Autoblog

Lexus LF-LC Concept goes blue, remains happy

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, LA Auto Show, Coupe, Lexus

Until the day when we can see a production version of the Lexus LF-LC Concept, we'll just make do with seeing the sleek two-door in different colors for now. After first showing us the car in a Candy Apple Red color at the Detroit Auto Show, Lexus has brought its LF-LC Blue (in a deep ocean blue) from Down Under to LA.

Aside from the new color, there's nothing new for us to see here. That means we were still ogling over its flowing body lines, impressed by its 500-horsepower hybrid drive system and looking forward to possibly seeing the car go into production.

Lexus LF-LC Concept goes blue, remains happy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Nov 2012 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus shows LF-LC Blue at Australian auto show

George Kennedy — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Lexus, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, Design/Style

Lexus has chosen the Australian International Motor Show to unveil the second iteration of its LF-LC concept car. This version is called the LF-LC Blue, and is a followup to the original LF-LC that debuted in Detroit earlier this year. As you might expect, the car is shod in a color called 'Opal Blue,' and is inspired by the semi-precious opal stone found in the Australian Outback.

In addition to the new color, we finally get (some) details on the hybrid powertrain that propels this elegant concept. The Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive system features an Atkinson-cycle gas engine, combined with an "advanced high-energy battery pack" and an electric motor. According to Lexus, the gas/electric hybrid setup conspires to produce 500 horsepower, though the power split between gas and electric it not specified.

According to Tony Cramb of Lexus Australia, the LF-LC Blue is a vision into the future of sports cars. "Its good looks mask some very exciting design and engineering innovations that will influence Lexus vehicles in the future." Cramb continued, "LF-LC is part concept, part reality: the concept hints at what's to come from Lexus." That is, in fact, the point of a concept car, so Cramb gets points for accuracy.

Lexus also highlights the interior of the LF-LC Blue, including what appears to be the next-generation of Remote Touch. Rather than a joystick controller, like its current incarnation, the 12.3-inch LCD screen is operated by a separate, smaller touch screen control board at the driver's fingertips. The touch screen can pop up and provides the driver with a keyboard. Like the current setup, this new form of Remote Touch controls climate, audio and navigation systems.

Show-goers Down Under can enjoy the LF-LC Blue at the Australian International Motor Show from October 19th to the 28th. To find out about the blue-hued concept, scroll down to get the press release and check out the gallery above.

Continue reading Lexus shows LF-LC Blue at Australian auto show

Lexus shows LF-LC Blue at Australian auto show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Lexus LF-LC concept to debut Down Under

Jeff Sabatini — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST

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

If you haven't seen enough of the Norelco-inspired Lexus concept from this year's Detroit show, just wait until October. The Australian International Motor Show has formally announced that Lexus will be bringing a hybrid coupe concept to the Sydney show floor, reportedly another version of the LF-LC that graced Cobo nine months earlier.

Car Advice says that the Aussie concept is likely to be differentiated from the concept we've already seen by employing an all-wheel-drive powertrain. Its gas-electric hybrid driveline is said to produce close to 500 horsepower, though we reserve the right to remain skeptical of anything still wearing a "concept" label, especially a vehicle that's likely three or four years out from production, assuming it gets the green light at all.

Scroll down to read the official press release from AIMS.

Continue reading New Lexus LF-LC concept to debut Down Under

New Lexus LF-LC concept to debut Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Aug 2012 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LF-LC production-bound based on positive reaction?

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

Six months ago, at the Detroit Auto Show, the Lexus LF-LC Concept was just that and only, stricly that: a concept. Three months ago, after praise from the four corners and a design award - and did we mention praise from just about everywhere? - Autocar reported that the concept was given 50-50 odds of production by Karl Schlicht, who was Lexus' head of product planning at the time.

Now, four months after that, Schlicht is the head of product planning for Toyota and Lexus, and a report in Automotive News says the swoopy 2+2 hybrid Lexus coupe is "on track for development" and "almost certainly will come to market." Lexus even sent a block of crystal containing a 3D etching of the LF-LC to dealers, by way of suggesting that if dealers sold 27,500 Lexus GS sedans, they'd get the LF-LC to sell.

This is all still insider trading, so it's certainly possible that an LF-LC production car won't happen. However, Lexus has motive: after 11 years at the top of the U.S. luxury car race, it fell two big notches to number three. It is partly responsible for BMW and Mercedes-Benz raising their games, and Lexus knows it needs more engaging products if it's going to regain the top spot. The kudos that the LF-LC received is just the kind of kindling to help stoke the brand fire again.

Since it's so early in the game, we have no idea how much will make it from the auto show floor to the dealer floor if it happens at all. But it's said the retail version will be slotted against the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a corner of the playground where all kinds of exciting things are possible.

Lexus LF-LC production-bound based on positive reaction? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota working on even more exotic followup to Lexus LFA?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Lexus

Many countries have produced supercars with price tags that dip into the six figures, but that rare breed of exotic that fetches upwards of a quarter million is all but completely exclusive to Europe: Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani out of Italy, Bugatti from France, McLaren and higher-end Aston Martin models of Britain, top-of-the-line Porsche offerings from Germany, Koenigsegg of Sweden and so on. That's what makes the Lexus LFA so exceptional. It extends beyond the Acura NSX and the Nissan GT-R that previously defined the top end of Japanese supercars and joins its European rivals at the very top of the market. But that, we're reading, is only the beginning.

According to a shadowy anonymous source cornered by AutoGuide, Toyota is already working on a successor to the LFA, and their mole says the car will be even more exotic, more powerful and more expensive. Just what that entails when the LFA is already limited to 500 examples, packs a 552-horsepower 4.8-liter V10 and costs $375,000 has us conjuring up images of an animé take on the Bugatti Veyron. AG suggests the car could nudge the million-dollar mark with production limited to just 100 examples.

Could it be a production version of the LF-LC concept? It's probably too early to tell. In fact, we're going to go ahead and take this entire rumor with a few shakers-worth of salt and advise you to consider doing the same.

Toyota working on even more exotic followup to Lexus LFA? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus LF-LC super coupe concept pondered for production

Zach Bowman — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:28:00 EST

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

Autocar reports Lexus may be mulling a production version of the company's LF-LC Concept. After receiving a near universally positive reception following its unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show this year, Karl Schlicht, head of Lexus product planning, reportedly gave the vehicle a 50-50 shot at hitting dealers sometime in the future. Those aren't great odds, but it is a change of tone from when the vehicle first hit the stage. Back in January, Toyota made it very clear the LF-LC was strictly a concept. As you may recall, the vehicle is a 2+2 coupe with a hybrid drivetrain and a low-slung presence.

According to Schlicht, the vehicle would have never even been considered for production if it had merely been submitted as a design proposal. With a physical concept backed by chorus of positive reviews, the company's decision makers have evidently been prompted to give the LF-LC a second look.

Schlicht himself is set to become the head of product planning for Toyota and Lexus starting on April 1.

Lexus LF-LC super coupe concept pondered for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Fusion, Lexus LF-LC win Eyes on Design awards

John Neff — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Ford, Lexus, Design/Style

Every year at the Detroit Auto Show, the Eyes on Design awards honors the best designs among production vehicles and concepts debuting that year. Unlike, say, the North American International Car and Truck of the Year awards, the only vehicles eligible for an Eyes on Design award are the ones that introduce themselves to the world - well, really just North America - in Detroit.

What's particularly interesting is that the judges for these two awards (one for production vehicles and the other for concepts) are all active or retired designers themselves, so they know a little something about the topic. This year's group includes, among others, Volkswagen head of design Walter de Silva, President and CEO of SRT Ralph Gilles, and GM Vice President of Global Design Ed Welburn.

This year, the Eyes on Design awards were handed out to the 2013 Ford Fusion in the production category and the Lexus LF-LC in the concept category. The Fusion's fellow finalists were the 2013 BMW 3 Series and 2013 Cadillac ATS, while the LF-LC eked out a W over the Chevrolet Tru 140S and Lincoln MKZ.

Ford Fusion, Lexus LF-LC win Eyes on Design awards originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LF-LC concept proves Lexus can do sexy sports coupes

Chris Shunk — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Lexus

The Lexus LF-LC concept has been leaking on the Internet longer than most Detroit-bound reveals, but that doesn't make the 2+2 coupe any less stunning. The concept clearly shows the design progression that started with the CT 200h and made real strides with the 2013 GS.

The hot-looking coupe was penned by Lexus' Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California. It comes as no surprise to us that this rolling design study also packs hybrid power, but Lexus claims that the sleek sports car will also deliver cutting-edge driving dynamics.

We're all for a Lexus with track aspirations, but this coupe is a design study that promises to further reveal the future of Lexus design. The LF-LC boldly displays Lexus' new spindle grill, while also mixing in sharp angles and elegant curves. The LF-LC also suggests to us that the LF-A may not be a one-and-done foray into the exotic sports coupe segment, but at the same time Lexus promises that the LF-LC could "remain within reach for premium buyers."

Outside of audacious LED headlamps and about two inches of ground clearance the exterior of the LF-LC looks production ready. The same cannot be said for the futuristic but still very cool cabin. the cabin is dominated by rich leather, tons of suede, thin yet elegant seats and more polished wood than a bowling alley. Actually, the center stack looks like it could spit out a 14-pound ball with three holes, and that's not a bad thing.

The tech story is equally impressive, as a pair of 12.3-inch screens that pull information and navigation duties, respectively. The impressive screen dominating the center stack is of the touch-sensitive variety, and it also controls audio, climate and navigation. The LF-LC also features a keyboard that helps the driver with more complex entries... hopefully for when this high-end Lexus remains in park. Lexus has gone further still with the touch tech, as doors, windows, mirrors, seats and entertainment systems are all manipulated through similar controls on the doors.

The LF-LC is clearly a concept vehicle, but it's definitely sexy enough to help improve the design forecast for the (still) visually underwhelming Lexus lineup. We're hoping to get more information on what the LF-LC has under the hood when it is officially unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show momentarily. Hit the jump to read over the Lexus press release and feel free to click through the high-resolution image gallery above.

Continue reading LF-LC concept proves Lexus can do sexy sports coupes

LF-LC concept proves Lexus can do sexy sports coupes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More photos of hybrid Lexus LF-LC Concept hit the web [UPDATE]

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:56:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

Thanks to our friends over at Road & Track jumping the embargo gun, we received our first sneak peak of the Lexus LF-LC Concept. Now the rest of the story has been published, with R&T taking a thorough look at how Toyota's California-based Calty Design Research facility came up with the look of the racy hybrid 2+2 coupe.

"Only a few written attributes were given as criteria: avant-garde beauty, originality, driving joy and unequaled technology," according to the story, which says Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda himself weighed in with a mandate that the car "have the 'wow' factor."

Lexus has been working on the LF-LC Concept for a year and a half, so the concept is no mere auto show roller. That kind of attention-to-detail shows in the new photos, especially inside the car. A finely detailed interior with wave designs stitched into the leather door panels is a nice touch that reinforces the car's exterior design language, which R&T says Lexus is calling "tumbling ribbon." The car also has a multi-layered instrument panel that looks like it could have been inspired by any number of sci-fi video games.

One thing missing from the article is any further information about the hybrid drivetrain system in the car. Curiously, while the press release on Toyota's Japanese website announcing that it would be unveiling the car mentions "Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive," that line was omitted from the release on the American site. Apparently we'll have to wait until the car's official reveal at the Detroit Auto Show on January 9 to find out what (if anything) is under the hood of the LF-LC.

There's plenty more to take in, including two new beauty shots from Autocar, so be sure to check out all the photos in the gallery.

UPDATE: Lexus has released two high-res images and we've added them to the gallery above.

More photos of hybrid Lexus LF-LC Concept hit the web [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus releases official LF-LC image

Steven J. Ewing — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Lexus

Thanks to the folks at Road & Track, we got our first glimpse at the Detroit-bound Lexus LF-LC concept yesterday, and to follow suit, Lexus has released its first official image showing the new two-plus-two in all its glory. We don't know much about the new coupe, except that the design was "crafted from a clean sheet of paper," and that "the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine."

Alright then.

We've suggested that the LF-LC could be a Lexus LS-based coupe to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL and BMW 6 Series, but we won't know exactly what's in store until the concept car is revealed next month. For now, scroll through our attached image galleries - one of the official Lexus shots, the other of the leaked R&T images - and follow the jump for Lexus' brief press release.

Continue reading Lexus releases official LF-LC image

Lexus releases official LF-LC image originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Road & Track leaks Lexus LF-Lc concept

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:55:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

We're still a couple weeks away from the Detroit Auto Show, but the Lexus LF-Lc concept has leaked thanks to the crew at Road & Track and their YouTube account.

We still don't know much about Lexus' Detroit-bound concept, but the swoopy coupe combines some of the more emotive elements of the LFA, along with the grille of the LF-Gh concept that eventually formed the basis of the Lexus GS. The massively elongated hood terminates with headlamps that plummet deep into the air intakes and a more extreme grille than that found on the Predator-esque fascia of the Gh.

With an "Lc" designation, this could signal Lexus' intention of building an LS-based coupe to take on the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL, but until the official curtains are pulled in Detroit, we'll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, check out the video after the jump for the unintentional early reveal. As long as it stays on YouTube...

Continue reading Road & Track leaks Lexus LF-Lc concept

Road & Track leaks Lexus LF-Lc concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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