Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Lexus looking to distance itself from Toyota, move more upscale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/lexus-looking-to-distance-itself-from-toyota-move-more-upscale/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/lexus-looking-to-distance-itself-from-toyota-move-more-upscale/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/08/lexus-looking-to-distance-itself-from-toyota-move-more-upscale/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lexus GS 450h

Automotive News reports Lexus may use the company's new GS to put some distance between itself and parent company Toyota. Buyers have snapped up a total of 4,900 GS models in just two months, breezing by year-long sales estimates in the process. The company attributes much of that success to non-traditional advertising efforts, including the Tori 500 iPhone and iPad app, and says that it could use similar tactics in the future to lure buyers in based on traits like "character and handling." Traditionally, consumers have turned toward Lexus because of Toyota's reputation for efficient and reliable machinery.

The GS, with its hour-glass grille and aggressive front fascia, is a first-step in giving the luxury automaker a more distinct brand image. In the past, Lexus has had trouble keeping buyers coming back, and the company believes that's partly due to the fact that luxury consumers are more interested in owning a brand than a particular vehicle. As such, we can expect to see more corporate design cues across the company's portfolio in the near future. The move may help set Lexus apart as something other than a slightly nicer Toyota in consumers eyes.

Lexus looking to distance itself from Toyota, move more upscale originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 May 2012 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gslexuslexus designlexus gslexus gs 450htoyotaTue, 08 May 2012 10:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20232474/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/08/lexus-looking-to-distance-itself-from-toyota-move-more-upscale/20232474/article-detail.xml 20232474 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/lexus-gs-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/lexus-gs-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus vows bolder design, won't "always stay in the middle of mainstream"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/lexus-vows-bolder-design-wont-always-stay-in-the-middle-of-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/lexus-vows-bolder-design-wont-always-stay-in-the-middle-of-ma/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/09/13/lexus-vows-bolder-design-wont-always-stay-in-the-middle-of-ma/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2013 lexus gs

Lexus design has never been very flashy, and many might say (including us) the automaker's entire current lineup is a bit bland-looking (LFA supercar excepted, natch). But that visual conservatism may be about to change: Automotive News is reporting that the Japanese juggernaut plans to change that by taking more risks and striving for more character.

Toyota Design Chief Tokuo Fukuichi tells AN that the brand will build on the design language first introduced in the HS 250h and refined in the GS, but with more emphasis on the fighter jet-inspired grille. Lexus says the eye-catching grille draws from the hourglass shape of a spindle, but it's more than just an expressive face. Fukuichi adds "The spindle grille is not just a design matter; it also has to have a good functional performance in bringing in air."

In short, Lexus is looking to push itself to create more dynamic new models, even if some models don't exactly come off as focus-group friendly. We're all for a sexier Lexus with a personality implant, but a new grille won't be all that's needed. Only time will tell if Toyota's premium marque can shed its conservative tendencies and come up with something more dynamic that still sells.

Lexus vows bolder design, won't "always stay in the middle of mainstream" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>automotive designgshs 250hhs250hlexuslexus designlexus gslexus stylingtukuo fukuichiTue, 13 Sep 2011 19:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20040977/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/09/13/lexus-vows-bolder-design-wont-always-stay-in-the-middle-of-ma/20040977/article-detail.xml 20040977 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/lexus-gs-2013_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/lexus-gs-2013.jpg <![CDATA[Feat of Clay: We take a peek inside Toyota's Calty design center]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/feat-of-clay-we-take-a-peek-inside-toyotas-calty-design-center/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/feat-of-clay-we-take-a-peek-inside-toyotas-calty-design-center/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/08/feat-of-clay-we-take-a-peek-inside-toyotas-calty-design-center/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Toyota's Calty Design Research in Newport Beach, CA - Click above for high-res image gallery

In anticipation of the debut of the all-new 2011 Toyota Sienna at the 2009 LA Auto Show in December, the folks responsible for the minivan invited us to take a peek inside their Calty design center in Newport Beach, California. Calty Design Research is the Toyota design center that created production cars like the '78, '90 and '00 Toyota Celica, '07 FJ Cruiser, '07 Tundra, '08 Highlander, '08 Scion xB, and '09 Venza, as well as the Lexus LF-C, FT-SX, Scion t2B, Scion FUSE, FT-HS and A-BAT concepts.

It's not very often that they open the doors of this design center to the public - let alone journalists - so we jumped at the chance. We spent a day with the group directly responsible for the 2011 Sienna and also met with Calty and Toyota officials. It was an enlightening day in which we learned about what inspired this third generation people-hauler, what Calty offers to differentiate it from other Toyota design houses, and why full-size clay models are still so important in the world of design, among other things.

Follow the jump to travel with us past the velvet rope and into Calty.


Gallery: Calty Design Research Tour

Continue reading Feat of Clay: We take a peek inside Toyota's Calty design center

Feat of Clay: We take a peek inside Toyota's Calty design center originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Caltycalty design researchCaltyDesignResearchdesigndesign housedesignerdesignersDesignHousefeaturedlexuslexus designLexusDesignscionscion designScionDesigntoyotatoyota designToyotaDesignTue, 08 Dec 2009 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19216069/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/12/08/feat-of-clay-we-take-a-peek-inside-toyotas-calty-design-center/19216069/article-detail.xml 19216069 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/calty001_opta_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/calty001_opta.jpg <![CDATA[Lexus looking for successor to L-Finesse design]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


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]

Gallery: Lexus LF-A Roadster

Lexus looking for successor to L-Finesse design originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jan 2008 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car designCarDesigndesignersl-finesselexuslexus designLexusDesignWed, 30 Jan 2008 09:21:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1098516/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/01/30/lexus-looking-for-successor-to-l-finesse-design/1098516/article-detail.xml 1098516 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/01_lf_a_roadster_450-op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/01/01_lf_a_roadster_450-op.jpg -1 2