2015 Lexus NX

Motor · Sep 5, 2013

World Premiere of the Lexus LF-NX Crossover Concept at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show

-Distinctive and sculpted styling
-‘Human Oriented’ interior design with new, touch-sensitive instrumentation
-Highly efficient full hybrid powertrain

A new Lexus compact crossover concept, the LF-NX, will make its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA). This concept explores the potential for a compact crossover within the Lexus model range.

Reinforcing Lexus’ leading position in full hybrid drive technology, the LF-NX concept is powered by a new variant of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system tuned for SUV performance.

With its highly distinctive and powerfully sculpted styling, the LF-NX concept’s exterior design reflects a further evolution of Lexus’ L-finesse design language.

The front is dominated by a strong interpretation of the Lexus spindle grille, extremely expressive signature front lighting with independent Daytime Running Lights (DRL), and unique corner styling which separates the bumper from the front wing with an aggressive vertical cut.

In profile, muscular wheel arches are trimmed with the black protective finish which typifies an urban crossover. Above the pronounced diamond shape of the belt line, a classic Lexus side glazing profile and steeply raked tailgate create the sweeping silhouette of an athletic coupe.

The rear features highly articulated lamp clusters. They are detailed to project downwards to the full depth of the bumper, creating a sharp, aerodynamic trailing edge to the vehicle which mirrors the front wing detailing.

The Lexus LF-NX concept is finished in a new Brushed Metal Silver exterior colorwhich gives the striking impression that the bodyshell has been carved from a single piece of solid metal.

The interior mirrors the LF-NX’s highly sculpted exterior with bold, powerful forms creating a driver-focused cockpit within an ergonomically ideal environment.

In a continuation of the ‘Human Oriented’ L-finesse design concept, the cabin features the ideal, upper display zone and lower operation zone dashboard format perfected over successive Lexus generations.

This allows for intuitive interaction with the vehicle’s next generation technology, which includes touch-sensitive electrostatic switches, and a new touch pad Remote Touch Interface (RTI) design.

Reinforcing the LF-NX concept’s premium crossover credentials, the strength and refinement of the interior’s carved metal surfacing is complemented throughout by Sunrise Yellow / Black leather upholstery with contrast stitching, and sophisticated blue instrument lighting.

The Lexus press conference is scheduled on September 10 at 13:00 CET on the Lexus stand, Hall 8, Frankfurt Messe.

Avegedme · Sep 5, 2013

If drive it.

GSBoek · Sep 5, 2013

I'm quite sure they are already past the "explore potential" phase. Would be interesting to see the production stampings for the body.

Motor · Sep 7, 2013

GSBoek said:
Would be interesting to see the production stampings for the body.

Read the bold part below.

Lexus LF-NX Concept

The LF-NX Concept is designed to gauge reaction to an avant-garde SUV to take on the baby Range Rover

Lexus is set to preview its answer to the Range Rover Evoque at the Frankfurt motor show next week, in the shape of an athletic, avant-garde compact SUV concept called the Lexus LF-NX.

This five-door premium soft-roader will make its global debut at Frankfurt, in an exercise intended to gauge the reaction of European show-goers to a bolder and more aggressive design than they’re used to in a class where the Evoque is an exception rather than the rule, and where the dominant powers are such conservative cars as the Audi Q5 and BMW X3. “We want this to be a very influential car — one to make its rivals look boring,” says design project manager Nobuyuki Tomatsu.

The design of the production car is still to be decided. “This isn’t one of those show cars that is 95 per cent representative of something finished,” Tomatsu says. “We have taken a risk, and we hope the reaction will be positive. If it is, there is no reason why our production car couldn’t look like this.”

Power comes from an adaptation of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system from the American market’s Lexus ES300h saloon. That means the front wheels will be driven by a combination of a 156bhp 2.5-litre petrol engine and an electric motor, serving up 200bhp in total. “We haven’t ruled out four-wheel drive for the finished car,” says Tomatsu. “The powertrain is just a starting point for us.”

The LF-NX’s exterior styling is a sounding board for several individual developments of features of the Lexus L-Finesse design language. Its spindle grille is larger than it is on Lexus’s current production crop, and features a diamond-shaped mesh conveying a more vivid sense of density and strength.

At the rear, that spindle shape is echoed in the sheet metal around the lights. And both of the character lines along the car’s flanks — the boomerang shoulderline and kinked lower feature line — have been exaggerated to create added dynamism.

The cabin of the LF-NX is designed to make an equally strong impact. It contrasts dark grey with ‘sunrise yellow’ leather. An axe-themed centre console, topped by satin chrome, creates a feeling of strength for both front and back-row occupants, while switchgear has been kept to a minimum.

At the head of that console, Lexus’s familiar, mouse-like Remote Touch Interface controller has been replaced by a simpler Audi-style fingertip touchpad.

DANZZT231 · Sep 7, 2013

It looks pretty awful, no?

GSBoek · Sep 9, 2013

We're not used to seeing this much sculpture from Toyota, that's for sure. Minor fender benders could turn itno nightmares. :chuckles:

Motor · Sep 10, 2013

Motor · Sep 11, 2013

Motor · Sep 12, 2013

GSBoek · Sep 13, 2013

I'm not an SUV type but I'm liking it. Kinda looks low enough for my tastes.

Motor · Sep 14, 2013

Kevin: The LF-NX is so aggressive, so angular — how does this new exterior design work within the L-FINESSE language?

Takeshi Tanabe: The LF-NX concept is still very much influenced by the Lexus L-finesse (L = leading edge) design language that we’ve been evolving for nearly a decade now.

Despite the very expressive (I prefer to say ‘expressive’ rather than ‘aggressive’) cutting lines in the bodywork, you’ll also find softer, complementary curves around areas like the fenders. These contrasts are key to Lexus styling. You will also see them inside the car, where soft leather padding juxtaposes with machined aluminium.

You’ll also notice familiar Lexus ‘J-factor’ (= Japanese heritage) elements like the arrowhead features on the window mouldings or the LED daytime running lights that actually pierce through the front moulding.

In a recent interview with Mark Templin, he explained that Lexus designers have a new level of creative freedom — how did this affect the development of the LF-NX?

Yes, the idea of creative freedom is very true for this car too. This approach started with the LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe, where top management gave the Lexus design team an open brief to really push the limits of Lexus concept car design. The LF-NX carries this approach forward.

We want design that thrills, design that excites and design that is controversial. We want cars with attitude that turn heads and create desirability amongst customers.

For the LF-NX concept we were determined to create a younger and sportier design. My team wanted a lean and tough medium-sized crossover rather like a featherweight boxer. This is why we cut away the cabin sides to give a muscular and sculpted form.

The interior introduces some new technologies, like the next-generation Remote Touch & even the responsive lightshow when clicking a button — how close are these technologies to a production Lexus?

Remote Touch with a finger pad could well be seen on Lexus production models some time in the future, although obviously I cannot say when.

Inside, the HMI (Human Machine Interface) architecture has been moved one step forward too, so the LF-NX driver gets the feeling of connecting with the central nervous system of the car. The lights on the centre console create the impression of information pulsating from your fingertips into the central control centre of the car. With it, we try to simulate an even closer connection between the driver and the car.

My personal favorite detail inside is the interior rear view mirror, that was inspired by those on racing cars. Interestingly, the overall geometry and proportions of the interior are very similar to our latest driver-focused cockpits.

How do the rear combination lights work? It appears there’s a moving design within the glass housing.

This is a special projection effect we developed for the LF-NX concept car, to compliment the lighting effect inside the car.

Final question — the general reaction to the concept has been split, did you know how polarizing the final design would be?

Actually, we were very much hoping this would happen and are thrilled that the LF-NX is now being discussed with so much energy in the media.

Reading the blogs and posts about the Frankfurt Motor Show concept cars, we see many people are already connecting with the concept in an emotional way. Rather like when you visit an art gallery and discuss a painting – some like it, some don’t.

Motor · Sep 16, 2013

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Motor · Nov 5, 2013

Lexus will display the “Lexus LF-NX” compact crossover SUV concept at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show Nov. 20 through Dec. 1 at Tokyo Big Sight in Koto Ward, Tokyo.

Lexus LF-NX Turbo World Premiere
The Lexus LF-NX concept, which made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year, has been outfitted with a newly-developed 2.0-liter turbo engine for guaranteed power and improved fuel economy.

A lower center of gravity, emphasized by the front under spoiler, gives the turbo model a sportier look. The LF-NX cuts a lean profile, with its compact, sharp body and bold tires conveying SUV-unique power and an exciting drive. Inside, the new remote touch interface with touchpad functionality provides an advanced, user-friendly experience unique to Lexus.

GSBoek · Nov 5, 2013

I still think they will tone it down for production.

Motor · Nov 12, 2013

Motor · Nov 20, 2013

Motor · Nov 20, 2013

Motor · Nov 21, 2013

GSBoek · Nov 21, 2013

Ha! Trub0 is coming.

2015 Lexus NX

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