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Lexus LF
The Lexus LF line is a series of concept cars built by the Lexus division of Toyota Motor Corporation. The "LF" stands for L-Finesse, a new design direction by Lexus. The new design language of L-finesse was first introduced on the LF Series concepts and has now extended to all new vehicles in the Lexus lineup. The LF Series vehicles include two coupes/convertibles, the LF-A and LF-C, two sedans, the LF-S and LF-Sh, and one crossover SUV, the LF-X. These vehicles feature new design cues which are emblematic of the L-finesse philosophy of Intriguing Elegance, Incisive Simplicity, and Seamless Anticipation, and are fitted with new vehicle technologies. The first concept vehicle of the LF Series, the LF-X, appeared in 2003. Several of the LF concept vehicles have appeared close to their production counterparts, while the design cues of other LF concepts appeared on more distinctly different production vehicles.
LF-A
The LF-A is a 2-door concept car Toyota produced under the Lexus brand. The LF-A's 5-liter (or smaller) engine produces at least 500-horsepower (373 kW), propelling it to a top speed of approximately 200 miles per hour (322 km/h). It débuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show.
Toyota has given the LF-A concept car the green-light for production. Prototypes of the LF-A have been spotted being tested at the Nürburgring, and the production vehicles are expected to carry V10 engines, putting the car in competition with the Lamborghini Gallardo and Porsche Carrera GT. Pricing is expected to exceed $100,000.
In 2007, Lexus GB director Steve Settle confirmed that both a V10 and hybrid version of the LF-A would be produced. The hybrid version, combining a petrol engine with electric motors, would likely feature a V8 powertrain similar to that designed for the Lexus LS 600h L.
The LF-A 
At the '06 LA Auto Show. 
Profile of the 2007 LF-A
Rear view of the 2007 LF-A
2005 Lexus LF-A Concept
2007 spy shot of an LF-A test mule testing around the Nurburgring.
interior of the LF-A concept car.
LF-C
The Lexus LF-C is a concept car Lexus unveiled at the 2004 New York Auto Show. The LF-C is fitted with a V8 engine. Rumors persist that that LF-C hints at the general design direction for the next-generation Lexus SC. It may, however, hint at a future convertable version of the IS250/350.
The LF-C features a retractable hardtop design which allows for coupe, convertible, targa, or speedster configurations via a four-position glass roof. The designation stands for Lexus Future-Coupe. The LF-C is fitted with a V8 engine and rear-wheel drive. Unique features included a one-touch activation button, crystal LED taillamps, suede bucket seats, a 3D instrument panel, drive-by-wire, and a translucent crystal center console with blue backlighting. The LF-C also featured retractable rear-view cameras in place of side mirrors on the doors and rear bumper.
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The LF-C 
At the '04 Paris Motor Show.
LF-S
The LF-S is a concept luxury sedan which Lexus unveiled in 2003 at the Tokyo Motor Show, signalling its intentions to launch Lexus in its home country. The designation stands for Lexus Future-Sedan. Unique features of the LF-S concept included side-mounted cameras instead of mirrors, an air stream style windshield cleansing system, transparent panoramic roof with security illumination, and keyless entry. Design cues from the LF-S, particularly the slingshot cabin, sleek profile, and rear deck lid, appeared in the third generation Lexus GS production sedan. The vehicle was designed to seat 5 passengers.
The LF-S was powered by a high-output hybrid V8 system with all-wheel drive, marking the conceptual debut of a Lexus vehicle with hybrid technology (the first luxury hybrid, the RX 400h, subsequently premiered in 2005 with a V6 hybrid powertrain, and in 2007 the LS 600h and LS 600h L hybrids debuted with hybrid V8 systems). The LF-S and GS sedans were displayed together at the Los Angeles Auto Show in 2005, alluding to the design similarities between concept and production model. Overall length was 193.3 in., width 74.6 in. and height 53.0 in.
LF-Sh
Concept luxury sedan, eventually developed into the fourth generation Lexus LS. The LF-Sh featured LED headlamps, hybrid all-wheel drive, and exhaust vents integrated into the rear bumper. The designation refers to Lexus Future-Sedan hybrid. The LF-Sh body style more closely resembled an actual production vehicle, the LS 460, than any of the other LF Series concepts, with identical exterior dimensions as the standard wheelbase version of the fourth generation LS sedan.
Multiple details on the LF-Sh were changed for production. Among them, the integrated exhaust vents were shifted from a seamless one-piece design to a chrome-plated version. The LED headlamps did not appear on the standard production LS 460, but are scheduled to debut on the hybrid ultra-luxury LS 600h / LS 600h L. The long wheelbase model LS 460 L is a lengthened version of the LF-Sh/LS 460 standard wheelbase design.
The LF-Sh concept premiered at the Tokyo Motor Show in late 2005, following the debut of Lexus in the home market of Japan, and predating the January 2006 debut of the LS 460 in North America. The LF-Sh concept was not fitted with an interior, allowing the interior reveal of the LS 460 to occur at the North American International Auto Show in 2006.
LF-X
Concept crossover vehicle. The designation stands for Lexus Future-Crossover(X). This vehicle was the first to appear in the LF Series, and was initially revealed using the prior Lexus concept nomenclature. The LF-X design fits between the RX crossover and the GX large SUV. If produced (possibly under the VX or JX designation), the LF-X would offer three rows of seating, compared to the RX's two rows.
LF-Xh
Concept crossover hybrid vehicle. The designation stands for Lexus Future-Crossover(X) hybrid. This vehicle was first shown in October 2007 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and is thought to be a concept version of the third generation Lexus RX. The LF-Xh featured a V6 engine with electric motors, LED headlights and taillights, and a concept interior.
References
- "Detroit Auto Show: Lexus LF-A", an Autoblog entry
- "Lexus confirms 500hp V10 for LF-A", a Leftlane News entry
See Also
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