L-Finesse, The Art of Design
Above what a vehicle delivers in terms of driving pleasure, Lexus designers believe it must touch you on an emotional level. To this end they created ‘L-finesse’, a unique design language that is taking Lexus vehicles in a completely different direction from today’s automotive design trends.
L-finesse stands for ‘Leading edge with finesse’. Yet to Lexus designers, it means even more. They speak of ‘incisive simplicity’ in describing the clean lines devoid of extraneous elements. An ‘intriguing elegance’ sees the coming together of seemingly contrasting design themes; simplicity and complexity, which attract the eye to the sheer artistry of the bodylines. The car’s spirit of hospitality is expressed through a ‘seamless anticipation’ in the way numerous elements welcome the driver into the cabin, in readiness for the journey ahead.
Simon Humphries, Global Head of Design has some very passionate views about L-finesse, something he believes sets Lexus apart as truly unique in terms of styling and emotional appeal. “L-finesse is everything that can't be measured by numbers and specifications. It is what's intangible about Lexus.”
More graphic in his description, the LS 460 Chief Designer Yo Hiruta described how “…the character lines in the sheet metal come from inside, as though they were pushed out by muscle," cited Hiruta. Very muscular, dynamic and confident.
In terms of the cars themselves, one hallmark of L-finesse is the higher placement of headlights, with the grille stepped down, going against conventional design themes. Another recurring theme is what they describe as the arrowhead design; the acute angle seen at apexes like the side window trim, the leading edge of the taillight unit, in the doorhandles and beyond. Such themes help assign a sense of continuity from the front to the back of a car, and from one Lexus vehicle to another.
Through L-finesse design, Lexus cars will now be distinguished not simply by the engineering brilliance within, but the elegance on the outside as well.