Lexus L-Finesse Design Analysis: IS is IT!

By Jonathan Yarkony,

Monday, September 26, 2005

Page 1 of 3
Previous
1
2
3
Next

Lexus Entertains Guests with jacksoul, Brassaii Cuisine and the New 2006 IS

Thanks, Lexus. No, not for the free food. Not even for the chance to experience an exclusive acoustic performance by

The IS is the first model to be designed from start to finish, exclusively with the principles of L-Finesse applied to every detail and the sum of the whole. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

jacksoul. Rather, I thank Lexus for L-Finesse. For the LF-A, LF-C and LF-S concepts. And now for the IS. The IS is the first model to be designed from start to finish, exclusively with the principles of L-Finesse applied to every detail and the sum of the whole.

For those asking, "What about the GS?" Well, the GS also inherits some of its original Giugiario profile and headlights, so it's neither exclusively nor purely L-Finesse. Mind you, the three all-black GSs parked in front of the restaurant were just "sick" no matter what design language label you want to hang on them; which could be described as fusing Italian design-house chic with Japanese contemporary-luxury simplicity.

Lexus

Imagine the first sketches of L-Finesse being drawn using a traditional Japanese brush and ink, thin dark slashes using the brush's tip filled in by soft, varied gray surfaces pressing down. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

has been developing its L-Finesse styling theme for some time now, and in the span of three short years I have watched them introduce the HPX wagon, then the LF-S, LF-C and LF-A concepts. The HPX (or LF-X as it was later renamed) combined the practical ingenuity necessary to impress an ever-more demanding family audience and the freedom of exploring a new design language.

But it wasn't until the LF-S, LF-C and LF-A concept cars that I began to realize the great beauty of L-Finesse. I could imagine the first sketches being drawn using a traditional Japanese brush and ink, thin dark slashes using the brush's tip filled in by soft, varied gray surfaces pressing down with the width of the brush, using more water than ink. Simplicity leading to passionate design.