It’s been a few weeks since the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where many of the world’s automakers release their latest models. Often, automakers will also release concept cars that speak to their design future, their latest technological ideas, and their product roadmap. Lexus has done a ton of work in the last few years to change their image as bland, vanilla luxury cars that your grandma might drive, to sharp, angular, and stylish (if polarizing) designs. The latest iteration of this design language is clearly evident in the LF-1 Limitless concept, an angular, rose-gold colored crossover. Photographed by Webb Bland, it’s a pretty solid effort by Lexus to iterate on their styling, and showcase what your car might look like in the next 4-5 years.
The concept is less outlandish than some of their previous ideations, which probably speaks to this car’s chances of becoming an actual, drivable vehicle.
Some of the futuristic, concept car items are definitely at play, however. One thing that automakers love to remove from their concepts is rearview mirrors, replacing them with small cameras that beam the rearview onto screens in the cockpit. Currently, federal regulations prohibit this, so when a concept makes it into production, automakers have to strap big old clunky mirrors onto their designs.
The swooping lines and angles continue in the interior, with a driver’s seat that is surrounded by sculptural metal and leather. A display that hugs the dashboard is futuristic, but seems more iterative on their current lineup, which features a large digital pop-up design. The steering wheel features a heart rate monitor, able to give health feedback to the driver.
The roof of the LF-1 Limitless has an interesting paneled approach, culminating in two wing-type structures off of the tailgate. Whether these are functional, we don’t know. But it’s a design element that shows some creativity.
The interior has some nice tech touches, but seems more buildable and realistic than some concepts, that have wildly expensive layouts and custom computer displays.
Whether you find the design intriguing or ugly, it’s hard to argue that Lexus hasn’t put a lot of thought and effort into energizing it’s design language.
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