NAIAS: Lexus LF-LC

Jack Baruth
by Jack Baruth

“You know,” Mark Templin of Lexus told the press, “the first time I saw this car, I was speechless.” I know I have that quote correct, because it was in the copy of the speech handed out after the press event.

Speeches about speechlessness aside, however, this is the new styling direction of Lexus. That much is obvious from the pinched grille. What else can we learn about it?

Not much, really. It’s a hybrid, or at least it is supposed to be. The central external concept — that of a “glass to glass” roof pillar — is almost certainly impossible given current construction methods. The central internal concept — is the “tech-board”, which was described as “like having a tilt-up iPad build into the console.” Not the most compelling idea, honestly.

The rest of the LF-LC story is all about the styling, so we will leave that up to you, the reader, to decide.




Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth

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  • Felis Concolor Felis Concolor on Jan 10, 2012

    Those dual sweeps from the tail light housing remind me of the top line Cadillac Seville's stainless steel trim of 53 years ago. Hmm... "Suddenly, it's 1959!"

  • Disaster Disaster on Jan 10, 2012

    It's starting to grow on me. At least it is unique...not a copy cat cookie cutter design.

  • ToolGuy Why would they change the grille?
  • Oberkanone Nissan proved it can skillfully put new frosting on an old cake with Frontier and Z. Yet, Nissan dealers are so broken they are not good at selling the Frontier. Z production is so minimal I've yet to see one. Could Nissan boost sales? Sure. I've heard Nissan plans to regain share at the low end of the market. Kicks, Versa and lower priced trims of their mainstream SUV's. I just don't see dealerships being motivated to support this effort. Nissan is just about as exciting and compelling as a CVT.
  • ToolGuy Anyone who knows, is this the (preliminary) work of the Ford Skunk Works?
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X I will drive my Frontier into the ground, but for a daily, I'd go with a perfectly fine Versa SR or Mazda3.
  • Zerofoo The green arguments for EVs here are interesting...lithium, cobalt and nickel mines are some of the most polluting things on this planet - even more so when they are operated in 3rd world countries.
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