Pixelated images of the Lexus LF-Lc emerged prematurely a couple of weeks ago, and now the Japanese carmaker has itself released good-quality pics of the rakish two-door concept.
The boldly styled design study is a new take on the brand's 'L-Finesse' styling philosophy and previews a high-end 2+2 coupe that could supplement the Lexus line-up over the coming years.
The latest pics reveal the LF-Lc has classic front-engine/rear-drive GT proportions and in profile there's a slight hint of Ferrari 599 about its proportions. Meanwhile, the radical face is an extension of the design language first seen in the LF-Gh concept that debuted at last year's New York motor show.
In keeping with the company's nomenclature, the 'LF' in the concept's name stands for Lexus Future, while the L in 'Lc' is likely to indicate the eventual production car's intended positioning alongside the LS in the premium end of the market.
The 'c' could refer to the concept's coupe configuration. Such a vehicle would certainly make sense given the void left by the demise of the ungainly SC430 in 2010.
Some sources have suggested the production-ready LF-Lc (provided it gets the green light) will use a truncated version of the platform destined for the next-gen LS that debuts in 2014, while propulsion is likely to come from a high-tech hybrid powertrain. Lexus mentions the phrase "Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive",
It's believed the car will be pitched as a rival to the likes of the all-new Honda NSX, which means it'll be a far more affordable proposition than the megabuck V10-powered LFA.
We'll be able to tell you more following its imminent unveiling at the Detroit show. Stay tuned...
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