What year did Lexus change the front grill?
Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota, has undergone several changes to the design of its iconic front grille over the years. The most significant change occurred in 2013, when Lexus introduced a new, bolder grille design that has since become a defining feature of the brand.
The Evolution of the Lexus Grille
When Lexus first launched in 1989, its vehicles featured a relatively subtle and understated front grille design. This early grille was characterized by a simple, horizontal bar with the Lexus logo prominently displayed in the center.
Over the next two decades, the Lexus grille underwent gradual refinements, becoming slightly more prominent and angular in appearance. However, it wasn't until 2013 that the brand introduced a truly transformative grille design.
The 2013 Grille Redesign
In 2013, Lexus unveiled a bold new grille design that has since become a hallmark of the brand. This new grille, known as the "spindle grille," features a distinctive hourglass shape with a prominent, three-dimensional mesh pattern. The Lexus logo is now integrated into the grille, rather than being a separate element.
The spindle grille was first introduced on the Lexus GS sedan and has since been adopted across the brand's entire lineup. The new design was intended to give Lexus vehicles a more aggressive and distinctive appearance, helping to differentiate the brand from its competitors.
The Ongoing Evolution
Since the introduction of the spindle grille in 2013, Lexus has continued to refine and evolve the design. While the overall hourglass shape and mesh pattern have remained consistent, the grille has become slightly more pronounced and angular over the years.
Additionally, Lexus has introduced variations of the spindle grille design, such as a more open-mesh pattern on some models and a more pronounced three-dimensional effect on others. These subtle changes have helped to keep the Lexus grille design fresh and modern, while still maintaining the brand's distinctive visual identity.
Overall, the evolution of the Lexus grille has been a key part of the brand's ongoing efforts to establish a strong and recognizable design language. The 2013 introduction of the spindle grille was a particularly significant milestone, and the continued refinement of this design has helped to solidify Lexus' position as a leader in the luxury automotive market.
