Father of Lexus RC F and Supra

 

Meet the man that brought you the 2015 Lexus RC F and Supra

                 

The Lexus RC F is like a metaphor for formal attire with French cuffs and no tie, which exudes a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe. However, the car's true appeal lies in the fact that it was designed for individuals who love to drive and enjoy high-performance Grand Touring vehicles without being professional racers. This concept was spearheaded by the man behind the car, Yukihiko Yaguchi, who has had an illustrious career at Toyota and Lexus.

Mr. Yaguchi's legacy began when he worked on the Supra shortly after joining Toyota in 1977, eventually being part of the team that developed all four generations of the iconic car. Later on, he created a prototype premium vehicle using the Supra's suspension and engine, which eventually led to the birth of the IS. Mr. Yaguchi served as the head of development and planning at Lexus, but he requested to be the lead designer on the IS F, a move that demonstrated his passion for designing cars for driving enthusiasts, not just to impress the mainstream media.

In interviews, Mr. Yaguchi emphasized that he was not concerned with creating cars that simply had the best specifications but rather those that offered the best driving experience. He believed that Lexus F brand cars should be fun and easy to drive while balancing their street and track character. When asked about the cars that the RC F was benchmarked against, he replied that he did not care about the competition, as his primary focus was on creating a high-performance car that offered driving pleasure to all, including regular drivers.

What sets Mr. Yaguchi apart is his philosophy of designing cars for people to enjoy on public roads and track days, rather than simply designing race cars that can be made street-legal. Unlike some of Lexus's competitors, he designs cars for enthusiasts and regular drivers, with an emphasis on delivering an enjoyable driving experience rather than merely being the fastest in the market.

On making Supra 

The Lexus RC F is like a metaphor for formal attire with French cuffs and no tie, which exudes a relaxed yet sophisticated vibe. However, the car's true appeal lies in the fact that it was designed for individuals who love to drive and enjoy high-performance Grand Touring vehicles without being professional racers. This concept was spearheaded by the man behind the car, Yukihiko Yaguchi, who has had an illustrious career at Toyota and Lexus.

Mr. Yaguchi's legacy began when he worked on the Supra shortly after joining Toyota in 1977, eventually being part of the team that developed all four generations of the iconic car. Later on, he created a prototype premium vehicle using the Supra's suspension and engine, which eventually led to the birth of the IS. Mr. Yaguchi served as the head of development and planning at Lexus, but he requested to be the lead designer on the IS F, a move that demonstrated his passion for designing cars for driving enthusiasts, not just to impress the mainstream media.

In interviews, Mr. Yaguchi emphasized that he was not concerned with creating cars that simply had the best specifications but rather those that offered the best driving experience. He believed that Lexus F brand cars should be fun and easy to drive while balancing their street and track character. When asked about the cars that the RC F was benchmarked against, he replied that he did not care about the competition, as his primary focus was on creating a high-performance car that offered driving pleasure to all, including regular drivers.

What sets Mr. Yaguchi apart is his philosophy of designing cars for people to enjoy on public roads and track days, rather than simply designing race cars that can be made street-legal. Unlike some of Lexus's competitors, he designs cars for enthusiasts and regular drivers, with an emphasis on delivering an enjoyable driving experience rather than merely being the fastest in the market.