Car designs inspired by Lexus
01-30-13, 10:33 PM
#16
By the way, Jaguar totally copied the 2nd Generation GS when designing the S-type right down to the wheelbase and interior proportions.
Jaguar themselves admitted as much : http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/mo...d-test-1411862
A funny thing is that the current XF is just a highly modified S-type chassis.
So when you see an XF on the road, realize that a little bit of the 2nd gen GS just passed you by.
Jaguar themselves admitted as much : http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/mo...d-test-1411862
A funny thing is that the current XF is just a highly modified S-type chassis.
So when you see an XF on the road, realize that a little bit of the 2nd gen GS just passed you by.
There is nothing in the article that points out the S-Type in particular, but the first generation GS and Jaguar studying it. I have close connections in Birmingham/Coventry(born there as well) and first visited Browns Lane in Allesley, Coventry about a year into the S-Type's production. My father and I were shown the design sketches of the S-Type dating back to 1995-96, in addition to preliminary design work on the X350 XJ(released in 2003). Lexus froze the design of the 2GS in late 1995, but did not showcase it until January 1997 as the HPS. I don't see similarities between the 2000 Jaguar S-Type nor the 1993-1997 GS.
Last edited by Carmaker1; 01-30-13 at 10:51 PM.
01-30-13, 10:35 PM
#17
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Great thread. I don't want this to end and I would love to see this posted on other particular forums. Sometimes people act as if Lexus innovates nothing just for the sake of professing their love of competing German brands. All in all every automaker contributes something to automotive design and innovation.....with the exception of the Korean makes (so far). 
01-31-13, 11:08 PM
#18
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Cmk1: The main reason I used model years instead of design patent times was because I lean more towards the "doing counts more than thinking" side. It is 1 thing for a company to patent something (because it might never make it to production), and it is another for a company to actually showcase a product (thereby sealing it's place as the "first" to do so). Ya, I do realize there are flaws with my line of thinking, but hey, noone is perfect
I am also not good enough of a researcher to find out the patent dates like you did. Bravo!
P.s. I also can't figure out whether you are trying to disprove my posts or add further credibility, lol.
I hope more people will see this too, especially some of the incorrect automobile journalists, who inherently bleed misleading information onto those who know no better.
For that reason, I put this thread in my signature. (or maybe that was to stroke my ego)
I am also not good enough of a researcher to find out the patent dates like you did. Bravo!
P.s. I also can't figure out whether you are trying to disprove my posts or add further credibility, lol.
Great thread. I don't want this to end and I would love to see this posted on other particular forums. Sometimes people act as if Lexus innovates nothing just for the sake of professing their love of competing German brands. All in all every automaker contributes something to automotive design and innovation.....with the exception of the Korean makes (so far).
For that reason, I put this thread in my signature.
(or maybe that was to stroke my ego)
01-31-13, 11:52 PM
#19
Lexus Test Driver
This thread is maddening. Over the course of auto history, cars have always looked alike. This would be done whether on purpose or accidentally. It will continue to happen, as one can only design so many different looks w/o a few accidentally looking similar.
02-01-13, 03:28 AM
#22
Lexus Connoisseur
When Lexus started out with the original LS400, it looked mildly similar to the Mercedes S class design at the time. Since then, many people have said that Lexus has done nothing but copy design language from other brands. While I do agree it is ture that Lexus has done it's share of copying (what car brand hasn't?), I disagree with those that say that Lexus ONLY copies and lacks original designing.
I made this thread to highlight car designs which seem to have been inspired by Lexus. I didn't see a thread like this when I used the "search" function, so hopefully we all can take a look at a collective thread that showcases the inspiring designs of Lexus. (And maybe set a few records straight)
1. When the second generation GS came out in 1997-2005, it had the quad headlights that took design cues from the 1995 Mercedes E class. As time went on, the 3rd GS came out in 2006. The quad headlights still remained but they were very different. The outer lights were squared off into longer rectangular shapes, the inner ones shrunk to a small size. Mercedes went through 1 more generation (2002-2008) before introducing the W212 E in 2009. The reverse happened. The 2009 Mercedes took design cues from 2006 Lexus. In 2012, the 4th GS's debut showed that the company had restyled the headlights to 1 long rectangular piece. The quad style was gone. Mercedes, in the middle of the W212 lifespan, facelifted the E to also remove the quad headlights. The headlights are now rectangular, though not very similar to the GS.
Summary: What started with Lexus watching Mercedes, ended with what can be observed as the opposite.
2. Many people often say that the 2013 LS has similar L-tube style taillamps to the BMW 7 series. However, they may not realize Lexus was the first to do the L-tube styling with the 2007-2012 LS. BMW did not have the L tubes until the debut of the 2009 7 series, which was a full 2 years after the 2007 LS.
Summary: Lexus never took any cues from BMW in the taillights. BMW took cues from Lexus in 2009.
3. Audi is often credited with the LED headlights that populate many luxury cars in recent times. Although the R8 was one of the first autos to use an all LED headlight display. Cadillac's Escalade beat them to it. Beating both of those, Lexus's LS600hL introduced in 2007, for the '08 model year, was the first production car to use LED in the headlights.
Summary: Lexus was the first to use LED headlights, not Audi.
4. This last one is a bit of a family squabble. I see a lot of people talking about the 4th GS being the changing factor for Lexus (spindle grill). Many cite it as the first of the Lexus family to to radically shake up design within the brand. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case. I believe that the CT was the first from Lexus to showcase the spindle grill. Although, it is definately not as important a car as the GS, I do believe credit should be given to the baby in the family. In addition, because the CT is a less important car, I think the reasoning for the debut of the spindle grill design is apparent: Showing a radical design on a newer, lesser car will be a way for the company to "test the waters" to see if their design will be a welcome addition to prelude to the bigger players in the family. The CT was introduced in 2010, the GS in 2012.
Summary: The CT deserves the name "The New Face of Lexus", not the GS.
*****************************************************
Can you guys think of anymore?
Those are all of the things I can think of for now. I am not a blind Lexus fanboy, as I do appreciate the designs of many brands. I also do realize that Lexus did copying as well, as stated earlier. I am just trying to hopefully open the eyes of whoever comes across this post, whether on the internet, or within our own CL community.
Hope you guys had as much fun reading, as I did thinking/posting.
I made this thread to highlight car designs which seem to have been inspired by Lexus. I didn't see a thread like this when I used the "search" function, so hopefully we all can take a look at a collective thread that showcases the inspiring designs of Lexus. (And maybe set a few records straight
)1. When the second generation GS came out in 1997-2005, it had the quad headlights that took design cues from the 1995 Mercedes E class. As time went on, the 3rd GS came out in 2006. The quad headlights still remained but they were very different. The outer lights were squared off into longer rectangular shapes, the inner ones shrunk to a small size. Mercedes went through 1 more generation (2002-2008) before introducing the W212 E in 2009. The reverse happened. The 2009 Mercedes took design cues from 2006 Lexus. In 2012, the 4th GS's debut showed that the company had restyled the headlights to 1 long rectangular piece. The quad style was gone. Mercedes, in the middle of the W212 lifespan, facelifted the E to also remove the quad headlights. The headlights are now rectangular, though not very similar to the GS.
Summary: What started with Lexus watching Mercedes, ended with what can be observed as the opposite.
2. Many people often say that the 2013 LS has similar L-tube style taillamps to the BMW 7 series. However, they may not realize Lexus was the first to do the L-tube styling with the 2007-2012 LS. BMW did not have the L tubes until the debut of the 2009 7 series, which was a full 2 years after the 2007 LS.
Summary: Lexus never took any cues from BMW in the taillights. BMW took cues from Lexus in 2009.
3. Audi is often credited with the LED headlights that populate many luxury cars in recent times. Although the R8 was one of the first autos to use an all LED headlight display. Cadillac's Escalade beat them to it. Beating both of those, Lexus's LS600hL introduced in 2007, for the '08 model year, was the first production car to use LED in the headlights.
Summary: Lexus was the first to use LED headlights, not Audi.
4. This last one is a bit of a family squabble. I see a lot of people talking about the 4th GS being the changing factor for Lexus (spindle grill). Many cite it as the first of the Lexus family to to radically shake up design within the brand. Unfortunately, I don't think that is the case. I believe that the CT was the first from Lexus to showcase the spindle grill. Although, it is definately not as important a car as the GS, I do believe credit should be given to the baby in the family
. In addition, because the CT is a less important car, I think the reasoning for the debut of the spindle grill design is apparent: Showing a radical design on a newer, lesser car will be a way for the company to "test the waters" to see if their design will be a welcome addition to prelude to the bigger players in the family. The CT was introduced in 2010, the GS in 2012.Summary: The CT deserves the name "The New Face of Lexus", not the GS.
*****************************************************
Can you guys think of anymore?
Those are all of the things I can think of for now. I am not a blind Lexus fanboy, as I do appreciate the designs of many brands. I also do realize that Lexus did copying as well, as stated earlier. I am just trying to hopefully open the eyes of whoever comes across this post, whether on the internet, or within our own CL community.
Hope you guys had as much fun reading, as I did thinking/posting.
Nice comparison. It's true, Lexus is a trendsetter for all makes and models. The Europeans will never admit it. Gen 4 LS started the rear bumper exhaust bezel (non connected tips) in its class and was ridiculed for it. Now that the Europeans are doing it, it's perfectly acceptable.
02-01-13, 05:18 AM
#23
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By the way, Jaguar totally copied the 2nd Generation GS when designing the S-type right down to the wheelbase and interior proportions.
Jaguar themselves admitted as much : http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/mo...d-test-1411862
A funny thing is that the current XF is just a highly modified S-type chassis.
So when you see an XF on the road, realize that a little bit of the 2nd gen GS just passed you by.
Jaguar themselves admitted as much : http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/mo...d-test-1411862
A funny thing is that the current XF is just a highly modified S-type chassis.
So when you see an XF on the road, realize that a little bit of the 2nd gen GS just passed you by.
However, I don't see how the 2GS fits in regards to the S-Type in your assessment. You are very wrong on that, as the X200 development program at Jaguar began in October 1994 and styling for the S-Type was finalized in August 1996.
There is nothing in the article that points out the S-Type in particular, but the first generation GS and Jaguar studying it. I have close connections in Birmingham/Coventry(born there as well) and first visited Browns Lane in Allesley, Coventry about a year into the S-Type's production. My father and I were shown the design sketches of the S-Type dating back to 1995-96, in addition to preliminary design work on the X350 XJ(released in 2003). Lexus froze the design of the 2GS in late 1995, but did not showcase it until January 1997 as the HPS. I don't see similarities between the 2000 Jaguar S-Type nor the 1993-1997 GS.
There is nothing in the article that points out the S-Type in particular, but the first generation GS and Jaguar studying it. I have close connections in Birmingham/Coventry(born there as well) and first visited Browns Lane in Allesley, Coventry about a year into the S-Type's production. My father and I were shown the design sketches of the S-Type dating back to 1995-96, in addition to preliminary design work on the X350 XJ(released in 2003). Lexus froze the design of the 2GS in late 1995, but did not showcase it until January 1997 as the HPS. I don't see similarities between the 2000 Jaguar S-Type nor the 1993-1997 GS.
Doubt it. The CLK coupe concept was presented in 1993 at Geneva. I would bet the design was in the pipeline before the SC debuted. Not everything has to be a "taken design cue" from someone else.
Last edited by TangoRed; 02-01-13 at 05:21 AM.
02-01-13, 07:47 AM
#24
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While I agree the S-type and ClK are a stretch let's focus on car designs inspired by Lexus and not trying to prove otherwise. The internetz is filled with that already.
For example the XF was clearly inspired by the GS and this has been documented in various interviews in magazines. Of course the internetz is mum and hush about that.
For example the XF was clearly inspired by the GS and this has been documented in various interviews in magazines. Of course the internetz is mum and hush about that.
02-01-13, 06:38 PM
#26
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Nice comparison. It's true, Lexus is a trendsetter for all makes and models. The Europeans will never admit it. Gen 4 LS started the rear bumper exhaust bezel (non connected tips) in its class and was ridiculed for it. Now that the Europeans are doing it, it's perfectly acceptable.
02-01-13, 10:08 PM
#27
That is in no way an admittance that Jaguar copied the GS for the S-type. Automakers tear down competitors' cars on a regular basis.
Exactly.
Doubt it. The CLK coupe concept was presented in 1993 at Geneva. I would bet the design was in the pipeline before the SC debuted. Not everything has to be a "taken design cue" from someone else.
Exactly.
Doubt it. The CLK coupe concept was presented in 1993 at Geneva. I would bet the design was in the pipeline before the SC debuted. Not everything has to be a "taken design cue" from someone else.
02-01-13, 10:21 PM
#28
Cmk1: The main reason I used model years instead of design patent times was because I lean more towards the "doing counts more than thinking" side. It is 1 thing for a company to patent something (because it might never make it to production), and it is another for a company to actually showcase a product (thereby sealing it's place as the "first" to do so). Ya, I do realize there are flaws with my line of thinking, but hey, noone is perfect
I am also not good enough of a researcher to find out the patent dates like you did. Bravo!
P.s. I also can't figure out whether you are trying to disprove my posts or add further credibility, lol.
I hope more people will see this too, especially some of the incorrect automobile journalists, who inherently bleed misleading information onto those who know no better.
For that reason, I put this thread in my signature. (or maybe that was to stroke my ego)
I am also not good enough of a researcher to find out the patent dates like you did. Bravo!
P.s. I also can't figure out whether you are trying to disprove my posts or add further credibility, lol.
I hope more people will see this too, especially some of the incorrect automobile journalists, who inherently bleed misleading information onto those who know no better.
For that reason, I put this thread in my signature.
(or maybe that was to stroke my ego)Last edited by Carmaker1; 02-03-13 at 02:29 AM.
02-01-13, 10:57 PM
#29
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Oh ok, that's what you meant.
Now does anyone know what tangored was talking about when he said exhaust bezels?
And i still am not able to have a signautre
Now does anyone know what tangored was talking about when he said exhaust bezels?
And i still am not able to have a signautre
