2014 Lexus IS

2014 Lexus IS was introduced at Detroit Auto Show about a week ago.
Lexus IS which was called Toyota Altezza in Japan was first planed as sporty RWD sedan for young people.

Since 80s, all the mid-range sedans shifted to FWD and in 90s, there was no young buyers in that class.

Even Honda Accord which was originally targeted to young people shifted to higher class and the average buyer were getting older and older.

That was how, Toyota tried to attract young buyer to 4 door sedan. That was the original idea of the Altezza…….but….

• It was too expensive for young people.
• It was not as sporty as people expected
• The design especially interior was childish for people who could afford.

That was how, they could not attract nether young buyer nor wealthy people.

So, after that IS shifted to more luxurious market and this is the 3rd model including the original Altezza.

But again…..the average buyer of Lexus is getting older and older. That is how they are now trying to attract younger generation.

But…..what a hell is this? The grill looks like snake or something.

Recently, Toyota had big change about the design department.
Before, they had too many design assessments and that was creating Toyota’s dull & boring design.Now, they stopped that and the president of Toyota, Mr.Toyota says

“I understand car design”.
“I will look after design department.”

Actually, this is quite dangerous thing to do.
Because in Japanese society, design department will have to listen to president even if he is not right.
Also nobody want to risk to argue with president.

President does not mean he has good sense although he think he know about car design.

I introduced Toyota Crown  before and this is famous about Mr.Toyota visiting design studio all the time to complain.

What did we get for that?

Toyota design is in very difficult situation. They are trying to be something new….

But it looks like meaningless sharp lines are tangling up for no reason.

I especially don’t like the grill which looks like snake or something. There is completely luck of accent.

I just did minor modification by Adobe Photoshop. Even this makes way better than the original.

Well…I still don’t like the “Spindle Grill”.  Two lines running from bonnet are ending at the grill….well…it is not that bad…….then, suddenly changing the direction. It is just unnatural.

They are trying to be distinctive, but distinctive does not mean to be beautiful. Harmony is the important thing that Toyota is completely missing.

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