Haruhiko Tanahashi
| Haruhiko Tanahashi | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Engineering career | |
| Engineering discipline | Mechanical engineering |
| Employer(s) | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Significant projects | P280 program |
| Significant design | Lexus LFA |
Haruhiko Tanahashi (棚橋晴彦 Haruhiko Tanahashi) is a Japanese automotive engineer who was 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 P280, comprised over a decade of his career until the debut of the vehicle in 2009.[2] Tanahashi holds eight automotive design patents,[3] previously worked on earlier models including the Toyota Crown, Soarer and Aristo, and has been part of various Toyota and Lexus development divisions.[1]
Career
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.[3] His work on the first generation Soarer included a patent for the vehicle's "electronic modulated air suspension";[3] other inventions included a "rack and pinion type steering gear device"[4] and "twin-tube type shock absorber".[5]
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]
Chief engineer
In 2000, Lexus had begun project P280, which intended to create a supercar concept which would showcase 200-mph performance capabilities.[6] 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.[2] 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.[2]
Tanahashi's stated goal with the LFA was to produce "ultimate driving pleasure".[2] 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.[2] Following the completion of the LFA design program, Tanahashi remained at his current position within the Lexus Development Center.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi". Toyota.co.jp. Retrieved 2010-01-03.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Questions with Haruhiko Tanahashi - We talk with the Lexus LFA Chief Engineer". Road & Track Magazine. Retrieved 2009-10-22.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Tanahashi Haruhiko, Inventor, Toyota, JP". Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ↑ "Rack and pinion type steering gear device - Patent 4593578". Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ↑ "Twin-tube type shock absorber patent". Patentlens.net. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
- ↑ "2007 Lexus Lf-A - First Look". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
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