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Lexus LF-Gh Concept (updated, pics posted)

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Old 04-12-11, 09:22 AM
  #151  
Jewcano
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Love the side profile, HATE the front and rear. Could they make the grill any bigger? And the rear looks like an afterthought, way too angular.
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Old 04-12-11, 09:26 AM
  #152  
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I'm confused. Besides the completely overwrought headlamps, grille and taillamps, is there any sort of design on this car at all?

The sides look like a chalkboard; completely plain and featureless, especially in comparison to the LOOK AT ME! front end. The greenhouse is too tall. And, like the Impreza concept, take away the concept car bits and you're left with a seriously bland car. Lexus had a huge opportunity with the next GS and man have they missed the mark big time.
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Old 04-12-11, 09:30 AM
  #153  
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They sure do like using Diamond Ranch High School in Diamond Bar, CA as a backdrop often!
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Old 04-12-11, 09:32 AM
  #154  
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3/4 view is pretty nice.

I wonder how the plastic front grill mesh would hold up long term.
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Old 04-12-11, 09:33 AM
  #155  
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Default Press Release

Lexus LF-Gh Hybrid Concept Explores Design Features That Will Migrate to Future Lexus Vehicles


Lexus LF-Gh Concept b-roll LF-Gh concept to make world debut at 2011 New York International Auto Show
Stylish and assertive concept advances notions of premium grand touring sedan
Concept explores Lexus’ future direction with aggressive and bold spindle-shaped front grille

NEW YORK (April 12, 2011) – The Lexus LF-Gh hybrid concept will make its global debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The concept, which sets out to redefine the premium grand touring sedan, will be at the Lexus display through May 1.

“For this concept, Lexus designers studied characteristics that are often considered contradictory and difficult to execute together,” said Kengo Matsumoto, general manager, Lexus Design Division, Toyota Motor Corporation. “The captivating design of the LF-Gh concept examines the possibility of balancing what are normally opposing qualities, such as style and functionality.”

Working with a clean sheet of paper, Lexus Design Division designers aimed to perfectly blend style, performance, efficiency, and environmental compatibility in a premium, grand touring sedan while trying to leverage advanced, new technologies.

The team explored how a future grand touring sedan would look standing still and on the road, and what design approaches might work to convey an extraordinary combination of attributes. They came up with a design that unites hard and soft; and energetic and soothing elements.


Through this exercise, the definition of L-Finesse, the marque’s design philosophy since 2001, has been refined and evolved to include a bolder, more distinct projection of what a premium car could become in a modern world. The result is the LF-Gh concept, which conveys original thoughts and ideas that will migrate to future Lexus vehicles on a global scale.

“Customers have been waiting for a bold concept like this from Lexus,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “We look forward to their feedback and integrating some of these exciting design features into future Lexus vehicles.”

In The Grand Touring Tradition
With the LF-Gh, Lexus takes the idea of the grand touring sedan one step further. The LF-Gh was designed to be a high-performance concept capable of providing a moving driving experience, and comfortably transporting multiple occupants at higher speeds on long-distance drives. It combines a strong sense of presence and emotional appeal with functional attributes, supplying enhanced creature comforts plus the practical ability to transport personal supplies and luggage necessary for extended travel. Even while maintaining serene passenger comfort, it is a car designed to inspire and captivate the driver as hours behind the wheel accumulate.

The bold, wide stance is consistent with the goal of inspiring dynamic excellence on the road. Fundamentally, these are the proportions of an agile, responsive sedan built on an advanced rear-wheel-drive platform. The distinctive long greenhouse design provides the potential for functional passenger benefits, such as generous interior room for all four passengers, ample cargo area, and excellent forward visibility.


LED lighting hints at the range and scope of new materials, electronics and dynamic systems that endow this concept vehicle with state-of-the-art performance, driving control, and safety features. Overall, the LF-Gh’s styling embodies the definition of what an authentic grand touring sedan from Lexus could be.

Dramatic and Bold, Yet Light and Agile
This newest Lexus concept brings together unique, dynamic proportions that lend to its advanced and aggressive stance. The LF-Gh is based on an architecture that enables a spirited, energetic and elegant car with an uncommonly assertive presence.

Viewed from the front, design elements contributing to the assertive effect include a boldly designed spindle-shaped grille that expresses the resolute face of Lexus, contributes to radiator and brake duct function, and is an essential element in achieving excellent aerodynamic performance. Every line in the LF-Gh combines form and function.

As an example, air flows in through front inlets adjacent to the unique vertical LED fog lamps, and exits through similar slim rear outlets that follow the curve of the tail lamps from the rear quarter panel. The concept also explores the minimization of traditional features such as side mirrors and door handles to enhance the sleekness and improve aerodynamics.

The spindle-shaped grille, a powerful design element that contributes to the commanding presence of the LF-Gh, also plays a role in airflow control and enhancing stability. It’s a key feature that integrates distinctive style with engineering functionality without sacrifice in either discipline, and will be inherited by future Lexus models.

An athletic and strong stance is achieved through the contrast of the tapered torso and long cabin, with width-enhancing front and rear wheel arches. The form of the lower body begins from the short front overhang, and is cross cut in the middle of the rocker panel leaving the rear overhang looking light and agile.

Dynamic front fenders work to create a sense of movement, pushing down toward the ground to convey a low, crouching center of gravity. The raised hood implies ready and powerful performance potential. The rear deck has a robust, raised center deck lid that lets the air smoothly glide backward to flow gracefully into the rear fenders. Deeply sculptured dynamic twin spokes stemming from the center of the 20-inch wheels enhance an instinctive sense of driving appeal.

Lexus designers took advantage of increased width that provides an expansive canvas for distinct, wrap-around LED tail lamps. The use of distinctive tail lamps and intricately designed reflectors behind all-red lenses contribute to a strong visual presence. Judicious use of slim chrome trim elements in the bumper exhaust and integrated diffuser adds a subtle premium touch.

Unique LED headlamps and independent L-shaped LED daytime running lights assure that the Lexus face will be like no other car on the road.

A Gracious Interior
Behind dark tinted glass, hints of an all-new, future Lexus interior can be perceived. The cabin of the LF-Gh is the product of a meticulous re-examination of every detail, with the aim of making an interior that is driver-oriented.

The driver’s zone includes a meter panel with excellent visibility and a console with intuitive operability. An all-new analog clock with a three-dimensional face, a contemporary and exclusive timepiece suitable to a premium luxury brand, is a focal point of the interior and represents a shift in Lexus’ design philosophy.

Use of genuine, high-quality materials and rich, finely honed details help create a driver and passenger space consistent with the idea of a full-fledged grand touring sedan. It is an interior designed to respond to the needs of customers who know true quality, and are particular about details.

Hybrid Propulsion
Blue LED Lexus Hybrid Drive badges located on the front grille and rear trunk lid signal an intention to provide equal measures of fuel efficiency and performance on demand. The rear valance blends sculpted exhaust tips for a very clean, finished look, minimizing the presence of the exhaust system to suggest that the flow of exhaust gas will be substantially reduced. Taken as a whole, the treatment emphasizes that this hybrid concept is designed to comply with the exceptionally low emissions requirements of the future.

The LF-Gh design supports engineering that changes current notions of power, efficiency, safety, and environmental consideration in a premium luxury car.

“Although only a concept, we hope the LF-Gh will resonate with our customers worldwide, and communicate our intention to once again advance ideas about the face of Lexus luxury in the years to come,” said Matsumoto.

Lexus LF-Gh Concept Specifications

Propulsion Lexus Hybrid Drive
Length 192.5 inches
Width 73.6 inches
Height 57.1 inches
Wheelbase 112.2 inches
Tire size (Front) P245/35R20
Tire size (Rear) P285/30R20
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Old 04-12-11, 09:33 AM
  #156  
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A few notes...

Size Comparison -

LF-Gh
Length 192.5 inches
Width 73.6 inches
Height 57.1 inches
Wheelbase 112.2 inches

3GS
Length 190.7 inches
Width 71.7 inches
Height 56.1 inches
Wheelbase 112.2 inches

Exact same wheelbase, just a tad longer and wider.


Lots of talk in this press release about driver focus, driving involvement, high performance, etc.


Overall, I like this concept but I am admittedly a little underwhelmed and hope it translates into something for meaningful for the production GS. For as aggressive and garish as the front end is, the sides of the car are painstakingly bland with less form or shape than the current GS, and almost any car in recent memory. There is NOTHING there in terms of design. Rear end is also nice but does look very Audi in proportion. The first rendition of L-Finesse added some curves to spice things up, but second generation looks to be all angles and if it's not an angle it's flat...flat as hell.

From the side view and added inch in height, looks like Lexus is trying to address concerns about headroom with the 4GS .

I look foward to seeing the interior and a few live shots as well.

Last edited by MPLexus301; 04-12-11 at 09:37 AM.
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Old 04-12-11, 09:36 AM
  #157  
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“Although only a concept, we hope the LF-Gh will resonate with our customers worldwide, and communicate our intention to once again advance ideas about the face of Lexus luxury in the years to come,” said Matsumoto.

Well if they put the right powertrains in, and make the driving experience much more engaging like the F, we might have a winner here.
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Old 04-12-11, 09:40 AM
  #158  
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On Autoblog
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/12/l...ew-york-debut/

+interior shots. This car looks to be pretty much production ready...
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Old 04-12-11, 09:46 AM
  #159  
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Loving where this is going...







Also looks suspiciously production-friendly
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Old 04-12-11, 09:47 AM
  #160  
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looks like the previous gen 5 Series
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Old 04-12-11, 09:48 AM
  #161  
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Why can't Lexus draw a straight line? Random kink at the rear door handle. Same issue I have with the CT. Looks like the designer sneezed while he was designing it. Buy a ruler, Lexus!
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Old 04-12-11, 09:48 AM
  #162  
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Wow if this is an indicator of whats to come on future Lexus models, Its about damn time!





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Old 04-12-11, 09:49 AM
  #163  
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Originally Posted by knihc2008
Why can't Lexus draw a straight line? Random kink at the rear door handle. Same issue I have with the CT. Looks like the designer sneezed while he was designing it. Buy a ruler, Lexus!
Because straight lines are boring. Kind of like a "square" if you will.
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Old 04-12-11, 09:51 AM
  #164  
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Originally Posted by flipside909
Because straight lines are boring. Kind of like a "square" if you will.


Yeah but this just looks like a mistake. It's not apparent enough for it to look like a purposeful design trait nor does it match up with any other design cue from the rest of the car.

No one seemed to like it on the Honda Odyssey...
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Old 04-12-11, 09:54 AM
  #165  
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Originally Posted by flipside909
Wow if this is an indicator of whats to come on future Lexus models, Its about damn time!





My thoughts exactly!! LFA meets RX for a quickie in the wee hours of a Saturday morning
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