Design Story of the Lexus LF-Ch concept car

Lexus LFA

Lexus has unveiled the production version of its LFA supercar, which is powered by a mid-front 4.8 liter V10 engine with 560 hp and is based on a hybrid CFRP/aluminum structure. First deliveries are scheduled for the end of 2010.

Presented at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the Lexus LFA is powered by a new 4.8 liter V10 engine which delivers 560 hp / 480Nm and makes extensive use of lightweight materials(aluminium alloy, magnesium alloy and titanium alloy) and is very compact in size.

The structure comprises front and rear aluminium subframes which are mounted on to an advanced Carbon Fibre reinforced Plastic (CFrP) cabin section.

The main dimensions are a length/width/height of 4,505/1,895/1,220 mm, while the weight is limited to 1,480 kg.

The design is characterized by many of the styling cues introduced by Lexus with the LF-A Concept unveiled at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show and the LF-A Roadster Concept (2008).

The two-seater interior is designed around the driver and features a remote touch system for quick control of the satellite navigation and infotainment systems.

The Lexus LFA will be produced in a limited series of just 500 units starting from December 2010, while the pre-sales are already started. Racetrack-specific versions will be available from early 2012. The announced price is 375,000 Euros.

(Car Body Design's news)

Lexus LF-Ch Concept

Lexus has released the official images and information on the LF-Ch Concept. The five door car designed for the European premium compact segment features full hybrid technology and a styling inspired by the brand's L-finesse design philosophy.

Powertrain and driving performance

Thanks to a wide track, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, the LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions.

With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids. This allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

Interior design

The principles of L-finesse are carried through to the interior where again a powerful simplicity harmonises with hand-crafted quality in the detailing to create a calm, efficient and elegant design.

The cabin features a strongly asymmetric dashboard that is firmly driver-focused with outstanding ergonomics.

The driver’s needs are seamlessly anticipated in several surprising elements.

Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating.

The driving position is low and well-supported, with a wide-grip steering wheel with paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large twin dials embellished with a turbine motif.

Using a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch works like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customise a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.

As with every Lexus, hospitality is at the heart of the ownership experience. To this end, the LF-Ch’s comprehensive on-board entertainment package includes iPhone docking for rear seat passengers.

Exterior design

Rooted in Japanese culture, L-finesse is expressed in every aspect of the car, not only in the visual harmony between the interior and exterior design, but also in the combination of leading-edge engineering and technology with a user-friendly simplicity of function.

The designers focused on the careful juxtaposition of opposing major and minor elements.

Intriguing contrasts are created between the powerful, machine-like overall surfacing of the bodywork and the painstaking detail of even the smallest elements, creating a synergy between technologically driven design and a fluid, hand-sculpted quality.

A new, bolder Lexus grille design sits above a deep, full-width bumper and air dam, giving a perfect balance of precision and power.

The sharply sculpted, aerodynamic front wings overlap the front bumper to create deep, front brake-cooling air intakes and give the LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance.

In profile, the tapered side glazing, a muscular, rising beltline and a sharply truncated rear overhang project the car’s premium compact character.

At the rear the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create an integrated rear spoiler.

Dimensions

Overall length: 4,300mm

Overall width: 1,790mm

Overall height: 1,400mm

Wheelbase: 2,600mm

Tyres (front and rear): 225/35R20

(Car Body Design's news)

Lexus LF-Ch: first official picture

2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport

The New Lexus HS 250h Hybrid

A new body shape tells customers this isn't just a hybrid version of an existing model. The mechanical platform (partly from the Toyota Avensis, which is marketed in Europe) provides a sophisticated wishbone-type independent rear suspension for better ride and handling, and ongoing improvements to hybrid component packaging also allow a normal-size trunk with more than 12 cubic feet of cargo space. Access to this space is through the largest trunk aperture in the Lexus sedan lineup.

Inside the HS, one finds comfortable seating in a reasonably roomy interior. Along with Lexus' striking instrumentation is the trick new remote-touch multimedia controller we first saw in the latest RX crossover models. It operates so much like the graphic user interface we all know intimately from so many days of point-and-click enterprise that it's utterly amazing nobody came up with this execution before.

The shift-by-wire drive selector is a short stalk projecting from a corner of an extended center console, and it falls conveniently to hand, even if the hard edge of the console is uncomfortably close to the right knee of tall drivers. With 30 percent of the interior's molded materials made from plant-derived plastics, the car's carbon footprint shrinks even further, driving home the new Lexus message: In the future, luxury has to be responsible and careful with finite resources.

(Inside Line news)