Making its global debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, the Lexus LF-Gh concept is a case study to the new Lexus look.
?For this concept, Lexus designers studied characteristics that are often considered contradictory and difficult to execute together,? said Kengo Matsumoto, general manager, Lexus Design Division, Toyota Motor Corporation.??The captivating design of the LF-Gh concept examines the possibility of balancing what are normally opposing qualities, such as style and functionality.?
Starting with a blank sheet of paper, designers aimed to blend style, performance, efficiency, and environmental compatibility in a premium, grand touring?sedan while trying to leverage advanced, new technologies.
The Lexus design team explored how a future grand touring sedan would look standing still and on the road, and what design approaches might work to convey an extraordinary combination of attributes.?They came up with a design that unites hard and soft; and energetic and soothing elements.
Through this exercise, the definition of L-Finesse, the marque?s design philosophy since 2001, has been refined and evolved to include a bolder, more distinct projection of what a premium car could become in a modern world.
?Customers have been waiting for a bold concept like this from Lexus,? said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager.??We look forward to their feedback and integrating some of these exciting design features into future Lexus vehicles.?
Lexus takes the idea of the grand touring sedan one step further with the LF-Gh.? It was designed to be a high-performance concept capable of providing a moving driving experience, and comfortably transporting multiple occupants at higher speeds on long-distance drives.?It combines a strong sense of presence and emotional appeal with functional attributes, supplying enhanced creature comforts plus the practical ability to transport personal supplies and luggage necessary for extended travel.?Even while maintaining serene passenger comfort, it is a car designed to inspire and captivate the driver as hours behind the wheel accumulate.
LED lighting hints at the range and scope of new materials, electronics and dynamic systems that endow this concept vehicle with state-of-the-art performance, driving control, and safety features. Overall, the LF-Gh?s styling embodies the definition of what an authentic grand touring sedan from Lexus could be.
Viewed from the front, design elements contributing to the assertive effect include a?boldly designed spindle-shaped grille that expresses the resolute face of Lexus, contributes to radiator and brake duct function, and is an essential element in achieving excellent aerodynamic performance. ?Every line in the LF-Gh combines form and function.
As an example, air flows in through front inlets adjacent to the unique vertical LED fog lamps, and exits through similar slim rear outlets that follow the curve of the tail lamps from the rear quarter panel. ?The concept also explores the minimization of traditional features such as side mirrors and door handles to enhance the sleekness and improve aerodynamics.
The spindle-shaped grille, a powerful design element that contributes to the commanding presence of the LF-Gh, also plays a role in airflow control and enhancing stability.?It?s a key?feature that integrates distinctive style with engineering functionality without sacrifice in either discipline, and will be inherited by future Lexus models.
Behind dark tinted glass, hints of an all-new, future Lexus interior can be perceived.? The driver?s zone includes a meter panel with excellent visibility and a console with intuitive operability.?An all-new analog clock with a three-dimensional face, a contemporary and?exclusive timepiece suitable to a premium luxury brand, is a focal point of the interior and represents a shift in Lexus? design philosophy.
Use of genuine, high-quality materials and rich, finely honed details help create a driver and passenger space consistent with the idea of a full-fledged grand touring sedan.?It is an interior designed to respond to the needs of customers who know true quality, and are particular about details.
Blue?LED Lexus Hybrid Drive badges located on the front grille and rear trunk lid signal an intention to provide equal measures of fuel efficiency and performance on demand. The rear valance blends sculpted exhaust tips for a very clean, finished look, minimizing the presence of the exhaust system to suggest that the flow of exhaust gas will be substantially reduced.?Taken as a whole, the treatment emphasizes that this hybrid concept is designed to comply with the exceptionally low emissions requirements of the future.
The LF-Gh design supports engineering that changes current notions of power, efficiency, safety, and environmental consideration in a premium luxury car.
?Although only a concept, we hope the LF-Gh will resonate with our customers worldwide, and communicate our intention to once again advance ideas about the face of Lexus luxury in the years to come,? said Matsumoto.
