The Lexus brand has set itself the target to strengthen its market position through an important transformation.
Such a plan requires serious changes, improvements and can’t only be based on a classic evolution. This is exactly what Toyota’s premium division is planing to do, as revealed by its Chief Designer, Simon Humphries in an interview for Lexus’ online magazine.
Humphries said that Lexus is currently focusing on becoming a luxury carmaker that produces driver-orientated vehicles, as opposed to chauffeur-destined ones. He said that the best example of this trend is the releasing of the LFA supercar.
However, this is primarily an engineering challenge, but it also has to receive a hefty support from the designed department. When asked about what this would translate into, the designer pointed out that his team will come with bolder solutions, offering future Lexus vehicles more special front ends. He mentioned the CT 200h as an example for this and said that the direction will spread across the entire range.
This are short to medium term changes, but the designer also revealed a few insights related to the 2011 model year range, which will arrive in showrooms in about five weeks. The 2011 MY Lexus IS will bring a set of important styling changes, which will offer it a more distinctive image. In addition to that, the 2011 GS will come with a seriously modified front fascia. However this new GS will come to the market in 2012. He added that the vehicles will still be connected with the current Lexus design identity, as the company plans an evolution.
Such a plan requires serious changes, improvements and can’t only be based on a classic evolution. This is exactly what Toyota’s premium division is planing to do, as revealed by its Chief Designer, Simon Humphries in an interview for Lexus’ online magazine.
Humphries said that Lexus is currently focusing on becoming a luxury carmaker that produces driver-orientated vehicles, as opposed to chauffeur-destined ones. He said that the best example of this trend is the releasing of the LFA supercar.
However, this is primarily an engineering challenge, but it also has to receive a hefty support from the designed department. When asked about what this would translate into, the designer pointed out that his team will come with bolder solutions, offering future Lexus vehicles more special front ends. He mentioned the CT 200h as an example for this and said that the direction will spread across the entire range.
This are short to medium term changes, but the designer also revealed a few insights related to the 2011 model year range, which will arrive in showrooms in about five weeks. The 2011 MY Lexus IS will bring a set of important styling changes, which will offer it a more distinctive image. In addition to that, the 2011 GS will come with a seriously modified front fascia. However this new GS will come to the market in 2012. He added that the vehicles will still be connected with the current Lexus design identity, as the company plans an evolution.