Lexus LF
Lexus LF concept series headlight.
The
Lexus LF line is a series of concept cars built by Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota Motor Corporation. The "LF" designation refers to
Lexus Future.
The LF Series vehicles include three coupes/convertibles: the LF-A, the
LF-A Roadster, and the LF-C; three sedans: the LF-S, LF-Sh, and LF-Gh;
two crossover SUVs: the LF-X and LF-Xh; and a hatchback, the LF-Ch. The
first concept vehicle of the LF Series, the LF-X, appeared in 2003. The
LF Series utilizes L-finesse,
a design philosophy named for "Leading Edge" and "finesse", which
debuted on the LF Series concepts and later extended to all new
production Lexus vehicles. New vehicle technologies on the LF Series
include advanced instrumentation, multiple driver-selected vehicle
configurations, hybrid and experimental powertrains, and unconventional
driver interface designs.
The vehicles also feature new design cues which derive from the L-finesse design language of "Intriguing Elegance" (純), "Incisive Simplicity" (妙), and "Seamless Anticipation" (予).
Several of the LF concept vehicles have appeared close to their
production counterparts, while the design cues of other LF concepts
appeared on more distinctly different production vehicles.
LF-A
The
LF-A is a 2-door
exotic concept car built as a prospective
halo car for the Lexus division. Three versions have been shown, the first debuting at the 2005
North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
The designation stands for
Lexus Future-Advance.
The first concept was about five inches shorter than the Porsche 911 Turbo (996) with a wheelbase about nine inches longer, and was nearly 48 inches (1,200 mm) in height about equal to the Ferrari F430
with a width of 73.2 in (1,859 mm). It was powered by a V10 engine
displacing 4.8 liters, generating over 550 hp (410 kW) and had a top
speed around 208 mph (335 km/h). To maintain a near ideal weight
distribution a rear transaxle is used and the radiators are mounted at
the rear.
A second revised version with a more completely furnished interior and
exterior was unveiled two years later at the 2007 NAIAS as a possible
future member of the Lexus
F marque performance lineup. The interior gauges revealed a 9000
RPM redline, however news reports speculated that it might not make the production version.
The third version of the LF-A concept, a
roadster model, premiered in 2008.
Reports in 2006 indicated that the LF-A concept car had received the green-light for production.
Prototypes of the LF-A had been spotted regularly undergoing testing at
Nürburgring since October 2004,
the famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany.
Numerous test vehicles have been equipped with automatic retractable rear wings, and carbon ceramic brake discs.
The production vehicles were expected to carry V10 engines,
putting the car in market competition with the
Lamborghini Gallardo, Ferrari F430, the Porsche 911 (997), and the Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1. Pricing was estimated at over $225,000,
and close to $400,000.
In December 2007,
Auto Express reported that the LF-A had set an unofficial 7:24 lap record at the Nürburgring.
The production $375,000 Lexus LFA supercar debuted in 2009.
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At the 2007 Chicago Auto Show
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LF-AR
Designated
LF-AR or LF-A Roadster, the roadster version of the LF-A concept car was first displayed at the
North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 13, 2008. Derived from the LF-A,
the designation stands for
Lexus Future-Advance Roadster.
Initial specifications for the roadster are a V10 engine under 5.0 L
with over 500 hp (373 kW) and a top speed of over 200 mph (320 km/h).
The LF-A Roadster was also revealed to have a retractable rear spoiler
for improved handling at speed. The LF-A Roadster show model featured
side cameras in place of standard mirrors, and a two-tone interior. The
model was designated with "F" badges indicating its place as a member of
the Lexus F performance division.
After its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show, the LF-A Roadster was also shown at the 2008
Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the 2008
Geneva Motor Show,
the United States Open Championship tournament, and at Lexus exhibits
in Japan. On August 12, 2009, news reports suggested that the LF-A would
be released as the LF-L, with the change in name from A to L to signify
its appearances at Le Mans and to draw on its pre-production racing
development.
However, a production non-convertible designated LFA premiered in October 2009.
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Side of the LF-A Roadster.
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Rear of the LF-A Roadster.
LF-C
The
LF-C is a concept car Lexus unveiled at the 2004
New York Auto Show. This concept featured a retractable hardtop design which allowed for coupe, convertible,
targa, or speedster configurations
via a four-position glass roof. The designation stands for
Lexus Future-Coupe.
The LF-C is fitted with a
V8 engine
and rear-wheel drive. Unique features included a one-touch activation
button, crystal LED taillamps, suede bucket seats, a 3D instrument
panel, drive-by-wire, and a translucent crystal center console with blue
backlighting.
The LF-C also featured retractable rear-view cameras in place of side mirrors on the doors and rear bumper.
Rumors persist that that LF-C hints at the general design direction for the next-generation Lexus SC. It may, however, hint at the convertible version of the
IS 250/350.
Design cues from the LF-C, particularly in the front fascia, appeared
in production form with the debut of the second generation Lexus IS.
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At the 2004 Paris Motor Show.
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LF-Ch
The
LF-Ch is a concept four-door hatchback Lexus unveiled in September 2009 at the
Frankfurt International Motor Show. The designation refers to
Lexus Future-Compact hybrid.
The LF-Ch exterior featured a more aggressive interpretation of the
L-finesse design language, with an arching roofline, rear spoiler, and
single-bar grille.
The rear door handles were integrated into the C-pillar window trim.
The concept was equipped with a hybrid 2.4 L inline-four gasoline engine
with an electric motor.
Inside, the LF-Ch featured wood, polished aluminum, and semi-aniline
leather, along with paddle shifters, a turbine-style instrument panel,
and Lexus'
Remote Touch control interface with pop-up information screen.
The rear seat featured entertainment options in the form of headrest-mounted
iPhone docks.
The LF-Ch was intended to preview a forthcoming premium compact
vehicle, which was expected to enter production in the near future and
targeted at European markets.
Such a vehicle, originally codenamed C-Premium in early press reports,
was designated CT 200h, CT 300h, or CT 400h in trademark applications
filed in June 2009 in the US and in Canada.
The LF-Ch concept measured 4,300 mm (169.3 in) long, 1,790 mm (70.5 in)
wide, and 1,400 mm (55.1 in) in height, with a wheelbase of 2,600 mm
(102.4 in).
It may very well presumptively be a Lexus based on the Toyota Corolla.
LF-Gh
The LF-Gh which stands for
Lexus Future Grand-touring Hybrid is Lexus's latest LF concept vehicle which debuted at the 2011
New York International Auto Show. The LF-Gh is a rear wheel drive hybrid platform powered by a
Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain. The LF-Gh also provide a hint of what future Lexus models, mainly the Lexus GS which was scheduled for late 2011, might look like. The front and the back of the LF-Gh is equipped with
LED
headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights. To improve
aerodynamics the LF-Gh's door handles are sealed into the door panel and
could be pushed to open out. the large spindle grille on the front of
the LF-Gh brings out the aggressiveness of the design. Though the
interior has been teased online, Lexus never once opened the doors of
the LF-Gh to reveal the full interior, which is why most critics are
rumoring that the LF-Gh is a nutshell concept, in which only the
exterior is has purpose, and the inside components are not made up.
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LF-Gh at the Melbourne Auto show.
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LF-Gh at the New York Auto show.
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LF-S
The
LF-S is a concept luxury sedan which Lexus unveiled in 2003 at the
Tokyo Motor Show, signalling its intentions to launch Lexus in its home country. The designation stands for
Lexus Future-Sedan.
Unique features of the LF-S concept included side-mounted cameras
instead of mirrors, an air stream style windshield cleansing system,
transparent panoramic roof with security illumination, and keyless
entry. Design cues from the LF-S, particularly the slingshot cabin,
sleek profile, and rear deck lid, appeared in the third generation Lexus GS production sedan. The vehicle was designed to seat 5 passengers.
The LF-S was powered by a high-output hybrid V8 system with all-wheel
drive, marking the conceptual debut of a Lexus vehicle with hybrid
technology (the first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h, subsequently premiered
in 2005 with a V6 hybrid powertrain, and in 2007 the LS 600h and LS
600h L hybrids debuted with hybrid V8 systems). The LF-S and GS sedans
were displayed together at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2005, alluding
to the design similarities between concept and production model. Overall
length was 193.3 in (4,910 mm)., width 74.6 in (1,895 mm)., and height
53.0 in (1,346 mm).
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LF-S at the Los Angeles Auto show.
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Production concept luxury sedan. The
LF-Sh was later developed into the fourth generation Lexus LS. The LF-Sh featured
LED headlamps, hybrid all-wheel drive, and exhaust vents integrated into the rear bumper. The designation refers to
Lexus Future-Sedan hybrid.
The LF-Sh body style transitioned to an actual production vehicle, the
LS 460, more closely than any of the other LF Series concepts, with
identical exterior dimensions as the standard wheelbase version of the
fourth generation LS sedan.
However, multiple details on the LF-Sh were changed for production.
Among them, the integrated exhaust vents were shifted from a seamless
one-piece design to a chrome-plated version. The LED headlamps did not
appear on the standard production LS 460, but did later debut on the
hybrid ultra-luxury LS 600h / LS 600h L. The long wheelbase model LS 460
L is a lengthened version of the LF-Sh/LS 460 standard wheelbase
design.
The LF-Sh concept premiered at the
Tokyo Motor Show
in late 2005, following the debut of Lexus in the home market of Japan,
and predating the January 2006 debut of the LS 460 North America. The
LF-Sh concept was not fitted with an interior, allowing the interior
reveal of the LS 460 to occur at the
North American International Auto Show in 2006.
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Integrated exhaust vents.
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At the '05 Tokyo Motor Show.
LF-X
The Lexus LF-X crossover concept on display in 2006.
Concept crossover vehicle. The
LF-X designation stands for
Lexus Future-Crossover(X).
This vehicle was the first to appear in the LF Series, and was
initially revealed using the prior Lexus concept nomenclature as the
HP-X. The LF-X design fits between the RX crossover and the GX large
SUV. If produced (possibly under the VX or JX designation), the LF-X
would offer three rows of seating, compared to the RX's two rows. The
LF-X was produced using the GS 430 platform, and equipped with a 300
horsepower V8 engine. The instrument panel was designed to be
customizable for size, position, and color. Rear seat entertainment
screens could be deployed from the center console.
Overall length was 4,935 mm (194.3 in), width 1,984 mm (78.1 in), and
height 1,646 mm (64.8 in), with wheelbase at 2,959 mm (116.5 in).
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Forward view of LF-X concept
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LF-X side profile, interior
LF-Xh
The Lexus LF-Xh at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.
The Lexus LF-Xh is a concept crossover hybrid vehicle. The
LF-Xh designation stands for
Lexus Future-Crossover(X) hybrid. This vehicle was first shown in October 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show and appeared also at the October 2008 Paris Motor Show.
The LF-Xh featured a V6 engine with electric motors, LED headlights and taillights, and a concept interior.
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