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Lexus today unveiled a new
design concept for a hybrid 2+2
sport coupe at the North
American International Auto Show
in Detroit, a driver-focused
vehicle that displays a possible
future design direction for the
premium manufacturer.
Introducing the concept, Karl
Schlicht, General Manager, Lexus
Product and Marketing Planning
Division in North America, said:
"We are in the middle of the
biggest change in Lexus's
history,
inspired by a new generation of
distinctive design.
"The new GS embodies this with
its sculpted spindle grille as
our symbol of change. And now,
the
next chapter of Lexus evolves
with this coupe design concept.
With its striking looks, this
concept hybrid 2+2 hints at the
design cues that are coming in a
wave of new Lexus models over
the next two years."
Challenged by Lexus in Japan to
design the future hybrid sport
coupe concept, the Calty design
studio in Newport Beach,
California, sought to move the
definition of Lexus design
forward with
avant-garde beauty and advanced
technology, whilst still keeping
the brand within reach of the
majority of premium buyers.
Kevin Hunter, Calty President,
said: "Our entire studio worked
to develop this interpretation
of
Lexus originality. The LF-LC
concept embodies our vision of
what a premium sport coupe could
be."
The LF-LC displays the new Lexus
design language in its bold
interpretation of the signature
Lexus spindle grille and rear
architecture. Curves blend
smoothly into dynamic angles,
creating
an engaging interplay of lines,
shadows and corners.
Framed by a deep aluminium
surround, the mesh pattern of
the spindle grille takes on a 3D
form,
while functional air intakes in
the bottom corners of the grille
demonstrate a fusion of
distinctive
style and engineering
functionality.
The daytime running lights are
L-shaped and the vertical fog
lamps have a fading dot matrix
pattern that suggests movement.
In profile the LF-LC has a
powerful silhouette, while
overall the
lines of the vehicle emphasise
direction and motion.
The concept car's glass roof has
a lightweight, cantilevered
pillar with a glass-to-glass
juncture
inspired by modern architecture.
Distinctive elements include a
kick-up window graphic and
polished aluminum trim. The
greenhouse design improves
visibility for the driver as
well as
adding to the sleek lines of the
car.
The dynamic cabin lines are
carried through to the rear
deck, integrating the spindle
grille theme
to echo the front of the vehicle
and creating a sense of width.
The tail lamps, use inner
lighting to
give a strong sense of depth,
and the rear fog lamps repeat
the fading dot matrix pattern of
those
at the front. The integrated
tail and fog lamps repeat the
"L" shape and lead the eye down
to the
quad exhaust design.
The interior of the LF-LC
contrasts the cool ambience of
advanced technology with soft
textures
and organic shapes. The design
is driver-focused and neatly
brings together form and
function in
a coherent whole. The cockpit is
designed to feel both open and
secure. The driver is surrounded
by deeply scooped side panels
and a high, curved console,
which create a focus on the
controls
and the road ahead.
True to Lexus's commitment to
making driving an intuitive
experience, the LF-LC features a
remote touch-screen system that
allows the driver to operate
controls without shifting
position or altering
line-of-sight.
Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens
provide information and
navigation displays. A
touch-screen in the
centre console is used to
control the audio system,
climate controls and navigation,
with a pop-up
touch-screen keyboard for more
complex commands. Similar
touch-screen surfaces on each
door
are used to operate the windows,
mirrors, seat positions and
personal entertainment settings.
Multi-level meters set directly
in front of the driver layer
analogue and LCD technologies.
The
bottom layer displays
temperature, fuel and the
background for the Eco meter;
the middle layer
is the tachometer's mechanical
ring; and the topmost layer
provides indicators for the
tachometer,
speedometer and Eco meter.
Surfaces throughout the cabin
are finished in a combination of
smooth leather and suede, with
brushed metal trim and wood
accents. The lightweight,
race-inspired front seats are
formed of
multiple layers and repeat the
interlacing curves that define
the cabin's styling. The
racing-style
steering wheel has a lightweight
design and contains integrated
controls and a start button.
The front-engine, rear-wheel
drive LF-LC features Advanced
Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering
both
driving performance and fuel
efficiency.
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