We've never been the type to jump the gun on early conclusions on anything and we're not going to do it on this instance.
Having said that, Toyota->ke88 CEO Jim Lentz's presentation just before the 2014 North American International Auto Show->ke222 showed what appeared to be a production version of the LF-NX Concept that we were raving about last year. The image of the production version got us thinking, which of course, led to this question.
That's it?
Granted, it has all of the Lexus->ke47 dimensions and styling cues you'd come to expect from the company's current, and admittedly, fantastic design language. But the LF-NX Concept->ke169 was just so incredible to look at -- it looked like straight out of Transformers! -- that we hoped the company would translate at least some of it into the production model.
Instead, we're looking at a enormously toned down version of the LF-NX that, quite frankly, bears little resemblance to the concept. The sharp edges, the mean-looking headlights, and even the fancy polished gray color of the concept was taken out and replaced with a whole lot of traditional styling -- sigh.
We're still holding out hope that the final version of the production model looks more like the concept than this "preview" of sorts. Then again, we're not holding out hope that something like that could happen, or at the very least be entertained by Lexus' top brass.
Click past the jump to watch Jim Lentz' address at the NAIAS and to read more about the Lexus LF-NX Concept
Jim Lentz' Address at the 2014 North American International Auto Show
It’s safe to say that the Lexus LF-NX Concept stole some hearts at the Frankfurt Motor Show, thanks to an aggressive design that features sharp edges, a low stance and contoured lines, all blending together to create a crossover->ke288 that has an undeniably strong presence about it.
They definitely stole ours because we wouldn't be this disappointed if the concept hadn't blown us away, too.
The front end of the LF-NX Concept still retains some similarities to other recent Lexus concepts. The slit-like headlamps are downright evil-looking, while the daytime running lights being positioned independently from the headlamps and create an added visual emphasis to the crossover’s profile.
Through all that, it's still hard to close your eyes without imagining what it would be like to have this concept out on the road. That's because very few SUVs can make heads whip like this one could.