Interview with Lexus LS Interior Designer Junko Itou


Design Milk has an insightful interview with Lexus LS interior designer Junko Itou on the need to balance tradition with innovation inside the flagship sedan:

Design Milk: Is there any friction in the process of bridging tradition with the necessity of innovation?

Junko Itou: No. While I admit there is difficulty in simultaneously working between tradition and progress, I find the conflicting elements can ultimately create harmony. We believe that we are the brand who always overcomes these difficulties. It is Lexus. We believe the definition of luxury changes over time, and it is our mission to balance traditional and visionary luxury.

Design Milk: There seems to be a material narrative across every panel and surface inside your design – distinct yet coexisting harmoniously. What was the process in determining which materials to use and how to coordinate their coexistence without creating visual/tactile disharmony?

Junko Itou: We’ve been thinking how we can make things seem conflicting, yet compatible at a high level when choosing each material. Also, choosing materials in line with interior designer’s intention is paramount. To coordinate the coexistence of several materials, we began by formulating three concepts: Superior, Emotional, and Timeless.

Based on each of those themes, we selected color, material and finish as our focus. As the idea of the LS interior world became clear, we were able to coordinate the appropriate color, material and finish, even if it seemed difficult. Additionally, Takumi craftsmanship was necessary to complete it.

Lexus LS: Fourth Generation
Comments
James
So Lexus what's next??? New IS? GS? RXL? What do we have to look forward too?! I know we have the LS500h in Geneva but let's move past LS for just a sec where does Lexus go next? 2017 will be a great year!
I'm most looking forward to the next GS because it will grow in size and will be more luxurious because the new LS has also gotten bigger and better
James
So Lexus what's next??? New IS? GS? RXL? What do we have to look forward too?! I know we have the LS500h in Geneva but let's move past LS for just a sec where does Lexus go next? 2017 will be a great year!
I'm most looking forward to the next GS because it will grow in size and will be more luxurious because the new LS has also gotten bigger and better
No question, the LF-FC is a stunning design, looking way better than the production version, in my opinion.
Even more, it has very unique side profile, so no references to Panamera or Model would apply, while offering way more headroom than the production model.
Lexus should really do the concept design first and then design the production vehicle as was the case with the LC.
Too bad it will take about 5 years in between.
No question, the LF-FC is a stunning design, looking way better than the production version, in my opinion.
Even more, it has very unique side profile, so no references to Panamera or Model would apply, while offering way more headroom than the production model.
Lexus should really do the concept design first and then design the production vehicle as was the case with the LC.
Too bad it will take about 5 years in between.
Meanwhile, out in the world of the vast majority of customers, they never saw the LF-FC (or if they did, they don't remember it). They just see that Lexus has again gone daring with the styling of the LS while the Germans continue to put the "box" in "3-box sedan".
Meanwhile, out in the world of the vast majority of customers, they never saw the LF-FC (or if they did, they don't remember it). They just see that Lexus has again gone daring with the styling of the LS while the Germans continue to put the "box" in "3-box sedan".
Ian Schmidt
Meanwhile, out in the world of the vast majority of customers, they never saw the LF-FC (or if they did, they don't remember it). They just see that Lexus has again gone daring with the styling of the LS while the Germans continue to put the "box" in "3-box sedan".

Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with 3-box (or two-box) styling. It gave us two things that are often sorely missing today.....First, good rear seat headroom and entry/exit ease, and, Second, good visibility out the rear windows. Both tend to be rare on today's sedans (and even on a number of SUVs).
Ian Schmidt
Meanwhile, out in the world of the vast majority of customers, they never saw the LF-FC (or if they did, they don't remember it). They just see that Lexus has again gone daring with the styling of the LS while the Germans continue to put the "box" in "3-box sedan".

Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with 3-box (or two-box) styling. It gave us two things that are often sorely missing today.....First, good rear seat headroom and entry/exit ease, and, Second, good visibility out the rear windows. Both tend to be rare on today's sedans (and even on a number of SUVs).
mmcartalk
Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with 3-box (or two-box) styling. It gave us two things that are often sorely missing today.....First, good rear seat headroom and entry/exit ease, and, Second, good visibility out the rear windows. Both tend to be rare on today's sedans (and even on a number of SUVs).
Yeah there is no right way...it works for Porsche, Tesla and it will for the new LS. It works for the Germans and the old LS.

LS F is what I'm salivating about :)
mmcartalk
Frankly, I don't see anything wrong with 3-box (or two-box) styling. It gave us two things that are often sorely missing today.....First, good rear seat headroom and entry/exit ease, and, Second, good visibility out the rear windows. Both tend to be rare on today's sedans (and even on a number of SUVs).
Yeah there is no right way...it works for Porsche, Tesla and it will for the new LS. It works for the Germans and the old LS.

LS F is what I'm salivating about :)
James
So Lexus what's next??? New IS? GS? RXL? What do we have to look forward too?! I know we have the LS500h in Geneva but let's move past LS for just a sec where does Lexus go next? 2017 will be a great year!
I am mostly looking forward to LX and GX (Land Cruiser).
James
So Lexus what's next??? New IS? GS? RXL? What do we have to look forward too?! I know we have the LS500h in Geneva but let's move past LS for just a sec where does Lexus go next? 2017 will be a great year!
I am mostly looking forward to LX and GX (Land Cruiser).
mikeavelli
LS F is what I'm salivating about :)

You mean a full-F version, right? If my memory is right (and correct me if I'm wrong), you either once had (or still have) an LS F-Sport.
mikeavelli
LS F is what I'm salivating about :)

You mean a full-F version, right? If my memory is right (and correct me if I'm wrong), you either once had (or still have) an LS F-Sport.
mmcartalk
You mean a full-F version, right? If my memory is right (and correct me if I'm wrong), you either once had (or still have) an LS F-Sport.
Yes a full blown LS F.......
mmcartalk
You mean a full-F version, right? If my memory is right (and correct me if I'm wrong), you either once had (or still have) an LS F-Sport.
Yes a full blown LS F.......
So...how likely is it that Lexus will show off a 4-seat variant of the LS500 at Geneva with a proper big central unit with tables etc?

Is it just me who feels the middle seat being folded down to provide this seems a little cheap? I know the current LS you can spec with either this 5-seat variant and then the 4-seat variant with the impressive big centre console unit...but that also came with the reclining seats and longwheelbase which the LS already is.

This leads me to think there will no longer be a 4-seat variant of the car which is a shame, I know this may seems strange and splitting hairs but I feel opening the door to a car with the big chunky centre console in the rear with fold out tables etc. is far more impressive than the seat folded down...even worse the head rest is attached so it hangs down and just looks silly/cheap.

Here's hoping...



So...how likely is it that Lexus will show off a 4-seat variant of the LS500 at Geneva with a proper big central unit with tables etc?

Is it just me who feels the middle seat being folded down to provide this seems a little cheap? I know the current LS you can spec with either this 5-seat variant and then the 4-seat variant with the impressive big centre console unit...but that also came with the reclining seats and longwheelbase which the LS already is.

This leads me to think there will no longer be a 4-seat variant of the car which is a shame, I know this may seems strange and splitting hairs but I feel opening the door to a car with the big chunky centre console in the rear with fold out tables etc. is far more impressive than the seat folded down...even worse the head rest is attached so it hangs down and just looks silly/cheap.

Here's hoping...



Rydo
.even worse the head rest is attached so it hangs down and just looks silly/cheap.
Well, same "cheap" headrest hanging down from segment leader, LWB S Class W222.



And the LWB 7 Series G01 with 2 individual reclining seats and 3rd middle seat (not optional 2 seat with center console running through) does not look "expensive" without hanging middle headrest.



You think the "expensive" Ghost (re-badged BMW) does a good job? Those are not even seats, it is a bench.



I think the most important thing is that Lexus proposes optional 4 seats, like they did with the previous one. Nothing much can be done to 3 rear seats.
Rydo
.even worse the head rest is attached so it hangs down and just looks silly/cheap.
Well, same "cheap" headrest hanging down from segment leader, LWB S Class W222.



And the LWB 7 Series G01 with 2 individual reclining seats and 3rd middle seat (not optional 2 seat with center console running through) does not look "expensive" without hanging middle headrest.



You think the "expensive" Ghost (re-badged BMW) does a good job? Those are not even seats, it is a bench.



I think the most important thing is that Lexus proposes optional 4 seats, like they did with the previous one. Nothing much can be done to 3 rear seats.
krew [​IMG]

Advanced collision avoidance, a massive heads up display, and updated blind-spot detection.
View the original article post
krew [​IMG]

Advanced collision avoidance, a massive heads up display, and updated blind-spot detection.
View the original article post
Sounds like a lot of individual preferences to me. Manufactures will never make everyone happy. IJS. Too Expensive :)
Sounds like a lot of individual preferences to me. Manufactures will never make everyone happy. IJS. Too Expensive :)
krew
krew [​IMG]


View the original article post
Can someone explain what is new and updated on the blind spot monitor please??
krew
krew [​IMG]


View the original article post
Can someone explain what is new and updated on the blind spot monitor please??
Spunky D
Can someone explain what is new and updated on the blind spot monitor please??
Sounds like the major addition is that of cross-traffic alert while moving forward as well as when backing up.......for example, so that you don't get T-Boned while driving through an intersection. As the article says, a new radar in front of the car scans out to the sides in the same manner what the one in the rear does while backing up.
Spunky D
Can someone explain what is new and updated on the blind spot monitor please??
Sounds like the major addition is that of cross-traffic alert while moving forward as well as when backing up.......for example, so that you don't get T-Boned while driving through an intersection. As the article says, a new radar in front of the car scans out to the sides in the same manner what the one in the rear does while backing up.
mmcartalk
Sounds like the major addition is that of cross-traffic alert while moving forward as well as when backing up.......for example, so that you don't get T-Boned while driving through an intersection. As the article says, a new radar in front of the car scans out to the sides in the same manner what the one in the rear does while backing up.

Sorry to be pedantic,but rear and front cross traffic alerts are quite different from the blind spot monitor which is an aid whilst on the road ,not reversing out of car spaces.
mmcartalk
Sounds like the major addition is that of cross-traffic alert while moving forward as well as when backing up.......for example, so that you don't get T-Boned while driving through an intersection. As the article says, a new radar in front of the car scans out to the sides in the same manner what the one in the rear does while backing up.

Sorry to be pedantic,but rear and front cross traffic alerts are quite different from the blind spot monitor which is an aid whilst on the road ,not reversing out of car spaces.

S