“To say the stunningly original cabin of the LF-LC concept reflects a new approach for Lexus interiors would be an understatement,” writes Guy Bird.

Its mash-up mood of unusual colours, materials and wraparound surfaces – from unusually stitched honey suede on the curvaceous door panels to the bird’s eye walnut-style finish on the centre console and carbon fibre-covered steering wheel – is an original combination for car interiors full stop.

The treatment of the coupe’s inside shape and surface also happens to be right on the money when it comes to broader interior design themes, fitting perfectly with one of the key autumn/winter trends for 2012 and 2013 identified by forecasting experts Worth Style Global Network.

WGSN calls the interior trend ‘Hyperculture’ and describes it as the blending of influences from diverse global cultures, as WGSN explains: “Because people share these cultures with others on the internet and in the street, they are creating a climate of Hyperculture – layer upon layer of different cultural elements that exist side by side in surprising harmony. Today we can imagine buying a Turkish rug made from European materials and manufactured in China.”

The LF-LC cabin reflects just such an approach, as a luxury Japanese product conceived on the US West Coast but designed to sell around the world. Executed intelligently, the invitingly warm and light cabin manages to fuse the best of many styles into one convincing whole.

“Anything is possible”, WGSN continues. “This super-hybridisation goes deep into materials and methods of production. Synthetics are mixed with naturals. Soft and hard materials are associated in innovative new ways. The timeless knowledge of skilled artisans is combined with the latest in industrial production techniques. The hand and the machine work together to develop products that have never been seen before.”

The LF-LC designers are already on record as saying the concept was produced using man-made and computer skills and with a desire to juxtapose organic and mechanical elements together. It was a bold approach, as Kevin Hunter, president of Lexus’s US design studio readily confides: “Believe me, we had many meetings where we were like, ‘All right does this really work?’ But we think it really does work alongside the exterior colour. Maybe it’s the natural colour of the suede that helps. You would think it wouldn’t.”

He’s right, the LF-LC cabin does really work, just as the design trend it reflects looks set to continue doing at its best for a good while too. As WGSN concludes: “Hyperculture is a global movement of mega-proportion, direction and dimension that mixes multiple cultures, times and techniques in endlessly inspiring combinations.”

About the LF-LC:
The Lexus LF-LC hybrid sports concept made its global debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where it won the EyesOn Design award for best concept vehicle, followed by the ‘Best Concept Vehicle’ award a month later at the Chicago Auto Show. More recently, LF-LC has been nominated for a prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza design award.

For more images of the Lexus LF-LC, click here to visit our online photo gallery.

About the author:
Guy Bird is a freelance writer and editor specialising in cars and design for the likes of CAR magazine, The Daily Express, Wallpaper* and Car Design News. He attends the world’s auto shows from Paris to Tokyo and has road-tested the vast majority of vehicles available in the UK over the past 18 years.

Honestjohn.co.uk analysed all MoT data recorded between 1 October 2010 and 30 September 2011. Lexus vehicles scored an industry leading pass rate of 88% for vehicles having their first MoT.

It wasn’t such good news for all manufacturers, as the full records show one in five cars in the UK (352,000 in total) failed their first MoT. The most common reasons for MoT failures were lighting and signalling (164,837 failures), followed closely by tyres (96,760 failures), headlight aim (82,555 failures) and issues with the driver’s view of the road (80,605 failures).

To see the results in full, visit honestjohn.co.uk/mot.

In 2011, Lexus was named Manufacturer of the Decade by Auto Express and celebrated 11 years at the top of annual JD Power and Associates customer satisfaction study. The Auto Express award recognised the fact that Lexus had achieved the highest average satisfaction rating of any car maker over the past 10 years – 88.3 per cent – based on more than 300,000 responses from motorists to Auto Express’s annual Driver Power survey.

To find out more about Lexus vehicles, visit lexus.co.uk.

The stunning hybrid sports concept will compete for the ‘Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes’, which will be awarded on 27 May following a public vote.

First held in 1929, the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este ranks as one of the world’s most distinguished automotive events. Past award winners in the show’s concept car and prototype category include the Aston Martin Zagato and Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa.

The LF-LC is no stranger when it comes to awards. In January 2012, the car was awarded the EyesOn Design award for best concept vehicle at the Detroit auto show, followed by a ‘Best Concept Vehicle’ win a month later in Chicago – full details here.

Despite no word about the car being put into production, LF-LC showcases the future design direction for Lexus with an emphasis on a driver-focused vehicle.

For more images of this striking vision of Lexus’s sporting future, click here.

The Complete Company Car Tax Guide app is available to download free of charge and is perfect for company car users and fleet managers who need to keep up to date with the latest company car tax matters.

Launched by Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services, the guide is available for Apple and Android smartphones, tablets, and PCs.

To download the app for your iPhone or iPad, click here.

To download app for your Android device, click here.

The guide explains how business cars are treated for tax in the UK, allowing users to calculate BIK (Benefit in Kind) and NIC (National Insurance Contributions) over a three-year period.

This is the first time such a guide has been developed by a car manufacturer in the UK.

Ewan Shepherd, General Manager Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services, said: “The launch of the Company Car Tax Guide is another step in our strategy of offering an all-round, added value service for company car users and fleet operators. This interactive application is easy to use and really takes the headache out of potentially timely tax calculations.”

Have you downloaded the app? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below or joining the conversation on Twitter and Facebook.

From design superstars to supreme supercars, transparency is something to keep an eye on.

The trend toward transparency is a growing theme among concept and product design. It’s pushing engineers to develop new scratch and impact-resistant glass, plastic and acrylic for a wide range of innovations, from in-car touch screens to smart phones, laptops and tablets.

Of course, these clear materials are being used in areas that conventionally might have housed a non-glass screen before, but they are bringing transparency to centre stage by making such see-though designs unenclosed by frames or dark borders.

This approach lets light flood in and adds a sense of physical lightness to the product overall. The lack of other obvious material elements also leads to a pleasing and honest simplicity, as the design’s structure takes a back seat in order to reveal the product’s often-beautiful inner workings, rather than hiding them.

These smart phone concepts from Nokia are great examples.

The South Korean firm Samsung to things one step further, and recently showed the world’s first transparent laptop at the famous Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show. The screen uses organic light emitting diodes – or OLEDS.

Lexus was an early adopter of this transparent trend too, commissioning a beautifully see-through version of its stunning LFA supercar as far back as 2009’s Tokyo motor show.

The concept allowed onlookers to get a sense of the beauty and complexity inside its highly sophisticated sportscar range-topper.

Going further back, arguably the granddaddy of the modern interpretation of this clear idea, is product design superstar Philippe Starck, with his Louis Ghost chair, taking a classic Baroque-style chair design and re-imagining it in practical, durable transparent polycarbonate.

We are also introducing revisions to existing models like the RX, which will arrive in the UK this summer. A bold new advertising campaign is also planned, as are exciting opportunities that you’ll be able to get involved in through our Facebook page.

We have already covered the design changes that will define the appearance of these new Lexus models. Our ‘spindle grille’ was launched at the Geneva Motor Show this year and will be central to our new cars’ look.

Progress relies on change. Without evolution, nothing improves, so it’s natural that Lexus, always striving to perfect its unique approach to luxury, is changing. But this time, the changes are happening faster than ever before.

So what do the new GS saloon, LFA supercar and the more recent LF-LC Concept have in common? Well, they are a new breed of Lexus cars which place great emphasis on driving pleasure – and many more will follow.

As part of this new era for Lexus, we are also offering greater insight into the future of the brand, as this interview from the American Lexus Magazine with Head of Lexus, Kiyotaka Ise proves.

In the interview, Ise promises our cars will become even more advanced in their use of technology and be instantly recognisable. He says he is comfortable with cars that look more aggressive, concluding that this is the best way to convey “boldness with sophistication and elegance.”

Each model will have its own individual look, he promises, but cars will all share sharper body language and a stance that conveys their driver-orientated focus.

Perhaps most exciting though is his focus on driver appeal. “The intention is to make the driver and car feel as one.” He says “A supercar like the LFA or a coupe like the LF-LC concept will take this to a more extreme level, but all Lexus models will share the ability to reward their driver.”

So, when will we see this evolution in action?

Ise promises that it has started already with the LFA, new GS, and LF-LC concept.

“We will be offering customers greater opportunity to personalise their new cars, too. So there are two factors: creating something new by innovating and drawing from our deep well of customer feedback to improve existing models. Ultimately, the customer is the real decision maker. For us, that will never change.” He concludes.

To read the whole of the interview, click here.

The LS is our brand’s range topping model, and is the world’s first luxury performance hybrid saloon. It’s available in standard and long wheelbase trim.

The standard LS 600h costs from £93,936, while the long wheelbase LS 600h L is priced from £90,636.

Top specification LS 600h L rear seat relaxation models cost from £100,086 and allow drivers to choose between four and five seat layouts, depending on their needs. Rear seats are electrically powered, and feature Ottoman style leg rests. In the four seat model, a rear centre console is fitted, and features climate control systems and power sockets. It’s also possible to specify a drinks chiller.

All versions of the LS 600h are four-wheel drive, while the car’s Lexus Hybrid Drive engine combines a 5.0-litre V8 with an electric motor. Together the motors offer 439bhp and immense performance.

However, fuel economy remains strong. Thanks to the regenerative braking system and an all-electric EV mode that allows the car to drive on battery power alone, the LS returns 30.4mpg. The car also delivers low CO2 emissions of 218g/km.

A huge selection of accessories are offered with the LS range, including home technology links that can be tuned to control security lighting and gate systems, as well as in-car television screens and high performance audio systems.

The exterior of the car can be personalised with the addition of bike racks, 19inch alloy wheels and fitted car covers. Finance is also available. All prices are correct at time of going to press and are inclusive of VAT at 20%.

For the latest specification and on-the-road (OTR) pricing for the Lexus LS range click here.

The organisation’s latest data shows that Lexus, together with Toyota, leads a sector which has seen a more than 100,000 hybrid vehicles registered since 2007.

Of that number, 77,000 – over three quarters of the vehicles identified by the survey – were badged Lexus or Toyota.

The growth in market share for hybrid powered cars shows just how popular they are becoming.

This year, the number of drivers making the switch will increase further, with two new hybrids being introduced by Lexus.

The new GS 450h will take emissions and fuel efficiency to a new level in its class, while an updated RX450h will get a new look and improved cabin.

Jon Williams, President and Managing Director of Toyota and Lexus in the UK said: “The SMMT data shows how the momentum for hybrid is increasing. Motorists appreciate its environmental performance, its reliability and ease of use, plus the smooth and refined driving quality.”

“Toyota’s leadership in hybrid technology is not just about the models we have launched and the new vehicles we are bringing to market this year. It also serves as a proven, flexible technology platform for creating different powertrains – all-electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles – with which we will be able to develop and deliver sustainable transport with minimum environmental impact.”

Here, he talks to us about his involvement in the Tournament, as well as his love of cars… Richard drives an RX450h, you’ll find his answers to our questions, below.

Are you a car fan? Tell us about your favourite journey:

I enjoy being in a lovely car, and I’ve been watching quite a bit of Formula 1. I’ve recently seen how much of a team sport it is, and how inclusive and how reliant people are on others. There are many parallels you can draw between that, and playing great rugby!

I was lucky to have my first driving lesson on my 17th birthday, and within two and a half months I had my licence. I was driving around in my mum’s Metro, to play in England under 19 matches – I used to put a cassette player on front passenger seat, as it had no extras whatsoever… I Iiked the freedom. Being able to get myself around was really important.

What do you look for most in a car?

I think you want something aesthetically pleasing. It has to be comfortable and reliable. You don’t want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere broken down. Lexus is brilliant at going the extra mile and putting luxury into a car. I’ve always found them comfortable and reliable. In terms of the interior, they are always good – with a decent satellite navigation and Bluetooth connectivity. The reversing camera is a brilliant addition for a 4×4. It allows you to get in and out of parking spaces much easier than other cars, that for me would be a key feature.

What does it take to win and can you draw any parallels to Lexus as a brand?

For me, winning is about tweaking the game plan and focussing on the next season. But you mustn’t lose sight of what has got you there in the first place. If you want to win, you need hard work and dedication. You need to want to be there. You need to enjoy what you are doing to put in the extra hours and I’m sure that’s part of the ethos at Lexus. The majority of the time you can stick to your core basics – but you’ve got to look outside of the box. Like Lexus, introducing the new GS range.

What does Lexus say about you?

Quality!! I enjoy my car and love driving about in it. People often comment about it too, I love that it’s a hybrid.

What do you think of the RX you are currently driving?

I’ve had an RX 400, and I’m currently driving the hybrid RX 450h – There is a sizeable difference of MPG of the car over the normal petrol model. I love the hybrid system, it’s just so quiet when the electric engine kicks in!

What’s it been like working with the Schools Rugby Tournament winners today?

It’s been fantastic, great enthusiasm and they are taking everything on board in a relatively short space of time. They are looking to improve their handling skills, attacking weaknesses in the opponent’s defence, foot work and so on. I’ve tried to reinforce some of the principles of rugby that we mustn’t lose sight of. Even at Premiership and International level the teams are continually practising the basics as they make up the core skills needed in the game. Each time you do it, the quality is better and you continually improve. Hopefully working with the teams today, looking at their rugby skills, will help them to take some ideas to improve their work in school life too.

Lexus National Schools Rugby Tournament was held between November 2011 and March 2012, and included prize draw enabling one lucky school to enjoy a training day with former England international Richard Hill.

This was won by Aldro student William Sutcliffe whose mother Annie drew the winning ticket.

the coaching session took place on April 25th, with Richard on hand to give tips and advice to the team. There were up to 25 boys taking part in the session aged between 12 and 13 from the First XV.  Richard finished the session by signing rugby balls to be given out amongst the players.

If you want to see cutting-edge films before almost anyone else, meet the actors and directors behind them, hear great live music and generally soak up a thoroughly creative atmosphere without getting wet, then the Sundance London Film and Music Festival at London’s O2 in North Greenwich is the place to be.

Doors opened on April 26th, but it’s the events lined up for Saturady April 28th and Sunday April 29th that promise to offer the biggest draw – writes Guy Bird.

Established by Hollywood screen legend Robert Redford 30 years ago in Utah, USA, the Sundance Film Festival became renowned as the place to see promising films unable to gain mainstream exposure elsewhere.

Indeed, it was the event that first broke movies as diverse as Little Miss Sunshine, Reservoir Dogs and Sex Lies and Videotape – all of which have gone on to become worldwide smash hits.

Now the fiercely independent event has spread its wings beyond the US and celebrates its outing to London, combining film and music for the first time.

Opened yesterday evening by Redford himself and featuring music from the Guillemots, tickets are still available for many of the weekend’s dozen-plus screenings, music concerts and special events.

Whether you fancy discovering Filly Brown – a film featuring the tribulations of a young female Mexican rapper in LA played by rising star Gina Rodriguez, coping with life without her jailed mother as success beckons – or The Queen of Versailles, which charts the collapse of the American Dream for two billionaires trying to build America’s biggest house based on the famous French palace, there’s sure to be an original film to surprise and entertain.

What makes the Sundance festival so special is that as well as seeing films early, the festival offers filmgoers the chance to meet the stars and directors of the films in informal an Q&A setting afterwards.

Top-draw live music is also being laid on. Tonight (Friday 27th) Tricky reunites with vocalist Martina Topley-Bird for the first time in 15 years to perform his 1995 debut classic album Maxinquaye, named in Q magazine’s ‘100 greatest British Albums’ of all time. Saturday 28th sees alternative rockers Placebo take the stage. Rufus and Martha Wainwright close the festival on Sunday night after a screening of a tribute film focusing their mother, singer-songwriter Kate McGarrigle.

All in all, as the rain continues to come down in London this weekend, the Sundance Festival could offer a ray of entertainment.

Events and booking info: Film tickets start from £11.50, concert tickets from £35. For more details on all the special events taking place at Sundance this weekend and to find out how to book tickets online visit www.sundance-london.com or ring 0844 858 6754.

Getting there: North Greenwich tube is just a short stroll from the O2 on the Jubilee Line, which joins up with all other underground lines as well as many London terminal overground stations. Alternatively, if you want to bring your Lexus, ring 020 8463 6718 for pre-book parking info.