Click the image above for plenty of high-res live and press images.
Lexus came to the Tokyo party with a decidedly un-Japanese vehicle, the LF-Xh – shining a (blue) light on the future of the luxury automaker's RX-series of crossovers. The L-finesse design theme is well represented, with sharp creases and smooth rakes flowing into a slightly derivative front clip and (even more so) rear end. The beltline is higher than most Florida retirees and its V6 gasoline engine is mated to an electric motor. The powertrain combo drives all four wheels.
You can check out Lexus' original press release after the jump, and check the gallery below for some live and press pics.
All live photos ©2007 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
Lexus to Display LF-Xh and LF-A at Tokyo Motor Show
Tokyo, October 10, 2007 - Lexus announced today that it plans to display two concept vehicles and six production vehicles at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show. The show will be open to the general public from October 27 to November 11 at the International Convention Complex (Makuhari Messe) in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture.
On the basis of its "pursuit of perfection" philosophy, Lexus strives to provide the highest-quality products and to fill every moment with exhilaration and comfort for its customers through continued, uncompromising efforts in all aspects of development, production and sales. At the Tokyo Motor Show, as a new global premium brand for the 21st century, Lexus plans to exhibit a specialty SUV and a premium two-seater sports car.
Further details of the Lexus display are below.
I. Concept Vehicles
LF-Xh (Global unveiling)
A specialty SUV based on the Lexus design philosophy of L-finesse and equipped with an advanced hybrid system
* The combination of a powerful body and elegant interior gives this next-generation SUV a dynamic look and feel.
* Application of "Lexus Hybrid Drive", which features a sophisticated fusion of superior environmental and power performance, seeks to achieve outstanding driving performance, quiet operation, high fuel efficiency and low emissions.
* All-wheel drive is backed by a V6 gasoline engine and high-output electric motor hybrid system.
Total length: 4,800mm
Total width: 1,895mm
Total height: 1,650mm
Wheelbase: 2,850mm
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Vivek @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:11PM
The front end of the car looks like a 2008 Honda Accord made out with any of the three bar grill Ford's.
RickCA @ Oct 24th 2007 3:09PM
I agree..the front end is horrific! somewhat Hundai'ish too! and hello..Typical Toyota/Lexus the Interior is as bland, booring and dull as ever! All monotone, and not the slightest bit luxurious looking since it's a "lexus" although maybe this is what future retro luxurious interiors are heading towards?....
AMcA @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:15PM
That front fender/bumper thing is . . . innovative.
But ugly as sin.
Stealth E34 @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:15PM
Ghastly.
What is Toyota doing lately???
Greek Boy @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:23PM
When has Toyota ever designed a nice car.
The grill is taken right from a Fusion too.
Eric Biran @ Oct 24th 2007 1:40AM
Supra? Lexus IS (1st or 2nd gen)? Those do anything for you? They sure work for me.
That said, Lexus has successfully designed what looks like a bad Chinese knock off of their current LS and RX vehicles in one car (as Chinese knock offs are so fond of doing). Look at that chrome trim on the grill! It stretches like silly putty right into the headlight! The center console with violet lighting is interesting the way it flows beside the driver and behind the gauge cluster. Outside though, this crossover is a mess. But I suppose, this being the Tokyo Motor Show, there are some vehicles that just don't translate beyond the shores of Japan. Here's hoping this one never does.
Craig @ Oct 24th 2007 5:02PM
Lexus has been using that grille on their concept vehicles for years. It's not taken from the Fusion, which came out in 2006. The LF line of concept vehicles have been using that grille since 2003. The Ford 427 concept had a similar grille, which came out at around the same time as the LF-S. So to say Lexus "took" the idea from Ford is ignorant. At best, they came out with that design study around the same time.
J.Crew @ Oct 25th 2007 2:17AM
Fine, but clearly Ford has implemented it in production models and Lexus has not. Why would Lexus keep using this design cue when they clearly missed the boat by not putting it on production models? It is now a signature design cue by Ford as the majority of comments on this post seem to agree. I am not a Ford or Lexus fan, just stating the obvious.
stan @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:55PM
is this not a clear rip off of the Edge? look at the grill and profile.
Craig @ Oct 24th 2007 5:04PM
The LF line of concept vehicles have been using that grille since 2003. The Ford 427 concept had a similar grille, which came out at around the same time as the LF-S. So to say Lexus "took" the idea from Ford is ignorant. At best, they came out with that design study around the same time.
J.Crew @ Oct 25th 2007 2:18AM
Fine, but clearly Ford has implemented it in production models and Lexus has not. Why would Lexus keep using this design cue when they clearly missed the boat by not putting it on production models? It is now a signature design cue by Ford as the majority of comments on this post seem to agree. I am not a Ford or Lexus fan, just stating the obvious.
MasterCKO @ Oct 25th 2007 1:49PM
copy paste is a beautiful thing.
Dave @ Oct 23rd 2007 11:59PM
Looks like a squirrel with a mouth full of acorns.
jimmy @ Oct 24th 2007 12:15AM
34 minutes from the GT-R unveil!!!
Scott @ Oct 24th 2007 12:21AM
That's not a front end...
.
.
.
.
It's a Snout
Devin @ Oct 24th 2007 12:22AM
It honestly looks like Toyota saw the Mazda CX-7, and immediately tried to combing it with their already unattractive LS460. As we can all see, it doesn't translate well, especially with a 4 bar grill stolen from Ford. Well, I guess 4 is better than 3....?
Craig @ Oct 24th 2007 5:07PM
The LF line of concept vehicles have been using that grille since 2003. The Ford 427 concept had a similar grille, which came out at around the same time as the LF-S. So to say Lexus "stole" the idea from Ford is ignorant. At best, they came out with that design study around the same time.
Devin @ Oct 24th 2007 7:46PM
Maybe so, but it doesn't change the fact that this concept is ass ugly. Only a die hard Toyota lover could like this.
J.Crew @ Oct 25th 2007 2:19AM
Fine, but clearly Ford has implemented it in production models and Lexus has not. Why would Lexus keep using this design cue when they clearly missed the boat by not putting it on production models? It is now a signature design cue by Ford as the majority of comments on this post seem to agree. I am not a Ford or Lexus fan, just stating the obvious.
Matt @ Oct 24th 2007 2:04AM
I hate the Edge if ONLY for the grill, and thus I hate this also. Otherwise, Lexus is much prettier than ugly, bland-as-my-grandmother's-feet Toyota and cheap-as-my-five-year-old's-toys Scion.