Tuesday 10th January 2012

Detroit show: Lexus LF-LC

New coupe concept hints at possible Merc SL rival

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You may have already seen the new Lexus LF-LC hybrid coupe concept courtesy of the story we published a little while back, but here it is strutting its stuff under the lights of the Detroit motor show.

The slinky 2+2 is of course mostly pure motor show glitz, a design study hinting at "design cues that are coming in a wave of new Lexus models over the next two years."

Teased pre-show, the Lexus is now revealed

But it is also a hint that Lexus is seriously looking into the large coupe segment, a market it departed when it ditched the largely unloved (and largely unlovely) SC430 folding hard-top.

If the LF-LC does bear production fruit, expect it to take the form of a rival for the new Mercedes SL, most likely as a hybrid V8.

[paul_k]

Just hope they don't water the styling down too much and price it sensibly.
Still don't understand why UK journos (and people that have never driven one) don't like the SC
It is one of the best chill out cars around. Mine has never gone wrong in 5 years and 70,000 miles.

[soad]

Looks surprisingly good.

[fildigger]

hint of Alfa Romeo styling in there ...Ok the front grille is a bit suspect but hands up to Lexus (the japanese) for getting some sexy 'in yer face' looks on the street (we hope)....I for one would buy it over the teutonic rivals, mainly because it's different and is going to be on a par, if not better!

[Auxois]

Since when did the SL have four seats? Looking good overall though, certainly isn't the typical Lexus-design.

[FraserLFA]

paul_k said:

Just hope they don't water the styling down too much and price it sensibly.
Still don't understand why UK journos (and people that have never driven one) don't like the SC
It is one of the best chill out cars around. Mine has never gone wrong in 5 years and 70,000 miles.

No one said they go wrong. After all, Lexus are the only thing other than cockroaches that will survive a nuclear fallout.

[Andy665]

Auxois said:

Since when did the SL have four seats? Looking good overall though, certainly isn't the typical Lexus-design.

Only stopped having the option of four seat with the demise of the R129

[vintageracer01]

WTF ???

Do they have a design department ???

[El Guapo]

The Playstation generation will love it.

[FraserLFA]

El Guapo said:

The Playstation generation will love it.

I think it's fantastic By the time it's calmed down like the LFA was, it'll be fantastic.

[mr2j]

looks great but is the rubber supposed to catch the arches every time it sees a bump? it seems to be a running theme with concepts that the wheels have to be as big and shiny as possible.