Video: Lexus LF-1 Limitless Crossover Concept Sneak Peek

Posted by Kevin on January 14th, 2018

Lexus has dropped a third teaser for the upcoming LF-1 crossover concept just 24 hours before the reveal:

There are five different looks at the LF-1 concept, all closely cropped and careful — let’s start with this still of the front grille:

“Lexus

There’s a quick glimpse of the wheel, elaborate with a two-tone finish:

“Lexus

Things get more interesting in the third image, which shows a new rear seat infotainment interface:

“Lexus

It’s never a good idea to read too much into a concept, but this is a new interpretation of the Lexus Remote Touch controller — instead of a trackpad or a mouse, the interface is four buttons arranged in a cross.

The next shot is the rear of the vehicle, mirroring the first LF-1 teaser image at the beginning of December:

“Lexus

Finally, there’s another look at the front headlights, which we saw in animated form a couple weeks back:

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Lexus has pulled out all the stops with the lead-in to the LF-1 Limitless reveal tomorrow, and every indication points towards a concept that can stand side-by-side with the LF-LC and LF-FC concepts that preceded the LC coupe and new LS sedan. Tomorrow can’t come soon enough.

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Comments
krew
krew

Video: The Lexus LF-1 Limitless Crossover Debut
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The launch video and the press conference.
View the original article post
Benito
I know that this is a concept and that it won't get to production looking like this, but I love the design overall, but the front end lights don't work for me. Everything else I love.
L
What a bold design? This concept look better than my friend's Infiniti Qx70. Lexus really stepped their game.
James
Looks great!! If it was designed with production in mind why will it take 3 years...love the look but they need to put a big engine in it!
maiaramdan
James
Looks great!! If it was designed with production in mind why will it take 3 years...love the look but they need to put a big engine in it!
That's exactly what I was thinking about from the moment I read this sentence
Lexus Cohen
Should be available by 2024.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 15, 2018
The attention to detail and the sophistication of fit/finish is truly flagship evocative. If my instinct serves, "experience amazing" will be to see it in real life.
Ian Schmidt
I think between the production-ready half of the clay model (nice catch there, @White Beach!) and their repeated invocations of the LF-LC that this is closer to production than they want to let on. Possibly late 2019/early 2020?
mikeavelli
Gecko
Maybe it's the color, but I feel like this is what the Infiniti FX/QX70 should have turned into. That's not a rip on Lexus by any stretch - they took the idea an are running with it, but Infiniti really lost their way.
Wow it threw my back to the "bionic cheetah" a bit too based on color.... though this is a full class or two higher from what Lexus is saying.
S
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
mikeavelli
supra93
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
Every time I look in the garage its overkill lol...but yea this is really out there..
krew
krew

Photo Gallery: The Lexus LF-1 Limitless Crossover Concept
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64 photos in total.
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Andyl
Truly amazing concept vehicle from Lexus. Looks great and futuristic.
R
The proportions are classic and certainly a first for a crossover - a long hood cab back styling ending with a sloping rear.
Gecko
supra93
The front is a little over kill IMO. Everything else looks good tho.
This is how I feel as well. Since 2005, we've seen many iterations and evolutions of L-Finesse and overall, I am happy with Lexus' progress. I think that the LC and LS are proof that the company is now hitting it's stride and the best is ahead of us.

One area for improvement IMO remains the front end - not the spindle itself, but the overall integration of grill, bumpers, headlights and sheetmetal. The LC is the only one that really nails it for me: it's clean, simple and beautifully matches the rest of the car (which is also clean, aggressive, elegant and futuristic). The LS is 80% of the way there for me... it's strange how the main grill has the 3D mesh, but the two side air inlets on either side just have horizontal slats. It doesn't match. In addition, on either side of the indentation point on the grill, there are unnecessary body lines that should have been just smoothed into the grill surround, like the LF-FC. What I really like about the LF-FC is how simple but aggressive and elegant the front end was... production LS is just not "there."

Looking at the LF-1, I see another instance where the overall design is clean, organic, elegant and futuristic, but the front end looks designed for a different vehicle entirely. I know it's just a concept and every OEM takes design cues to the extreme on concept vehicles, but I really hope Lexus has a fitting front end in the works for when the LF-1 hits production.
krew
krew

Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of the Lexus LF-1 Limitless Concept
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A visit to the Calty design studio in California.
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Gecko
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Production(ish) on the left, concept on the right?
S
  • S
    senar
  • January 16, 2018
If true, it looks like the production headlights and grill will be similar to current spindle grill designs. The hood crease also looks less aggressive (more sloped) and I'm guessing the black two tone line will be gone. Overall, I like the exterior design and hopes it reaches production quickly as a 2020 or 2021 model. I'm certainly ready to buy.

Things on my wish list are side view and rear view cameras. It would be nice if they kept the side view cameras/screens in addition to traditional mirrors for regulatory purposes. After trying out Honda's LaneWatch camera system, I much prefer the wide angle view (encompassing blind spot) that a camera can provide versus a traditional side mirror. Having a combo rear-view mirror/camera like Cadillac is also something I desperately wish Lexus would copy, especially in a big SUV with reduced rear visibility.

On the powertrain side, a hybrid with solid state batteries (if ready) and somewhere along the lines of 40+ mpg combined would be my wish. I would actually prefer a PHEV or BEV, but I doubt Lexus will have something ready within the next few years. The multi-stage hybrid system in the LS/LC sounds like an advancement in driving dynamics, but mpg in the 20s is still a bit low for my tastes.
Gecko
renyeo
Lexus needs to catch up with or surpass Mercedes-Benz in cabin quality - it’s a pity the Japanese luxury brand is ill-afford to introduce more expensive trimmings onto its cars.
Curious how you qualify this? I will give you that C, GLC and E are nicer inside than IS, NX and GS, but RX is nicer than GLE and the LX is worlds above the GLS. LC is incredible and has been universally lauded, and I don't know if Mercedes has a model to match it. I haven't been inside the LS 500 yet, but it looks to be just as nice as the S Class if not a bit nicer (I do not like the design of the S Class cockpit, but have found the materials to be very nice). Mercedes lineup is overall newer than Lexus' but I think Lexus' recent efforts are on-par or better than Mercedes.
T
I know this is a lexus lover's website, and I too love lexus...but that thing is horrendous. I thought i'd save my first post to when I finally get my hands on a IS 300 f sport...but that thing burns my eyes...the interior is nice though.
mikeavelli
Posting a rendering of a modified one shortly with VIP Auto Salon... I wasn't head over heels but with some touches what a gorgous design....

I have more issues with the Avalon grill than this one. I assume being a concept they really went overboard with it.....What I do like is they are sticking with the spindle grill which is a fantastic trademark front end for Lexus. Even if one hates it, the vehicles are recognizable as a Lexus.
L
mikeavelli
Posting a rendering of a modified one shortly with VIP Auto Salon... I wasn't head over heels but with some touches what a gorgous design....

I have more issues with the Avalon grill than this one. I assume being a concept they really went overboard with it.....What I do like is they are sticking with the spindle grill which is a fantastic trademark front end for Lexus. Even if one hates it, the vehicles are recognizable as a Lexus.
Sometimes I miss the understated side of previous Lexus. Now every car has a recognizable front, yet they all have the same huge gap.
S
  • S
    senar
  • January 17, 2018
mikeavelli
Posting a rendering of a modified one shortly with VIP Auto Salon... I wasn't head over heels but with some touches what a gorgous design....

I have more issues with the Avalon grill than this one. I assume being a concept they really went overboard with it.....What I do like is they are sticking with the spindle grill which is a fantastic trademark front end for Lexus. Even if one hates it, the vehicles are recognizable as a Lexus.
I hope the production model retains the more classic LS/LC grill. The concept grill reminds me a bit of the LF-SA grill, which I don't care for as much. I agree, the Avalon grill looks totally out of place on that car though.
mikeavelli
Levi
I think I am starting to miss the understated luxury apsect of previous Lexus. Now every car has a recognizable front, all have the same gaping hole, be it Audi, Mercedes, Hyundai, or whatever I can think of, be it a luxury brand or mainstream brand. Even BMW is now getting a huge kidney grill.

#smallgrill
Recently what opened my eyes was having my son and influencing him into cars. He is 3 years old. In the past few months he has stunned me naming vehicles I never taught him. The other day a basic BMW X5 in silver drives by and he says "its a BMW". The only X5 I might have ever showed him was a X5 M briefly. It showed me the power of design cues. The badge is too small to see at this point so even at 3, he has figured out what brand is what brand just by seeing similar design cues. This will last most of his life. Ironically we can relate this to most adults because most of the buying public cannot tell cars apart and if they can tell them apart they don't know the brand without seeing a badge.

The 2001 or so MMC was a great update to the ES..sadly though I remember how the #1 thing detractors would say is "looks just like a Camry". And not to instigate but this was happening at the time...



Now obviously the new Camry has a big grill like a Lexus but its less confusing and the two don't look nearly as similar.
krew
Even more than the way the LF-1 looks, I feel that the concept is perfectly Lexus.

I know that the timing is off -- the LF-1 should probably already be in the lineup as a production model. And yet, this is exactly how the NX played out. Remember how long we waited to even see the LF-NX concept? I was writing about Lexus making a RAV4 subcompact crossover ten years ago.
mikeavelli
krew
Even more than the way the LF-1 looks, I feel that the concept is perfectly Lexus.

I know that the timing is off -- the LF-1 should probably already be in the lineup as a production model. And yet, this is exactly how the NX played out. Remember how long we waited to even see the LF-NX concept? I was writing about Lexus making a RAV4 subcompact crossover ten years ago.
Crazy to think now the X1 and X2 slot below the X3 now. So much has changed in ten years!

I do think this LF-1 is a bit ahead for a change. There really isn't a true flagship coupe SUV. I assume the Q8 will beat this out to production. The other Germans are mid class based. The Cayenne wouldn't be a true competitor as its roomier.
S
  • S
    senar
  • January 17, 2018
krew
Even more than the way the LF-1 looks, I feel that the concept is perfectly Lexus.

I know that the timing is off -- the LF-1 should probably already be in the lineup as a production model. And yet, this is exactly how the NX played out. Remember how long we waited to even see the LF-NX concept? I was writing about Lexus making a RAV4 subcompact crossover ten years ago.
It seems the LF-NX concept was unveiled in September 2013 and went into production August 2014 so there's still a glimmer of hope the LF-1 will be released next year as a 2020 model. The demand will certainly be there like the NX.
S
  • S
    senar
  • January 17, 2018
mikeavelli
Crazy to think now the X1 and X2 slot below the X3 now. So much has changed in ten years!

I do think this LF-1 is a bit ahead for a change. There really isn't a true flagship coupe SUV. I assume the Q8 will beat this out to production. The other Germans are mid class based. The Cayenne wouldn't be a true competitor as its roomier.
I'm also glad they decided not to give the LF-1 a sloping coupe SUV roofline like the GLE or X6.

Do you mean the Cayenne is roomier or the LF-1? I see the 2018 Cayenne dimensions as 191.1" L x 78.7" W x 67.4" H + 114" wheelbase while the LF-1 is 197.4" L x 78.2" W x 63.2" H + 117.1" wheelbase. The LF-1 is longer, but not as tall so interior room may be close.
mikeavelli
senar
It seems the LF-NX concept was unveiled in September 2013 and went into production August 2014 so there's still a glimmer of hope the LF-1 will be released next year as a 2020 model. The demand will certainly be there like the NX.



I'm also glad they decided not to give the LF-1 a sloping coupe SUV roofline like the GLE or X6.

Do you mean the Cayenne is roomier or the LF-1? I see the 2018 Cayenne dimensions as 191.1" L x 78.7" W x 67.4" H + 114" wheelbase while the LF-1 is 197.4" L x 78.2" W x 63.2" H + 117.1" wheelbase. The LF-1 is longer, but not as tall so interior room may be close.
Looking at interior packaging (mind you it is a concept) the LF-1 seems to be more coupe like whereas the Cayenne is more of a traditional upright SUV.

Thanks for listing the dimension comparison.
M
Hi Guys,

Wild theory, not sure if speculated on before, but I think this car will be the next generation LX.

The new LS and LC are grounds up pure Lexus cars, while the current LX is a redone Toyota Land Cruiser. The LF-1 if it becomes the next gen LX will then be the pure flagship Lexus crossover.

As for the utilitarian/hauling/dune bashing aspect and capabilities of the current LX, well, not many other CUV's do that right now either as a full time responsibility. So losing those capabilities in the new LX might not be something that disappoints the current and future owners that much.

M