If you have an interest in Lexus’ cars or are the proud owner of a Lexus you may be interested in learning about the history of the Lexus Legend which started its life as a supercar concept and eventually went into production as a roadster. Especially if you own a Legend or are interested in acquiring a Lexus Legend.
A handy guide to the Luxus Legend:
Work on the first designs took place in 2000.
Haruhiko Tanahashi starts work on his first concept for the Lexus Legend in 2000. At the time it was Tanahashi’s intention to design Lexus’ very first supercar. In order to design a concept that would take the world by storm, Tanahashi assembled a team of handpicked designers and engineers. As the board of directors at Lexus knew that the result of their first supercar could have the power to make or break their company. As if they successfully released a coveted supercar that attracted positive reviews, Lexus would prove themselves as a luxury car brand.
By November 2020, work begun on the first prototype:
Remarkably within the same year, work begun on the team’s first prototype. However, it would take half a decade until the talented team would be ready to debut their supercar prototype to the world.
In 2005 Lexus officially revealed their prototype to the world:
In 2005, Tanahashi and his team were finally ready to showcase the prototype which they’d been working on for five long years to the general public.
Lexus decides to make a key change to the Legend:
However, by the end of 2005, a decision was made to replace the aluminum bodywork with carbon fiber. Which is a more expensive, covetable material.
The prototype was put through rigorous tests for two years:
From 2005-2007 Lexus’ team tested the Legend at the famous Nurburging racecourse in Germany. In order to prevent their competitors from seeing the Legend’s bodywork, engine, and technology the team decided to test their concept car under a black cloak. That added an element of mystery to the Legend.
In 2008 a roadster version of the Legend was debuted:
In 2008, car fans around the world were shocked when Lexus debuted their brand new prototype of a roadster version of the Legend which they had first showcased back in 2005.
Lexus announced that they would turn the roadster version of the Lexus Legend into a production car. Eight years after Lexus started designing their first supercar. Production finally started on this version of the Legend in 2010.
A special edition was later released in 2011:
In 2011, Lexus announced that they would release a special edition of their roadster which they named the Nurburging. After the Nurburging racecourse where the earlier versions of the Legend were tested.
Some fans see the Legend as a spiritual successor to the Supra:
Many car magazines around the world, claimed that the Legend was a spiritual successor to the much loved Supra. Although the two models have many noticeable differences.
So if you have an interest in luxury car brands or Lexus in particular, hopefully, you found the history behind the Lexus Legend interesting. Especially if you are interested in owning a Legend.
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