2015 Tokyo: The Lexus LF-FC Flagship Concept previews the next-generation LS

The 2015 Tokyo Motor Show is in full swing and adding to the list of major reveals this year is something pretty significant from Lexus. Following the reveal of Mazda’s hot new RX-Vision Concept, Lexus decided to drop the details on their highly-anticipated concept, designed to tease the next-generation LS flagship sedan.

Meet the LF-LC Flagship Concept, our first glance at Lexus’ fifth generation full-size luxury sedan. And if there’s one immediate takeaway from this new concept, it provides promise that this new LS contender could probably lay anyone’s concerns for looking aesthetically boring.

Dressed in a much more dramatic design than pretty much any previous generation of LS, the new LF-FC utilizes Lexus’ new “L-Finesse” design philosophy, trading off the boring Joseph Abbud suit for Tony Stark’s Ironman getup.

The overall profile of the new LF-LC Flagship Concept is much sleeker than the current LS, with more of a four-door coupe-like appearance than ever before, with the heavily-raked windshield and sweptback roofline. Shaping the front-end is Lexus’ massive and now-signature spindle grille, with accompanying slit-hole LED headlightes, complemented by Lexus’ notable use for “L-Shaped” daytime running lights. The tails are modeled after the Toyota Mirai, where they run vertically at the sides of the rear, similarly to and old-school Cadillac.

To keep in line with Toyota’s efforts with hydrogen fuel-cells, the LF-LC is powered by such setup sending go-power to the rear axle while two electric motors power the front wheels, essentially making it all-wheel drive.

If anything, the overall shape slightly resembles the Aston Martin Lagonda, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Overall, the design is very clean, despite the judicious use of curves and angles. And if we were to make any bets, we’d think this could be the best looking Lexus LS ever. We can’t wait to see the production version.

Check out the press release after the jump.
Tokyo Motor Show Pic

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Lexus LF-FC Flagship Concept Revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show

October 28, 2015

TOKYO (Oct. 28, 2015) — Taking center stage in the Lexus booth at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015, Lexus revealed the LF-FC flagship concept, a visionary new vehicle that offers a peek into the design and technology direction of the brand’s future flagship sedan.

“Lexus wants to surprise and evoke emotion with its distinctive design and forward-thinking technology.  For us, it is more than just a car, and we should exceed conventional imagination.  The LF-FC expresses our progressive luxury and high-tech vision of a not so distant future,” said Tokuo Fukuichi, Lexus International President.

The LF-FC features a fresh new styling theme that embodies Lexus’ “L-finesse” design philosophy. From every angle, the sedan is aggressively elegant, exuding the spirit of a grand touring vehicle.  An evolved version of Lexus’ signature grille with a new mesh design dominates the front, while floating “L-shaped” daytime running lights (DRL) extrude flawlessly from the front fenders. The rear is highlighted by striking new taillights that adopt the same floating theme as the DRL. When seen from its profile, the LF-FC’s true character is revealed. The roofline flows from front to rear in the manner of a “4-door coupe,” suggesting that this vehicle isn’t just meant for straight highways, but to also be enjoyed on twisty roads. The sporty 21-inch aluminum wheels with carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) rims, add an extra dose of flair to what is already a dynamically styled machine.

The spacious interior of the LF-FC has been designed to wrap its occupants in a comfortable yet futuristic environment, while providing the driver with a highly-functional cockpit. The cabin has been designed in two sections, top and bottom. The top conveys a sense of openness, allowing the driver to concentrate on the road ahead without feeling constrained. When seen at eye level, the front seats seem to be floating. The rear seats have been designed for those who enjoy being driven, offering a reclining feature and plenty of head and knee space. High-quality aniline leather on the seats, doors and dashboard enhances the level of luxury of the interior.

Highlighting the new technology inside the LF-FC is an advanced human machine interface that can be operated by simple hand gestures, without the need to touch a panel or controls. A small holographic image on the center console indicates where the system can interpret your hand gestures to control the audio system and ventilation.

At the heart of the LF-FC is a high output fuel cell power system that energizes the rear wheels, and also sends power to two in-wheel motors in the front, making the LF-FC all-wheel-drive. This innovative drive system allows precise torque distribution control between the front and rear wheels, giving the full-size sedan exceptional dynamic handling and superior road stability. The strategic placement of the fuel-cell stack at the rear of the vehicle, power control unit at the front and T-formation configured hydrogen fuel tanks result in front and rear weight distribution optimal for a sporty sedan.
 
Using automated driving technologies, with elevated traffic environment recognition, prediction, and judgment function, the LF-FC provides a safe and efficient driving experience for its occupants and supports the vision of a world without traffic accidents. 
 
LEXUS LF-FC Specifications

Length 208.7 in.
Width 78.7 in.
Height 55.6 in.

 
 

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– By: Chris Chin

 

 



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Chris Chin

Chris Chin is the Editor-In-Chief of egmCarTech and is a regular contributor to Automobile Magazine.

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