Lexus LF

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The Lexus LF line is a series of concept cars built by the Lexus luxury automobile division of Toyota Motor Corporation. The "LF" stands for L-Finesse,^[1] a new design direction by Lexus. L-Finesse, Lexus' new design language, was introduced first on the LF Series concepts and has now extended to all new vehicles in the Lexus lineup. The LF Series vehicles include two coupes/convertibles, the LF-A and LF-C, two sedans, the LF-S and LF-Sh, and one crossover SUV, the LF-X. These vehicles feature new design cues which are emblematic of the L-Finesse philosophy of Intriguing Elegance, Seamless Anticipation, and Incisive Simplicity, and are fitted with new vehicle technologies. The first concept vehicle of the LF Series, the LF-X, appeared in 2003. 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 Toyota produced under the Lexus brand. The LF-A's 5-liter (or smaller) engine produces more than 500 horsepower (373 kW), propelling it to a top speed of approximately 200 miles per hour (322 km/h). It debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). A revised version with more completely furnished interior was unveiled at the 2007 NAIAS as a possible future member of the Lexus F-Series lineup.

Toyota has given the LF-A concept car the green-light for production.^[2] Prototypes of the LF-A have been spotted being tested at the Nürburgring, a famous motorsport race track in Nürburg, Germany. The production vehicles are expected to carry V10 engines, putting the car in competition with the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Porsche 911 (997). Pricing is expected to exceed $100,000.^[3]

LF-C

The Lexus 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.^[4] The designation stands for Lexus Future-Coupe.^[5] The LF-C is fitted with a V8 engine. Rumors persist that that LF-C hints at the general design direction for the next-generation Lexus SC. It may, however, hint at a future 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.

LF-S

See also: Lexus GS

The LF-S is a concept luxury sedan which Lexus unveiled in 2003. The designation stands for Lexus Future-Sedan.^[5] Unique features of the LF-S concept included side-mounted cameras instead of mirrors, an air stream style windshield cleansing system, panoramic roof, 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 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.

LF-Sh

Main article: Lexus LS

Concept luxury sedan, eventually 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.^[5] The LF-Sh body style more closely resembled an actual production vehicle, the LS 460, than any of the other LF Series concepts, with identical exterior dimensions as the standard wheelbase version of the fourth generation LS sedan.

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 are scheduled to 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 in 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.

LF-X

Main article: Lexus LF-X

Concept crossover vehicle. The designation stands for Lexus Future-Crossover(X).^[5] This vehicle was the first to appear in the LF Series, and was initially revealed using the prior Lexus concept nomenclature. 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.

References

1. ^ Lexus Geneva Motor Show
2. ^ Lexus LF-A Greenlighted for Production
3. ^ Lexus LF-A to cost $100,000
4. ^ Lexus LF-C Concept
5. ^ ^{a b c d} Lexus.jp concept cars

• "Lexus confirms 500hp V10 for LF-A", a Leftlane News entry
• "Lexus website claims more than 500hp, "Lexus.ca"