Interview with Lexus LS Interior Designer Junko Itou

Posted by Kevin on January 31st, 2018

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
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Comments
Gecko
maiaramdan
This is a camry
What?
Gecko
maiaramdan
This is a camry
What?
maiaramdan


Yes its so much camry
It maybe even the next ES or Avalon interior
LS is safe
Its the best interior in this category
maiaramdan


Yes its so much camry
It maybe even the next ES or Avalon interior
LS is safe
Its the best interior in this category
PeterF
I like it. nice curves. It looks cool!
PeterF
I like it. nice curves. It looks cool!
meth.ix
Looks overly tech-focused, doesn't have any beautiful curves that remind you that you are in a luxury sedan. It's only one leaked image, but from this picture, the LS and S-Class continue to have the best interiors in their class.
meth.ix
Looks overly tech-focused, doesn't have any beautiful curves that remind you that you are in a luxury sedan. It's only one leaked image, but from this picture, the LS and S-Class continue to have the best interiors in their class.
Ian Schmidt
The new Camry interior actually looks nicer than the Passat Grande, I mean A8.
Ian Schmidt
The new Camry interior actually looks nicer than the Passat Grande, I mean A8.
S
Ian Schmidt
The new Camry interior actually looks nicer than the Passat Grande, I mean A8.
i would not go that far, because you will notice higher quality materials at that price... but yeah, it looks nice and looks like it will feel nice too... a big, big departure from cheapo interios that Camry and Toyota in general always had (that started with Prius and got upped by C-HR).
S
Ian Schmidt
The new Camry interior actually looks nicer than the Passat Grande, I mean A8.
i would not go that far, because you will notice higher quality materials at that price... but yeah, it looks nice and looks like it will feel nice too... a big, big departure from cheapo interios that Camry and Toyota in general always had (that started with Prius and got upped by C-HR).
mikeavelli
New A8 debuts on the 16th I believe.....
mikeavelli
New A8 debuts on the 16th I believe.....
Ian Schmidt
mikeavelli
New A8 debuts on the 16th I believe.....
I'm not familiar with VAG practice; does the intro now mean it's a 2019, or might it actually show up this fall?
Ian Schmidt
mikeavelli
New A8 debuts on the 16th I believe.....
I'm not familiar with VAG practice; does the intro now mean it's a 2019, or might it actually show up this fall?
mikeavelli
Ian Schmidt
I'm not familiar with VAG practice; does the intro now mean it's a 2019, or might it actually show up this fall?
http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-a8-spider-man-premiere-2017-6

I think its just their own debut....car brands seem to moving away from relying on car shows to debut cars...

Seems there will be a really sick rear massage option including your feet lol
mikeavelli
Ian Schmidt
I'm not familiar with VAG practice; does the intro now mean it's a 2019, or might it actually show up this fall?
http://www.businessinsider.com/audi-a8-spider-man-premiere-2017-6

I think its just their own debut....car brands seem to moving away from relying on car shows to debut cars...

Seems there will be a really sick rear massage option including your feet lol
maiaramdan
Wow. Wow. Wow
After the release of the new Audi A8 I will say
Its a full winning mark to Lexus LS in comparison to the grand Passat
Interior Design
Exterior Design
dare to say even engines the 460hp in Audi came from turbo V8 4.0l
Now LS have 2 V6 engines TT & Hybrid and both out performing A8 V6 TDI & TFSI
the A8 are just topped in the A8 as LS ditches or still not have V8 TT & Hybrid
maiaramdan
Wow. Wow. Wow
After the release of the new Audi A8 I will say
Its a full winning mark to Lexus LS in comparison to the grand Passat
Interior Design
Exterior Design
dare to say even engines the 460hp in Audi came from turbo V8 4.0l
Now LS have 2 V6 engines TT & Hybrid and both out performing A8 V6 TDI & TFSI
the A8 are just topped in the A8 as LS ditches or still not have V8 TT & Hybrid
Rydo
Except the fact the A8 is available with a W12...just sayin'
Rydo
Except the fact the A8 is available with a W12...just sayin'
bogglo
maiaramdan
Wow. Wow. Wow
After the release of the new Audi A8 I will say
Its a full winning mark to Lexus LS in comparison to the grand Passat
Interior Design
Exterior Design
dare to say even engines the 460hp in Audi came from turbo V8 4.0l
Now LS have 2 V6 engines TT & Hybrid and both out performing A8 V6 TDI & TFSI
the A8 are just topped in the A8 as LS ditches or still not have V8 TT & Hybrid
Those are my taught exactly. Just like I said in another forum all I can say is the LS would still be unique. And with Mercedes, BMW, and Audi making a 6 cylinder version of their flagship sedan. I think it is safe to say Lexus would be pricing the new LS against them. The only thing I still notice is none of the German V6 is has powerful as the LS but they are close. Also, as we know the Germans engine are mostly underrated. with that been said, I have a feeling Lexus would not fumble on the TTV6 considering the fact that they want it to compete with the V8 variants of the competitors and if there is any plan of that engine trickling down to the performance versions of the IS, RC, and maybe the GS. Unless they have a surprise V8 lurking some where that won't be "LSF".(Personally I still think there would be a V8 LS. I suspect Lexus is playing a waiting game to see what the competitors have coming out).
bogglo
maiaramdan
Wow. Wow. Wow
After the release of the new Audi A8 I will say
Its a full winning mark to Lexus LS in comparison to the grand Passat
Interior Design
Exterior Design
dare to say even engines the 460hp in Audi came from turbo V8 4.0l
Now LS have 2 V6 engines TT & Hybrid and both out performing A8 V6 TDI & TFSI
the A8 are just topped in the A8 as LS ditches or still not have V8 TT & Hybrid
Those are my taught exactly. Just like I said in another forum all I can say is the LS would still be unique. And with Mercedes, BMW, and Audi making a 6 cylinder version of their flagship sedan. I think it is safe to say Lexus would be pricing the new LS against them. The only thing I still notice is none of the German V6 is has powerful as the LS but they are close. Also, as we know the Germans engine are mostly underrated. with that been said, I have a feeling Lexus would not fumble on the TTV6 considering the fact that they want it to compete with the V8 variants of the competitors and if there is any plan of that engine trickling down to the performance versions of the IS, RC, and maybe the GS. Unless they have a surprise V8 lurking some where that won't be "LSF".(Personally I still think there would be a V8 LS. I suspect Lexus is playing a waiting game to see what the competitors have coming out).
bogglo
Rydo
Except the fact the A8 is available with a W12...just sayin'
I still have a feeling that Lexus have something in store for the LS before it goes on sale. Just like no one was expecting the LS350 that was introduced in Japan. Am not expecting a V12 but I think there would be something to compete with the competitors 12 cylinders.
bogglo
Rydo
Except the fact the A8 is available with a W12...just sayin'
I still have a feeling that Lexus have something in store for the LS before it goes on sale. Just like no one was expecting the LS350 that was introduced in Japan. Am not expecting a V12 but I think there would be something to compete with the competitors 12 cylinders.
mikeavelli
https://lexusenthusiast.com/forums/...histication-with-sleek-style.3568/#post-26881

FYI, A8 discussion is there....
mikeavelli
https://lexusenthusiast.com/forums/...histication-with-sleek-style.3568/#post-26881

FYI, A8 discussion is there....
S
Rhambler
I don't think they can do a single turbo V6 without major changes versus what's in the LS500.

I say this based on the fact that the LS engine, at least from pictures that I've seen, has the turbos placed in traditional locations, near the manifold on each bank.

To replicate this with one turbo would mean ridiculous amounts of piping. The only way to really achieve a single turbo on a dual-banked engine is either with reverse-flow headers, like what is found in almost all German engines, or move the turbo to the front or back of the engine, a major change versus where they are in the LS.

This "hot V" configuration allows them to place one or two turbos above the engine, between the banks. Either a single twin scroll, two single scroll or two twin scrolls all work here. The headers are reversed and the piping is extremely short, eliminating lag, and importantly symmetrical from both manifolds be it one or two turbos, a feat that cannot be easily achieved with the traditional turbo placement low on the engine near the traditional manifold location. Two works there easily, but not one.
The "single turbo between the Vee" configuration is actually only used by Audi, not "all German engines". BMW uses inline-6, and Mercedes uses a traditional bi-turbo (soon to be replaced by inline-6). The problem with this configuration is that it requires a 90 degree bank angle; otherwise the turbo simply won't fit between the banks. A 90 degree V6 is too wide for transverse mounts, which is what a hypothetical "A30A-FTS" engine will end up in most of the time (ES, RX, Avalon, Sienna, Alphard, to name a few). Not to mention this single turbo V6 made by Audi is excessively over-engineered by Toyota's standards. Audi did it so it could expand this engine with other features such as twincharging or electric boost assist (like in Mercedes' latest I6). Also Audi can cut costs since V6s and V8s have a common vee angle and thus shared block production line. Lexus has neither concerns since it already has the more powerful A35A, and the cost of a separate "A30A" isn't a problem since Toyota has huge volume.

If TMC does build this "A30A", it will just be a really simple 3.0L bi-turbo that uses tiny economy turbos that can be found in any family car. Cheap, responsive, compact, get the job done. It will be good for 280-350hp, depending on fuel grade. Anything bigger will just use the A35A.
S
Rhambler
I don't think they can do a single turbo V6 without major changes versus what's in the LS500.

I say this based on the fact that the LS engine, at least from pictures that I've seen, has the turbos placed in traditional locations, near the manifold on each bank.

To replicate this with one turbo would mean ridiculous amounts of piping. The only way to really achieve a single turbo on a dual-banked engine is either with reverse-flow headers, like what is found in almost all German engines, or move the turbo to the front or back of the engine, a major change versus where they are in the LS.

This "hot V" configuration allows them to place one or two turbos above the engine, between the banks. Either a single twin scroll, two single scroll or two twin scrolls all work here. The headers are reversed and the piping is extremely short, eliminating lag, and importantly symmetrical from both manifolds be it one or two turbos, a feat that cannot be easily achieved with the traditional turbo placement low on the engine near the traditional manifold location. Two works there easily, but not one.
The "single turbo between the Vee" configuration is actually only used by Audi, not "all German engines". BMW uses inline-6, and Mercedes uses a traditional bi-turbo (soon to be replaced by inline-6). The problem with this configuration is that it requires a 90 degree bank angle; otherwise the turbo simply won't fit between the banks. A 90 degree V6 is too wide for transverse mounts, which is what a hypothetical "A30A-FTS" engine will end up in most of the time (ES, RX, Avalon, Sienna, Alphard, to name a few). Not to mention this single turbo V6 made by Audi is excessively over-engineered by Toyota's standards. Audi did it so it could expand this engine with other features such as twincharging or electric boost assist (like in Mercedes' latest I6). Also Audi can cut costs since V6s and V8s have a common vee angle and thus shared block production line. Lexus has neither concerns since it already has the more powerful A35A, and the cost of a separate "A30A" isn't a problem since Toyota has huge volume.

If TMC does build this "A30A", it will just be a really simple 3.0L bi-turbo that uses tiny economy turbos that can be found in any family car. Cheap, responsive, compact, get the job done. It will be good for 280-350hp, depending on fuel grade. Anything bigger will just use the A35A.

S