Lexus LF-Xh Concept

My least favorite German car magazine Auto Motor Und Sport has scooped up some footage of the next-generation Lexus RX making its way around Nürburgring:

Can't say this was something I would have ever expected to see, an RX on the 'ring. One thing's for sure, I don't ever want to see an RX going that fast again. The whole time on the track, and all I was worried about were the kids in the back seat.

A set of mildly-camoflagued Lexus RX prototypes have been spotted at Nürburgring in Germany, and the design is looking to be a successful merger of the current model and the LF-Xh concept shown at last year's Tokyo Motor Show.

The most obvious element taken from the LF-Xh is the smoother, more flowing shape, looking lower and longer than the current model, let's et's compare and contrast:

I find the streamlining to be very attractive, eliminating my biggest complaint about the current RX's styling. I think the front-end needs some reworking though. While I'm relieved the Ford Edge style grille of the LF-Xh was dropped, the resulting nose is looking rather ordinary.

To see the full image set, check out Jalopnik's gallery.

During his visit to Toyota's Mega Web complex in Tokyo, Flickr user mujitra took some photos of a matte black Lexus LF-Xh concept (click for larger versions):

The matte black paint, especially when combined with that great set of gunmetal wheels, makes this LF-Xh looks very menacing. It's certainly an interesting way to display its next version of the people-mover RX, and one that I wholeheartedly approve of.

(I'm a huge fan of matte black, and judging from this, the 5Axis Project IS-F, and the LF-A racing prototype, I'd say Lexus is as well.)

As a way of extending their L-Finesse design language, Lexus has been taking part in the Milan Design Week since 2005. Always a collaboration with a unique comtemporary artist, the 2008 exhibit features work by Japanese design company nendo, and will be titled "Elastic Diamond".

Here's some details:

The 2008 Lexus exhibit, which has been conceived on a breathtakingly grand scale, will feature a dynamic installation exploring the perceptual contradictions of hard crystalline forms interacting with tactile and elastic materials.

The resulting fluid unity of lighting, movement and structure is designed to highlight the multi-faceted, yet seemingly contradictory elements, which distinguish Lexus L-finesse design.

The exhibition will also feature a molded model based on the Lexus LF-Xh Hybrid SUV concept car unveiled at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, as well as an art chair called “diamond chair” modeled by advanced technology and specially made for Lexus.

I understand that, in a way, Lexus is simply sponsoring a up-and-coming designer, but it just seems so gutsy to repeatedly connect L-Finesse to something much deeper than the shape of a vehicle.

(I particularly like the use of the word "contradictory" in describing L-Finesse.)

[Source: Lexus Japan]

Courtesy of my favorite Japanese Lexus blog, The Lexus Times, comes video from the Tokyo Motor Show debut of the LF-Xh:

I think all that remains is to remove the wheels and set this thing up with some sort of anti-gravity propulsion.

Doesn't this photo from the Lexus LF-Xh debut in Tokyo, taken by Flickr user elmar.carabanes, make the concept look like a UFO?

I'm really struck by how futuristic the frontend is, imagining it on a production model boggles my mind. I could almost picture it on a spaceship.