A major contributor to this article appears to have a
close connection with its subject. (April 2021) |
Haruhiko Tanahashi | |
---|---|
Nationality | Japanese |
Occupation | Engineer |
Engineering career | |
Discipline | Mechanical engineering |
Employer(s) | Toyota Motor Corporation |
Projects | P280 program |
Significant design | Lexus LFA |
Haruhiko Tanahashi (棚橋晴彦, Haruhiko Tanahashi) is a Japanese automotive engineer who is responsible for the design and construction of the Lexus LFA supercar. Tanahashi joined Toyota Motor Corporation in 1978 as a chassis engineer, and has since worked in new vehicle design for over 30 years. [1] The LFA development program, begun as project 680, [2] comprised over a decade of his career until the debut of the vehicle in 2009. [3] Tanahashi holds eight automotive design patents, [4] previously worked on earlier models including the Toyota Crown, Soarer and Aristo, and has been part of various Toyota and Lexus development divisions. [1]
Tanahashi was hired by Toyota Motor Corporation in 1978, whereupon he was first assigned to the Chassis Engineering Division. [1] There, he worked as a suspension engineer on vehicles such as the rear wheel drive Toyota Mark II, Crown, Soarer, and Aristo, along with the front wheel drive Toyota Corona, Corolla, and Celica. [1] In December 1982 Tanahashi filed for his first U.S. patent, regarding the "upper support structure for front wheel suspension of automobile", which was granted in 1984. [4] His work on the first generation Soarer included a patent for the vehicle's "electronic modulated air suspension"; [4] other inventions included a " rack and pinion type steering gear device" [5] and "twin-tube type shock absorber". [6]
In 1992, Tanahashi was transferred to Toyota's Body Engineering Division, where he worked on passenger vehicle suspension architecture, and in 1995 he moved to Development Department 1 of the company's Advanced Vehicle Planning Division to oversee development of new vehicles, platforms, and technologies. [1]
In 2000, Lexus had begun project P280, which intended to create a supercar concept which would showcase 200-mph performance capabilities. [7] In 2001, Tanahashi was promoted to the Lexus Development Center's newly founded Z department, where he was placed in charge of LFA development. [1] The supercar design program opted for a front mid-engine configuration, an approach Tanahashi favored for its combination of dynamics and safety. [3] The vehicle development process was unprecedented in the company's history, exceeding the previous Toyota Supra in performance class, and requiring new engine, cooling, clutch technologies. [3]
Tanahashi's stated goal with the LFA was to produce "ultimate driving pleasure". [3] At the culmination of the development process, Tanahashi remarked in an interview that he was most proud of the car's engine sound, its engine response, and handling. [3] Following the completion of the LFA design program, Tanahashi remained at his current position within the Lexus Development Center. [1]