THE LINES SEEN IN THE PRODUCTION LEXUS LFA WERE SHARED WITH
THE AWARD WINNING CONCEPT FROM LEXUS IN JANUARY 2012. VIEW THE THREE IMAGES OF
THE PRODUCTION MODEL AND COMPARE TO THE CONCEPT PHOTOS ATTACHED.
The LFA is a Supercar with limited production. Hand built at
no more than twenty a month. The V10 powerplant
generates 354 lb-ft (480Nm) of torque at 7,000rpm. The application of VVT-i
variable valve timing with intelligence on both intake and exhaust combined
with equal length exhaust manifolds and high volume 12-hole fuel injectors
results in 90% of this formidable torque being available between 3,700rpm and the
9,000rpm red line, for searing in-gear acceleration at any engine speed and in
any gear. The result is a 0 –60 mph time of just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of
202 mph – exhilarating performance
from a bone fide supercar.
The LFA is a car of firsts.
It is the first supercar developed by Lexus to meet and exceed the company’s exacting
standards, and it is the first supercar that is as dynamic and engaging around
the Nürburgring Nordschleife as it is tackling a favorite mountain pass.
Featuring advanced carbon fiber technology, a highrevving
553 hp (412kW/560DIN hp)
4.8-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine and rear-mounted six-speed sequential
transmission, the mid-front engine LFA combines lightweight construction and
ideal chassis balance to deliver exhilarating and usable 202 mph (325km/h)
performance.
“The LFA is a thoroughbred
supercar, a lightweight, powerful and balanced machine engineered to achieve
one single goal – to deliver
a supreme driving experience,” explains Haruhiko Tanahashi, chief engineer of
the LFA’s development
program. “Over the past decade we have pushed every boundary – including the
development of our own
cutting edge carbon fiber monocoque chassis and bodywork – in the pursuit of
this
goal. I believe that we have
created the most driver-oriented car we possibly could.”
BY BRUCE HUBBARD
EDITED BY BONNIE LYNCH FROM PRESS RELEASES FROM LEXUS
AUTO ADVISOR GROUP
Lexus LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid Sport Coupe Concept Receives 2012 Eyes On Design
Award
Lexus LF-LC designers Wendy Lee, Ben Chang, Ian Cartabiano,
William Chergosky, Kevin Hunter and Edward Lee were honored with the best concept
car in the annual Eyes On Design Awards at the 2012 North American
International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 10, 2012.
Eyes On Design Awards honor the most significant automotive
designs on display at NAIAS 2012 as determined by the North American and global
leaders of design from automotive manufacturers, along with academic chairs of
transportation design programs and design leaders from other fields. The awards
recognize the skill and creativity of designers in the areas of Aesthetics and
Innovation, Concept Implementation, Functionality and Spirit of Industrial
Design and are awarded in production and concept categories.
Designed by the Lexus’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the LF-LC hybrid sport coupe was a pure design exercise. Challenged by the Lexus Center in Japan to come up with a design for a future hybrid sport coupe concept, the Calty team quickly went to work. They were seeking new ways to redefine the Lexus design style with emotive, avant-garde beauty and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for premium buyers.
“The LF-LC was a dream car to design and a true collaborative effort at Calty,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty. “It is an honor to have that work recognized by our peers and to receive the EyesOn Design Award.”
Designed by the Lexus’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the LF-LC hybrid sport coupe was a pure design exercise. Challenged by the Lexus Center in Japan to come up with a design for a future hybrid sport coupe concept, the Calty team quickly went to work. They were seeking new ways to redefine the Lexus design style with emotive, avant-garde beauty and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for premium buyers.
“The LF-LC was a dream car to design and a true collaborative effort at Calty,” said Kevin Hunter, president of Calty. “It is an honor to have that work recognized by our peers and to receive the EyesOn Design Award.”
The LF-LC displays the new Lexus design language in its bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture. Sumptuous curves blend smoothly into dynamic angles, creating an inviting display of lines, shadows and corners. The profile of the LF-LC creates a powerful, dynamic silhouette that is unmistakably that of a serious driver’s car. The lines of the vehicle emphasize direction and motion.
“The LF-LC is a striking design and breathtaking in its beauty,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The team at Lexus quickly fell in love with this concept vehicle and it’s rewarding to see that the industry agreed. Receiving the EyesOn Design Award is a great start to what promises to be a fantastic year for Lexus.”
“The Lexus design revolution started with the CT and GS,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The concept hybrid 2+2 liberates the idea of a sport coupe and pushes the boundaries of performance, style and technology.”
The LF-LC displays the new Lexus design language in its bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture. Sumptuous curves blend smoothly into dynamic angles, creating an inviting display of lines, shadows and corners.
Framed by a deep aluminum surround, the mesh pattern of the spindle grille takes 3D sculpture form, and functional air intakes in the bottom corners of the grille show the fusion of distinctive style and engineering functionality.
Daytime running lights are shaped like an “L” while the vertical fog lamps utilize a fading dot matrix pattern to suggest a sense of movement.
The profile of the LF-LC creates a powerful, dynamic silhouette that is unmistakably that of a serious driver’s car. The lines of the vehicle emphasize direction and motion.
The concept car’s glass roof features a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture inspired by modern architecture. A rising, kick-up window graphic and polished aluminum trim are unexpected elements. Overall, the greenhouse design enhances driver visibility while adding to the sleek lines of the car.
The dynamic cabin lines are carried through to the rear deck, sculpturally integrating the spindle grille theme to echo the front of the vehicle while creating a unique sense of width. The tail lamps, inspired by the look of a jet afterburner at take-off, use inner lighting to create a remarkable sense of depth. The rear is also fitted with fog lamps, repeating the fading dot matrix pattern of the front fog lamps. Visually, the integrated tail and fog lamps repeat the “L” shape and lead the viewer’s eye down to the powerful Lexus quad exhaust.
The interior of the LF-LC concept vehicle contrasts the cool ambience of advanced technology with soft textures and organic shapes to create a driver-focused synergy of form and function. The cockpit expresses a feeling of both openness and security. The driver is enveloped by deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console. The effect is to focus the driver zone on the controls and on the road.
Based on Lexus’ commitment to creating an intuitive driving experience, the LF-LC incorporates a remote touch-screen device that allows the driver to comfortably operate controls without shifting position or altering line-of-sight.
Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation display. Inputs come from a touch-screen control board piercing the swept center console. Used to control the audio system, climate controls and navigation, the interface features a pop-up touch-screen keyboard for more complex entries. Similar touch-screen surfaces on each door operate the windows, mirrors, seat adjustments and personal entertainment settings.
Set directly in front of the driver, multi-level meters layer analog and LCD technologies. The bottom layer displays temperature, fuel and the background for the Eco meter. The middle layer is the tachometer mechanical center ring. The topmost layer provides indicators for the tachometer, speedometer and Eco meter.
Surfaces throughout the cabin are presented in a combination of smooth leather and suede, with brushed metal trim and wood accents. The lightweight, race-inspired front seats are formed of multiple layers and repeat the interlacing curves that define the cabin interior. The racing style steering wheel is also a lightweight design and contains integrated controls and start button. Beautiful stitch details emphasize organic movement throughout the interior.
The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.
“This thought-provoking design exercise is a stunning expression of creativity,” said Templin. “Combined with a next-generation hybrid powertrain, this concept promises a rewarding driving experience that is also kinder to the environment.”
Photos at introduction of concept at NAIAS by Bruce Hubbard
Interior photo was from Lexus
Auto Advisor Group
Autoadvisorgroup.blogspot.com
brucehubbardphotography.IFP3.com
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