Giorgetto Giugiaro, who was responsible for designing the successful standard Punto, developed his original concepts towards a high-performance sporty car. This is a research model for an aerodynamic 2+2 coupe which betrays the influence of aircraft design. The Firepoint has a two-box body. From a structural point of view, the exterior design is split up into two distinct, immediately identifiable elements: the roof and the main body. The roof traces a totally transparent drop-shaped cupola. It is the most outstanding feature of the car and enhances the general aerodynamic effect by conjuring up the impression of a fighter cockpit. The windscreen is very characteristic. Its shape is wraparound and the reversed front pillar looks just like the one on aircrafts and 50s and 60s sports cars.

Although the floorpan of the 8-cylinder, 4x4 Lexus GS 300 has been retained and the mechanicals left substantially as they were, it has been possible to make the new car almost 60 cm shorter, mainly by cropping the rear jutting edge by about 50 cm. Nor has this in any way jeopardised ride space: on the contrary, by relocating the fuel tank under the rear seats (originally it was behind them), it has been possible to raise the roof by about 5 cm and hence create more room than before. The name Landau in itself suggests the direction Giugiaro's design has followed. The landau was a four-wheeled, horse-drawn luxury carriage much in vogue in the last century. It was named after the town in Germany where it was made. Its distinctive feature was its tall cabin, with rear wheels positioned extremely close to the tail and a luggage compartment that was often applied externally. Likewise, the line of the new Lexus Landau, with its cropped tail and 2-box body, is characterized by the position of the rear wheels: they give the optical impression that they are tacked on to the body, thus conjuring up visions of 20s and 30s cars. The cabin is unusually high too.

This was a unique opportunity for Giugiaro to introduce this out and out sports car to a suitably competent audience. In order to transform the Nazca C2 into a spider the designer modified the rear end by restyling it. The side and the rear windows were removed so that the car open, but if rain comes quick re-assembly of the windows provides prompt shelter. The door glasses are stored in the large luggage compartment. For effect, a large rollbar painted the same colour as the coachwork lies flush with the upper part of the side. The engine compartment, which was hidden in the previous version by the rear window, is now apparent. It has been redesigned to emphasize the already remarkable design of the BMW 12 cylinder engine.

In collaboration with Seat's Catalan Styling Centre, Giugiaro developed this flowing, wedge-shaped saloon and also its different versions. The highish belt line is a family feature. To the rear of the roof, a slender arch curls round the third side window and along the luggage compartment, conjuring up a sense of dynamism reminiscent of a robust, safe sports car. Albeit curved, the front of the Cordoba reiterates the Toledo and the new Ibiza in its horizontal light cluster-radiator grille with wraparound parking lights. The 2.0 litre ABF engine in this model was also used in the third-generation Golf GTi and the first Ibiza Cupra.