While it may seem like a rather subtle addition, the Lexus team spent plenty of time on research and development. During test flights with Yoshihide Muroya, engineers studied the plane’s drag-reducing winglets and the associated vortices, which are normally problematic. When testing in the wind tunnel, they found that, when applied to the vehicle, the dynamics could be improved by turning the wings upside down and adding winglets.
Following extensive wind tunnel and computer testing, Lexus’ team of designers, engineers, and Takumi artisans crafted an aluminum prototype of the rear wing. Later, it was produced in a lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced plastic, known as CFRP. The end result improves high-speed stability without increasing drag, and test drivers say that you can really feel the difference on a straight.