Lexus to Unveil Stunning Sport Coupe Concept at Tokyo Motor Show; Retractable Aluminum Hardtop Transforms 2+2 Coupe Into Convertible
13 October 1999
Lexus to Unveil Stunning Sport Coupe Concept at Tokyo Motor Show; Retractable Aluminum Hardtop Transforms 2+2 Coupe Into Convertible
TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 13 -- Lexus, celebrating its tenth
year as a luxury segment innovator, will introduce a stunning concept for a
new type of high-performance grand touring car -- a car attuned to the senses
as well as the intellect. Scheduled to be unveiled at the Tokyo International
Motor Show, the Lexus Sport Coupe concept explores new directions for the
brand's future of design, performance, luxury and technology.
At the touch of a button, a retractable aluminum hardtop transforms the
Lexus Sport Coupe concept from a 2+2 coupe into a convertible in about
20 seconds. An advanced climate control system optimizes occupant comfort all
year long, top up or down. The Lexus tradition of blending true luxury with
high performance driving pleasure comes through with a powerful V8 engine,
five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel double-wishbone suspension and
18-inch wheels.
"Quality with Purity and Elegance"
Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create the Sport
Coupe concept. The car's sleek lines came from the company's European Office
of Creation (EPOC). Sotiris Kovos, the chief exterior designer, sought design
inspiration in a location renowned for high-end luxury -- the French Riviera.
Kovos spent several weeks there observing the people and events to gain
insight into truly luxurious lifestyles.
"I noticed how many aspects of the lifestyles I encountered -- the
products and services used -- are marked by a high degree of simplicity and
sophistication," Kovos says.
Among the sights along the Riviera that inspired Kovos were the many
high-performance luxury boats plying the coastal waters. "I think the lines
that define the character of the Lexus Sport Coupe are reminiscent of a luxury
yacht. It has a natural, sculpted beauty and richness about it," Kovos says.
"This is certainly an emotional design," he continues. "Quality with purity
and elegance is what this car is all about, and we have incorporated all of
these elements into the styling."
A long wheelbase and short overhangs give the Lexus Sport Coupe concept a
muscular stance, highlighted by the 18-inch wheels. The forward-positioned
roof combines with prominent front hood styling and pronounced wheel arches to
convey a powerful sense of forward motion. Uncluttered sides render a
classically elegant look. The lights, too, contribute to the luxurious yet
sporty attitude.
A Roof for All Seasons
The Lexus Sport Coupe concept shares an essential trait with the luxury
yachts that helped inspire it -- all-season pleasure. Passengers on a luxury
yacht can enjoy sunbathing in fair weather, while finding security and comfort
inside during foul weather. The retractable aluminum hardtop provides similar
versatility in the Lexus Sport Coupe concept. Pressing one button lowers or
raises the roof in around 20 seconds. The roof folds in multiple steps
simultaneously for quick, smooth operation. The 2+2 layout offers room in the
back seats for small children or extra cargo.
Breaking the Mold by Avoiding Molds
In Japan, the chief designer for the interior, Satoru Kuno, accepted the
challenge to match the purpose and elegance of the exterior lines with an
equally exciting interior. Kuno and his team refrained from using high-tech
plastic-forming techniques that would have allowed them to literally mold
their visions into reality. Instead, the design team chose to emphasize the
natural beauty of leather and wood.
"By working in harmony with all the natural constraints on how these
materials can be manipulated, we strove to create a new value from them while
preserving their natural pleasure and comfort-inducing qualities," Kuno
explains. He describes the results as "a clean-cut feeling of luxury."
While old-world craftsmanship defines the interior surfaces, the Lexus
Sport Coupe concept integrates the modern luxury amenities that have made the
brand a benchmark in the luxury category. The driver faces three independent,
easy-to-read analog gauges, and the instrument panel angle helps to provide a
spacious-feeling interior. A seven-inch wide screen in the center console
displays functions for the navigation system.
The leather seats feature firm support for high-performance driving, while
providing long-distance touring comfort. A memory function preserves seat
positions for the driver and passenger.
Climate Control that Could Be Called "Season Control"
In the Lexus Sport Coupe concept, "all-season" versatility means more than
the security and comfort that the retractable aluminum hardtop provides. An
advanced climate control system allows this concept automobile to experience
more top-down driving time than conventional convertibles. The system adjusts
airflow and temperature automatically, differentiating between top up and top
down driving needs.
On hot days, the climate control system takes into account the exterior
temperature to ensure occupants stay cool when driving at slower speeds,
without overriding the cooling effect of the wind during top-down freeway
cruising. When driving in cooler weather with the top down, the system
targets the foot area, where it forms pockets of heat, and the lap area, which
immediately warms the upper legs.
An integrated "wind wrap" keeps the top-down interior draft free without
the need for add-on wind blockers or deflectors.
High-Performance Platform
Lexus created a purpose-built high-performance platform for the Sport
Coupe concept. By designing the car as a convertible from the start,
engineers optimized its structure to provide excellent rigidity whether the
retractable hardtop is raised or lowered. The structural solidity also
allowed Lexus to tune the suspension to deliver sportscar-sharp reflexes and
smooth ride compliance at the same time. In addition, the vehicle integrity
also contributes to a high level of passive safety.
The power and handling response of the Lexus Sport Coupe concept yield a
driving experience one might associate with a smaller two-seat roadster. An
aluminum, double overhead-cam V8 engine equipped with Variable Valve Timing
with intelligence (VVT-i) sends its muscle through a five-speed automatic
transmission. Front and rear double wishbone independent suspension attached
to the chassis minimizes vibrations and contributes to the smooth ride. The
suspension, coupled with 18-inch wheels with low-profile tires, leaves no
doubt that the Sport Coupe concept puts an emphasis on "sport."
A Personal Listening Room on Wheels
At its inception, Lexus introduced new standards for factory-installed
audio systems. To raise the ante for automotive audio again, Lexus worked
with home audio experts Mark Levinson to develop a new type of sound system
for the Sport Coupe concept. Nine strategically located speakers turn the
interior into a personal listening room that makes every seat in the car "the
best seat in the house." The steering wheel features controls for essential
functions of the system, and an electronic door -- similar to a home audio
cabinet -- hides the sound system controls.
From Question Mark to Benchmark in Ten Years
When Lexus emerged on the U.S. luxury car scene ten years ago, the big
question was whether the new division of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. could
compete against established German and American luxury brands. A decade
later, Lexus has evolved into a benchmark for quality, performance and value
among its peers. Customers agree, making Lexus the No. 1-selling luxury
nameplate in the United States through the first nine months of the year.