsize/concept-lexus-lf-c-front.jpg) http://www.autosite.com/images/edphotos/previews/concept-lexus-lf-c-interior.jpg (http://www.autosite.com/images/edphotos/previews/fullsize/concept-lexus-lf-c-interior.jpg) http://www.autosite.com/images/edphotos/previews/concept-lexus-lf-c-rear.jpg (http://www.autosite.com/images/edphotos/previews/fullsize/concept-lexus-lf-c-rear.jpg)</center>
NEW YORK, NY – Lexus prides itself on passionately pursuing perfection. We’d have to agree that in terms of product quality, Toyota’s luxury division has no peer. Every Lexus we’ve ever driven has exhibited unsurpassed refinement, and if you examine the reliability histories of the company’s numerous models you’ll find that owners have few problems to report.
If there were reasons not to select a Lexus over a competing model, they have generally boiled down to uninvolved vehicle dynamics and vanilla styling. With the exception of the IS300 and the GS 430, a Lexus is not a willing dance partner on a twisty two-lane road nor are they particularly striking in terms of design.
However, if the recent series of “LF” concept cars is an indicator of things to come, which Lexus admits is the case, we can expect future models from this 15-year-old luxury automaker to be far more involving on an emotional level.
Denny Clements, Lexus Group vice president and general manager, said “We’ve known for some time that if Lexus ever prioritized styling the way we have product quality and advanced technology, we would once again change the luxury car playing field. The LF-C is a stunning example of how Lexus will address the future and change it at the same time.”
Introduced to reporters and the public at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, the Lexus LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept hints at what will become the next Lexus IS300. Designed by Calty Design Research Center in California, the LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept seeks to connect with young, affluent buyers through striking design, sporting performance and a four-position retractable hardtop allows the LF-C to be a coupe, a targa, a speedster or a convertible.
Kevin Hunter, vice president of Calty Design Research, says that stylists “used a combination of convex and concave surfaces to control the balance of light and shadow on the car which creates (a) beautiful contrast of having sharp lines within the sculpted exterior surfaces.” That sounds suspiciously like BMW’s modus operandi with recent Bimmers, but Lexus pulls it off far more gracefully – at least in concept form.
The Lexus LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept is equipped with a V8 engine, driving power to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential automatic transmission. Drive-by-wire steering is spun from a Formula One-style steering wheel. With a wheelbase 5.1 inches longer, a width five inches wider, and a ride height two inches lower than today’s IS300, the Lexus LF-C hugs the ground and is larger inside, able to accommodate four adults in comfort according to the automaker. Despite these gains in size, the LF-C is about the same length as the current IS.
The interior is pure fantasy for show car effect, including transparent gauges with needles the swing along the outside edges of the rings rather than spin from the center, and the center console is also see-through for a high-tech appearance and to make the cabin feel larger than it is. The LF-C’s four lightweight bucket seats were inspired by modern stemware to create a contrast of sport and elegance.
Though Lexus claims that the LF-C points the way toward the next IS 300, don’t assume that this concept vehicle is a simply concealed production car like the Acura RL Prototype or Infiniti M45 Concept that were also on display in New York City. Rather, view the Lexus LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept in terms of design themes.
Clearly, Lexus products are going to appeal to both the left and right sides of your brain in the future.
I'm not really sure if I like how the rear-end looks, but . . .
V8 Engine + Big Wheels + Low Ground Clearance = :woot:
NEW YORK, NY – Lexus prides itself on passionately pursuing perfection. We’d have to agree that in terms of product quality, Toyota’s luxury division has no peer. Every Lexus we’ve ever driven has exhibited unsurpassed refinement, and if you examine the reliability histories of the company’s numerous models you’ll find that owners have few problems to report.
If there were reasons not to select a Lexus over a competing model, they have generally boiled down to uninvolved vehicle dynamics and vanilla styling. With the exception of the IS300 and the GS 430, a Lexus is not a willing dance partner on a twisty two-lane road nor are they particularly striking in terms of design.
However, if the recent series of “LF” concept cars is an indicator of things to come, which Lexus admits is the case, we can expect future models from this 15-year-old luxury automaker to be far more involving on an emotional level.
Denny Clements, Lexus Group vice president and general manager, said “We’ve known for some time that if Lexus ever prioritized styling the way we have product quality and advanced technology, we would once again change the luxury car playing field. The LF-C is a stunning example of how Lexus will address the future and change it at the same time.”
Introduced to reporters and the public at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, the Lexus LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept hints at what will become the next Lexus IS300. Designed by Calty Design Research Center in California, the LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept seeks to connect with young, affluent buyers through striking design, sporting performance and a four-position retractable hardtop allows the LF-C to be a coupe, a targa, a speedster or a convertible.
Kevin Hunter, vice president of Calty Design Research, says that stylists “used a combination of convex and concave surfaces to control the balance of light and shadow on the car which creates (a) beautiful contrast of having sharp lines within the sculpted exterior surfaces.” That sounds suspiciously like BMW’s modus operandi with recent Bimmers, but Lexus pulls it off far more gracefully – at least in concept form.
The Lexus LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept is equipped with a V8 engine, driving power to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential automatic transmission. Drive-by-wire steering is spun from a Formula One-style steering wheel. With a wheelbase 5.1 inches longer, a width five inches wider, and a ride height two inches lower than today’s IS300, the Lexus LF-C hugs the ground and is larger inside, able to accommodate four adults in comfort according to the automaker. Despite these gains in size, the LF-C is about the same length as the current IS.
The interior is pure fantasy for show car effect, including transparent gauges with needles the swing along the outside edges of the rings rather than spin from the center, and the center console is also see-through for a high-tech appearance and to make the cabin feel larger than it is. The LF-C’s four lightweight bucket seats were inspired by modern stemware to create a contrast of sport and elegance.
Though Lexus claims that the LF-C points the way toward the next IS 300, don’t assume that this concept vehicle is a simply concealed production car like the Acura RL Prototype or Infiniti M45 Concept that were also on display in New York City. Rather, view the Lexus LF-C Luxury Sports Coupe Concept in terms of design themes.
Clearly, Lexus products are going to appeal to both the left and right sides of your brain in the future.
I'm not really sure if I like how the rear-end looks, but . . .
V8 Engine + Big Wheels + Low Ground Clearance = :woot: