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
mikeavelli
I wish the press pics showed the panoramic roof... Lovely photos though...

[​IMG]

The way they integrated the air vents is uncanny......absolutely magnificent detailing...

[​IMG]
This was the first detail I found from the interior of the new LS. To me, it shows the craftsmanship and attention to details are much better than the current Mercedes S-Class, despite S-class is already quite polished. The way the vents are integrated with the trim is a strength commonly found in Japanese products.
L
Most likely,we'll see the hybrid in Geneva in March.
Andyl
This was the first detail I found from the interior of the new LS. To me, it shows the craftsmanship and attention to details are much better than the current Mercedes S-Class, despite S-class is already quite polished. The way the vents are integrated with the trim is a strength commonly found in Japanese products.
Yes, comparatively the VAG execution is quite crude and outdated, as seen here in the "luxurious" Audi Q7.

B
  • B
  • January 10, 2017
Why is it called the LS500? What does the 500 resemble?
Bryan
Why is it called the LS500? What does the 500 resemble?
It's quite obviously an adoption of the NA-equivalent naming system first seen on the GS450h and then widely used by the Germans in the turbo era. It's an easy way to denote the order of the relative positioning of a model in the lineup without having to get nitty gritty about what's really under the hood.
Love the car, the way it should have been built. The chassis screams for more power, it's as if Lexus built a Race Car Chassis with Limo interior. I love the Low, Wide, Low CG, 200lbs lighter (yet bigger), updated suspension with active stabilizers on it. I bet it will handle well with aftermarket wheels that fill the entire wheel well in width.
Waiting for more specs, especially engine and for the LS500h.

In the specs, they mention both RWD and AWD, so a guess AWD will be optional. Interesting to know is if the AWD version will also have AWS? If yes, that is the configuration to get.

And what about the LS500h? Would V6TT with Hybrid be overkill? That is what the S Class has and the A8 e-Tron will get.

For all the V8 fans out there (me including), I doubt we'll see a new V8TT engine, unless the LS F and LC F are really coming, or Lexus will build another supercar. I expect a different V6TT version/tuning for the Supra (probably same for next IS F) and Land Cruiser to replace the GR family.

On the other hand, but we have to face the truth, soon high-performance ICEs will be no match against HP BEVs.
E
  • E
  • January 11, 2017
The weird treatment of the front fenders makes it resemble an old Mazda 6, weak and cheap. Not a worthy design for an LS.
Elegy
The weird treatment of the front fenders makes it resemble an old Mazda 6, weak and cheap. Not a worthy design for an LS.


Your Mazda resembles the very muscular and high-end beautiful Mercedes S Class (W221). I just think your Mazda is weak and cheap, pretending to be something it is not worth.
krew [​IMG]

The flagship sedan was selected for Interior Design Excellence.
View the original article post
E
  • E
  • January 11, 2017
Levi
your Mazda
"your Mazda", LOL. Th new LS looks like a cheap and weak Mazda 6. Fanboys wont see it of course, but it is in fact the impression that the design gives out. I like the look of it from the front though. But unfortunately they made it look FWD instead of RWD, which adds to the weak look of this new LS.
ydooby
It's clearly a mix-up. Here's the same area in the regular LS (curiously, with a spacer on the right of the rightmost of the 4 buttons, unlike the LS hybrid, which has no such spacer on the right despite the same number of buttons):

Thanks in advance for asking about it though.
After asking all I will say is "good eye" :)
Am I the only one tripin out over the light graphic on the passenger side of the dash? What is that?? How did they do that?? is it a screen? an illusion? WTF!!?? Its something we've seen in many concepts and its blowing my mind right now![​IMG]
I assume there's some as-yet unannounced passenger-side infotainment system. Can anyone at NAIAS fill anything in on that?
H
It's really lost a lot of class compared to previous LS series cars. So many useless style lines on the grill, body and especially the dash. It looks a bit cheap. I guess Lexus designers want youth appeal (as if the IS products weren't enough). BMW tried this a while ago and alienated customers. Remember the BMW 7-Series sedan with the trunk they called the "Bangle Butt" after the designer? They had to smooth out the creases and corners to get 7 series buyers back. Maybe "LS" now stands for "Line Style"
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 11, 2017
Welcome to the community Elegy!
And a community we are ... of which I am proud ... for the way we freely and respectfully share our opinions ... and often implicitly agree to disagree :)
C
[​IMG]




I like most of the photos. But for me, the photo of the undercarriage is a work of art and brings back memories of advertisements of the original LS.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 11, 2017
Welcome to the community HardTop430!
carnut
I like most of the photos. But for me, the photo of the undercarriage is a work of art and brings back memories of advertisements of the original LS.
I missed that one! I'd actually like a poster of it, it's true mechanical art.
E
  • E
  • January 11, 2017
RAL
the community
"Community"?! It's just another forum. I know some of you just worship Lexus no matter what, but that's not what makes a genuine discussion forum.
C
Ian Schmidt
I missed that one! I'd actually like a poster of it, it's true mechanical art.
I printed it on photo paper and came out quite well. A poster would be great.

And the 1989 original photo.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 11, 2017
Elegy
"Community"?! It's just another forum. I know some of you just worship Lexus no matter what, but that's not what makes a genuine discussion forum.
Yes, we like to think of this forum as a community, regardless of our loyalty to Lexus or lack thereof. Members often comment how they appreciate the civility on this site as opposed to the combativeness on others. This is a safe place where opinions are accepted and respected ... and all are welcome. It is my job to protect these attributes!

Candor is necessary for a good forum, but rudeness is not. Consider this a warning.
I recently see this. In CR news about LS500, it is showing 2 cameras at the rear plate of the car. Is this something related with new Advanced Lexus Safety System +? My ES only has 1 camera at the back for rear viewing... Take a look at the 37th second in the video.
B
It's been a couple of days and I feel no better about being swerved by Lexus on the concept. The concept shouldn't have been sent out if it had nothing to do with the production car. This car looks weak and lacks every ounce of presence the LF-FC had. The car is two cylinders short and the interior graphics on the dash look like a nightmare compared to the incredible infotainment Mercedes brought to mark. A huge disappointment that will reflect in sales after 2018. It's sales will sink like a stone, and Mercedes execs are smiling from ear-to-ear right now.

It's almost as if some bean-counter did an analysis on the clearer better design last year and said "We can't afford to make it look THIS good!" and Lexus went to Plan B, which is weak sauce, in comparison. This car looks like a rough draft of the next LS, and they picked it back up off the cutting room floor a few months ago.

What a shame, the fact that Lexus showed last year they COULD be better than this, but chose not to be. Last year, I was getting Filet Mignon. This year, Filet-O-Fish? Bait-and-switch. Not cool.
BD
L
lets say opinions were...different on germancarforum, i mean it's split opinions on exterior here too but on GCF there was clear what the majority thought

SteVVT-i
Am I the only one tripin out over the light graphic on the passenger side of the dash? What is that?? How did they do that?? is it a screen? an illusion? WTF!!?? Its something we've seen in many concepts and its blowing my mind right now![​IMG]
i must say i quite like how the lines in the vents are a part of the full design and i also like the bit underneath the vents and doorpanels, simplistic and nice looking
L
lets say opinions were...different on germancarforum, i mean it's split opinions on exterior here too but on GCF there was clear what the majority thought

SteVVT-i
Am I the only one tripin out over the light graphic on the passenger side of the dash? What is that?? How did they do that?? is it a screen? an illusion? WTF!!?? Its something we've seen in many concepts and its blowing my mind right now![​IMG]
i must say i quite like how the lines in the vents are a part of the full design and i also like the bit underneath the vents and doorpanels, simplistic and nice looking
SteVVT-i
Am I the only one tripin out over the light graphic on the passenger side of the dash? What is that?? How did they do that?? is it a screen? an illusion? WTF!!?? Its something we've seen in many concepts and its blowing my mind right now!
It's illuminated static image, not a display. Kind of a same thing as in LC on the passenger side.
SteVVT-i
Am I the only one tripin out over the light graphic on the passenger side of the dash? What is that?? How did they do that?? is it a screen? an illusion? WTF!!?? Its something we've seen in many concepts and its blowing my mind right now!
It's illuminated static image, not a display. Kind of a same thing as in LC on the passenger side.
lafars
lets say opinions were...different on germancarforum, i mean it's split opinions on exterior here too but on GCF there was clear what the majority thought



i must say i quite like how the lines in the vents are a part of the full design and i also like the bit underneath the vents and doorpanels, simplistic and nice looking
There are some rational thinkers on all forums, but the majority of what is happening on the forum you mentioned is circlejerking (should be called GermanCarCirclejerk), and thus totally worthless.


The new LS500 is not perfect, maybe far from perfect, but the same goes for all the others (not an excuse). Don't forget cars are commercial, so they will never be perfect trying to appeal to a majority, and niche brands are only perfect for a minority. Want a perfect car? Have to build it. Can't build it? Have to deal with what is available, and for me it is TMC.

Black Dynamite
It's been a couple of days and I feel no better about being swerved by Lexus on the concept. The concept shouldn't have been sent out if it had nothing to do with the production car. This car looks weak and lacks every ounce of presence the LF-FC had. The car is two cylinders short and the interior graphics on the dash look like a nightmare compared to the incredible infotainment Mercedes brought to mark. A huge disappointment that will reflect in sales after 2018. It's sales will sink like a stone, and Mercedes execs are smiling from ear-to-ear right now.

It's almost as if some bean-counter did an analysis on the clearer better design last year and said "We can't afford to make it look THIS good!" and Lexus went to Plan B, which is weak sauce, in comparison. This car looks like a rough draft of the next LS, and they picked it back up off the cutting room floor a few months ago.

What a shame, the fact that Lexus showed last year they COULD be better than this, but chose not to be. Last year, I was getting Filet Mignon. This year, Filet-O-Fish? Bait-and-switch. Not cool.
BD
Have to hope the new LX will be better.
lafars
lets say opinions were...different on germancarforum, i mean it's split opinions on exterior here too but on GCF there was clear what the majority thought



i must say i quite like how the lines in the vents are a part of the full design and i also like the bit underneath the vents and doorpanels, simplistic and nice looking
There are some rational thinkers on all forums, but the majority of what is happening on the forum you mentioned is circlejerking (should be called GermanCarCirclejerk), and thus totally worthless.


The new LS500 is not perfect, maybe far from perfect, but the same goes for all the others (not an excuse). Don't forget cars are commercial, so they will never be perfect trying to appeal to a majority, and niche brands are only perfect for a minority. Want a perfect car? Have to build it. Can't build it? Have to deal with what is available, and for me it is TMC.

Black Dynamite
It's been a couple of days and I feel no better about being swerved by Lexus on the concept. The concept shouldn't have been sent out if it had nothing to do with the production car. This car looks weak and lacks every ounce of presence the LF-FC had. The car is two cylinders short and the interior graphics on the dash look like a nightmare compared to the incredible infotainment Mercedes brought to mark. A huge disappointment that will reflect in sales after 2018. It's sales will sink like a stone, and Mercedes execs are smiling from ear-to-ear right now.

It's almost as if some bean-counter did an analysis on the clearer better design last year and said "We can't afford to make it look THIS good!" and Lexus went to Plan B, which is weak sauce, in comparison. This car looks like a rough draft of the next LS, and they picked it back up off the cutting room floor a few months ago.

What a shame, the fact that Lexus showed last year they COULD be better than this, but chose not to be. Last year, I was getting Filet Mignon. This year, Filet-O-Fish? Bait-and-switch. Not cool.
BD
Have to hope the new LX will be better.

L