Yukihiko Yaguchi
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese automotive engineer and designer
responsible for the design of the first generation Lexus IS F. Born in 1955, he has over 30 years of experience in car design, having worked as head of development and planning for Lexus
, where he holds the title of chief engineer. Yaguchi previously worked on the development of the Toyota Chaser
and all generations of the Toyota Supra
.
he studied Mechanical Engineering
but did not specialise in a subject. However,long before he studied mechanical engineering it was obvious to him that he would work for the Japanese automobile industry. At TMC
(Toyota Motor Company) he found his first job.
. He worked on the Supra Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3 and Mark 4. Around 2000 (a long time before the IS F project started) Toyota came up with a car named the Chaser
. This car can now be seen as predecessor of the Lexus IS F. Yaguchi designed this car as a mix between a luxury car and a very sporty car. The car that resulted had the suspension and the engine of the Supra.
While he designed the Supra
Yaguchi-san was at the 1980s birth of Lexus
as a part the TMC
. He spent a lot of time with the new designs for Lexus
cars (especially Lexus LS 400) and soon became head of general development and planning for Lexus
. In the year 2006 he was asked to manage the design for the IS F.
The IS F is the sports version of the normal Lexus IS
sedan. For the IS F, Yaguchi was inspired by driving in a lot of other cars. In an interview, he said that he loves sports cars, but thinks it’s a pity that the most sports cars have 2 seats instead of 4. Exactly that idea was the basis for the IS F.
Automotive design
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans...
responsible for the design of the first generation Lexus IS F. Born in 1955, he has over 30 years of experience in car design, having worked as head of development and planning for Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
, where he holds the title of chief engineer. Yaguchi previously worked on the development of the Toyota Chaser
Toyota Chaser
The Toyota Chaser is a mid-size car produced by the Toyota Motor Company, Japan. Most were 4-door sedans, with the 2-door coupe discontinued after the first generation...
and all generations of the Toyota Supra
Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is a sports car/grand tourer that was produced by Toyota Motor Company from 1979 to 2002. The styling of the Toyota Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra became its own model and was no longer based on the Celica...
.
Early life
Yukihiko Yaguchi was raised by the Japanese tradition, which is very traditional and strict. At the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of TechnologyTokyo Metropolitan University
Tokyo Metropolitan University is one of the largest public universities in Japan...
he studied Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
but did not specialise in a subject. However,long before he studied mechanical engineering it was obvious to him that he would work for the Japanese automobile industry. At TMC
TMC
TMC may stand for:*Tennis Masters Cup, a part of the ATP World Tour Finals*Thomas & Mack Center, an indoor arena on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas opened in 1983.*Timaru Mongrel Club, Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand...
(Toyota Motor Company) he found his first job.
Career
After he graduated from the university, Yaguchi took part in an entry exam at Toyota and started to work with the company. One of his first projects was the design of the Toyota SupraToyota Supra
The Toyota Supra is a sports car/grand tourer that was produced by Toyota Motor Company from 1979 to 2002. The styling of the Toyota Supra was derived from the Toyota Celica, but it was both longer and wider. Starting in mid-1986, the Supra became its own model and was no longer based on the Celica...
. He worked on the Supra Mark 1, Mark 2, Mark 3 and Mark 4. Around 2000 (a long time before the IS F project started) Toyota came up with a car named the Chaser
Chaser
Chaser may refer to:* Chaser , a 2003 sci-fi first person shooter video game* The Chaser, an Australian comedy group* The Chaser , a South Korean film* "The Chaser" , an episode of The Twilight Zone...
. This car can now be seen as predecessor of the Lexus IS F. Yaguchi designed this car as a mix between a luxury car and a very sporty car. The car that resulted had the suspension and the engine of the Supra.
Supra
Supra is an academic and legal citation signal used when a writer desires to refer a reader to an earlier-cited authority. For example, an author wanting to refer to a source in his or her third footnote would cite: See supra note 3...
Yaguchi-san was at the 1980s birth of Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
as a part the TMC
TMC
TMC may stand for:*Tennis Masters Cup, a part of the ATP World Tour Finals*Thomas & Mack Center, an indoor arena on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas opened in 1983.*Timaru Mongrel Club, Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand...
. He spent a lot of time with the new designs for Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
cars (especially Lexus LS 400) and soon became head of general development and planning for Lexus
Lexus
is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. First introduced in 1989 in the United States, Lexus is now sold globally and has become Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. The Lexus marque is marketed in over 70 countries and territories worldwide, and has...
. In the year 2006 he was asked to manage the design for the IS F.
The IS F is the sports version of the normal Lexus IS
Lexus IS
The Lexus IS is a series of entry-level luxury cars / compact executive cars sold by Lexus since 1998. The IS was introduced as an entry-level sport model slotted below the ES in the Lexus lineup...
sedan. For the IS F, Yaguchi was inspired by driving in a lot of other cars. In an interview, he said that he loves sports cars, but thinks it’s a pity that the most sports cars have 2 seats instead of 4. Exactly that idea was the basis for the IS F.