Former Lexus fans are not happy with the brand’s new designs

When looking at the new lineup of Lexus cars, many would agree that it looks very different from their previous models and other luxury brands, in terms of the design and styling direction. While BMW and Audi stick to handsome, yet conservative design elements, Lexus vehicles veer from that and instead have a more aggressive look, with the latest evolution of the spindle grille.

This is particularly true on models like the LC500 and the LF-1 Limitless Concept. The automaker knows that this won’t look attractive to everyone, but it has a contentious shape that will attract the right buyers.

Here’s the thing, some people may find the new design polarizing, and these are mostly composed of people who have been around since the beginning (longtime owners or Lexus enthusiasts). This is because they saw how the brand changed its design, says Jeff Bracken, General Manager of Lexus. He even told Carbuzz that it would sometimes take him 45 minutes to an hour just to listen to customers express how disappointed they are with Lexus’ new direction.

Furthermore, Bracken thinks that this move by Lexus, making their cars look more avant-garde, might cause a lot of their customers abandon the brand. But he is pretty confident about the design, and is willing to take this risk, also because he believes that this could bring more people to the company. He tells Carbuzz that if they had an average of 60, then they will have to bring that down.

In fact, the LC500 and LF-1 Limitless Concept are just the beginning of the transition to a much bolder design. As we have seen in the Japanese automaker’s recent concepts and production models, we should expect future Lexus models to be far from subtle. For instance, the LF-1 Limitless Concept previews a massive version of the spindle grille, combined with a strip of LEDs that wrap around the rear. The UX concept, on the other hand, also indicates that the daring look will also be carried on to the bottom of the lineup as well.

As you would notice, when you compare several Lexus models side by side, they tend to create different versions of the grille for each one. For instance, the one on the LS model was designed on a computer for six months to individually adjust the curvature of the 5,000 pieces of mesh used. A craftsman then had to use hand tools to fine-tune the design. This includes polishing the various surfaces to make them appear even brighter, so it stands out on the road.

We would like to know what you think of Lexus’ new design. Are you for it, or does it make you cringe?