Lexus looking for successor to L-Finesse design
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Lexus LF-A roadster concept.
Lexus' L-finesse design language was meant to stand for "Seamless Anticipation," "Intriguing Elegance," and "Incisive Simplicity." If we put aside the marketing speak for a moment, the point of L-f was to give Lexus design a greater emotional connection with consumers. While it certainly didn't stop Lexus from selling more cars, we have a feeling that the increased number of wavy lines simply didn't resonate with the public quite like it was meant to.
Now Lexus is looking for a successor to L-finesse. Emotional connection from a purely design standpoint -- not "I just love my Toyota!" -- has been a weak point for Japanese cars in this country. Even the GT-R, the LF-A and the last Supra, technological tour-de-forces that they are (or were or will be), and for as much emotion as they inspire, are not pretty cars. The LS is a good looking car, but we wouldn't call it inspiring. Yet Lexus has a pretty good grasp on what its customers are looking for, so while we can't imagine that whatever's coming is going to be outrageous, we can hope that it will be a little less birds and clouds and a little more visceral.
[Source: Winding Road]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tbss_in_the_D 9:40AM (1/30/2008)
I think it is very funny how cars like the new CTS have woke Toyota up. They have had it so easy for so long and now consumers are opening there eyes to more innovative design. Not everyone loves the new CTS, but you have to admit it is different and stands out. Nothing from Lexus stands out. I saw a new S class parked near a new 460 the other day and there is not comparison. I know that Lexus are so great on the quality side, but I do not think that is the only reason people are looking at cars these days. Personally I believe that Lexus is going down the same path as Acura right now.
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John R 9:46AM (1/30/2008)
What the Miata isn't pretty? Seriously though, people will buy what they want. Sometimes what they want isn't 'pretty'.
I guess what I'm trying to say is for me as a consumer perfer my auto's looks to display a sense of purpose. I look at the Lexus above or the GT-R or even a Mazda 3 its almost immeadiately communicated what the car is supposed to do.
I like a lot of the designs coming from Japan as there is no mistaking they are Japanese. If you watched any episode of 'Gundam' or have seen 'Akira' or 'Macross' car designs like the GT-R and the Evo should have been seen coming a mile away.
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Jon 11:47AM (1/30/2008)
I can't see them changing too much, mainly for the reasons you mention. It seems to me that each major car-producing region has unique influences that reflect the local values: Italian cars drip with emotion, German cars typically have poker-like seriousness like the engineers that design them, and American cars are simple yet bold. I cannot quite get my head around the concept of Japanese cars resembling anime, but it's a matter of personal preference with no right or wrong answer.
I look at Toyotas not so much as cars but as appliances with wheels, so I appreciated that Lexus came up with L-Finesse. It's not my thing, but I can respect it for that very reason- it's not your typical anonymous mass-appeal design Toyota is so often guilty of. A lot of people don't like Cadillac's "art and science" design language either, but you have to admit it is distinctive.
Sam 9:52AM (1/30/2008)
maybe take cues from mazda's design team? there cooking up some crazy stuff.
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John 9:58AM (1/30/2008)
I thought the L-finesse stuff was a big improvement over what they have had in the past, with the biggest weakness being the carryover anonymous grill. That sloped-side, dark, triangular-ish sort of thing has little presence and screams econo-car.
Even Lincoln has finally realized that the front of the car needs to scream brand identity. They perhaps have taken it slightly to extremes, but a bold choice is what is needed at Lexus as well. Hyundai is getting the idea with the new Genesis. People are bored with the same old logo floating in blankness look.
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gan 10:03AM (1/30/2008)
um the trunk from the top of the line ls460 (or whatever it is) is the same as a toyota camry...exact same piece. the quest is how to make a design that doesn't look like it belongs in the toyota lineup of blah
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kal326 10:10AM (1/30/2008)
Looks like the bastard child of a Ferrari and a S2000. The front end has some pretty good lines, but it looks like they went a little skitzo on the rear.
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akatsuki 10:14AM (1/30/2008)
The Lexus IS is a lovely car, especially when I would see it in Japan, where it and the Mazda RX-8 made just a huge impact. Here it just doesn't seem to stand out.
I would suggest they look at classic Alfas personally. The Giuletta Sprint was and is just a lovely car. Better to follow the Italians in this (Maserati or Alfa) rather than the Germans who have gone off the deep end for the most part.
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Eljay 10:16AM (1/30/2008)
I really like the L-finesse designs.There's a strong family resemblance,yet each car has it's own visual identity.Still,I'm certain whatever Lexus comes up with next will be lovely too.
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Alex 10:23AM (1/30/2008)
personally, i always thought the Supra was an awesome design.
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Eljay 3:28PM (1/30/2008)
Oh,I couldn't agree more! Gorgeous car! :-)
Jeff 10:26AM (1/30/2008)
Lexus = Toyota I cannot Afford.
Nothing more, nothing less. Just an expensive Toyota.
One can dress a pig in a tuxedo, but under the fancy clothing, you still have a stinking pig.
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The Joker 11:17AM (1/30/2008)
So Cadillac = dressed up Chevy?
Infiniti = dressed up Nissan?
Audi = dressed up VW?
To_Want_Is_To_Suffer 11:58AM (1/30/2008)
why stop there?
Acura = dressed up Honda?
As a compnay, Toyota want to sell cars to every body - to the "have" and the "have not"; it's not personal, it's business. Is it safe to say that you and I are the "have not"? So we'll still to Chevy, Dodge, Toyota, Honda... And let the "have" have their Porsche, BMW, Lexus, Ferrari and so on. You and I get from point A to point B; they do the same thing but in "class" and "style" and still have $$$ to burn.
2004m3driver 12:50PM (1/30/2008)
A car is just a hunk of metal with some rubber. Sometimes it has more leather. Sometimes it has more computer chips.
You can put a big engine in it, or you could add wood trim. You could change the exterior, or you could take two seats out. It will still just be a hunk of metal with some rubber.
Nothing more er..... nothing less?? wait a minute........ I don't get it.
Jeff 1:21PM (1/30/2008)
"So Cadillac = dressed up Chevy?
Infiniti = dressed up Nissan?
Audi = dressed up VW?
Acura = dressed up Honda?"
Glad to see someone understands! When they're based on the lower model and not specific to the marquis brand, yes. Just a pig all dressed up and costing many thousands more. Buy the pig, it'll cost less and you'll be just as full. Can't eat the tux anyway.
RyanL 6:15PM (1/30/2008)
But when the dressed up pig is runs with its rear legs while the common pig only runs with its front ones, does that still make it pig?
Lexus = RWD (with the exception of the ES and certain base RX)
Toyota = FWD
willyjsimmons 10:26AM (1/30/2008)
Last gen Supras weren't 'pretty'?
Feh.
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The Joker 11:15AM (1/30/2008)
Yeah, that had me scratching my head too. The Toyota hate around here is tremendous.
I think many would say that the mid-90's were likely Toyota's best decade for design. It seems as though they were hitting on all cylinders:
MKIV Supra
MR2
Celica
Land Cruiser
Tacoma/4-Runner
The current L-Finesse Lexus models at least have some brand identity (the IS is the strongest IMHO), but the current Toyota line is a mess.
Gooch 12:47PM (1/30/2008)
I like the L-Finesse philosophy. The cars share brand identity, but are different. It will be interesting to see where Lexus goes with this. I'm wondering what it will do with its SUVs.
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