Lexus LF-CC gets green light, Evoque rival under consideration

Chris Paukert — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:15:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

While wandering the floor at this week's LA Auto Show, we had a bit of an epiphany at the Lexus stand. The traditionally stodgy Toyota premium outlet is really starting to come into its own in terms of exciting design. And not just with production models like the excellent new GS sedan. At the front of the display, a triangular formation of plinths was a feast for the eyes - the head was formed by the LFA Nurburgring Package supercar, flanked on either side by the company's outré LF-LC and LF-CC concept cars.

So consider it welcome news on our end that the LF-CC concept shown above has apparently been given the production green light, with a projected arrival by 2015. So says Autocar, which quotes an unnamed source at Lexus willing to confirm that a senior engineer has been tasked with the project. The British publication suggests that the production version of the 2012 Paris Motor Show star will probably be built in both coupe and convertible formats and ride atop the automaker's new modular rear-wheel drive architecture. Power is expected to be an evolution of the GS 350h's hybrid drivetrain.

In other news, that same shadowy source at Lexus has reportedly confirmed that the Japanese luxury brand is "seriously studying" offering a small SUV in the mold of the stylish Range Rover Evoque from Land Rover, though no further details are given. Lexus' own RX crossover range has long been a massive hit for the brand, leaving many industry analysts scratching their heads as to why the automaker hasn't already expanded its crossover offerings to include both larger and smaller formats.

Lexus LF-CC gets green light, Evoque rival under consideration originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LF-CC Concept is a tidy, welcome look into brand's future [w/video]

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

Wider and lower than it appears in the press photos, the Lexus LF-CC concept is an exceptionally crisp evolution of Lexus' L-Finesse design language - in fact, once away from the oversized spindle grille, just following the lines of the coupe leads one to think of origami. The coupe takes pointers from the LF-LC concept shown earlier this way and is said to show the way to the aesthetics we'll see on the next-generation IS. Details like the front end that appears to be mostly intake, those uncovered LED headlights, Baroque mirrors and taillights will almost certainly disappear into the good night, but the overall body shape coated in Fluid Titanium hue is sleek, well defined and ready for the road.

Inside is Lexus' next stage in touchscreen interiors, the Human Machine Interface this time broken into an upper "Display Zone" and a lower "Operation Zone." That latter area contains a "touch tracer display" behind the shift lever where the driver can alter his environment with a fingertip.

Underhood is a 2.5-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, further assisted by a generator, the whole system tied to a brain that optimizes where power comes from and where it goes. We don't know how much of the rest of the car we'll see, but Lexus says this hybrid powertrain will come to a production vehicle. Scroll below to watch a pair of videos and see the press release for more information.

Continue reading Lexus LF-CC Concept is a tidy, welcome look into brand's future [w/video]

Lexus LF-CC Concept is a tidy, welcome look into brand's future [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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