It's one LF-A Roadster

Forget about fuel-miserly hybrids, Lexus was showcasing performance at Motown -- in particular, the latest chapter in its supercar saga.

And if the lines are familiar, relax, you're not seeing things. Appearing in a bevy of guises at motor shows across the globe (including locally) since 2005, North American International Auto Show's (NAIAS) LF-A Roadster must surely be the last 'showcar' version of Lexus long-awaited performance flagship we're going to be subjected to.

Powered by the same 5.0-litre V10 as the coupe (more here), the LF-A Roadster has been tested to speeds exceeding 330km/h, claims Lexus. But it is speed that reportedly is holding the big coupe and convertible on the drawing board and away from production. If you believe rumour, the car is still not fast enough to satisfy the burghers at Lexus HQ.

Our spies reckon 350km/h is the Japanese marque's target for the flagship sportscar which will use a significant amount of carbon-fibre structure in its final iteration.

Meantime, the Detroit concept rides on 20-inch alloy wheels, with 265/35 R20 tyres at the front and 305/30 R20 tyres at the rear. Braking is handled by six-piston calipers for the front wheels and four-piston calipers at the rear, with cross-drilled, ventilated discs all 'round -- measuring 361mm diameter at the front and 345mm at the rear.

There's only been minor changes to the coupe's lines in the transformation to open car: evidence the Lexus designers decided in advance of the coupe that there would be a roadster version as well.

Whether those shared lines will make it to production, remains the $250,000 question.

What has hit the streets in the USA is Lexus' own performance aftermarket arm. F-Sport offers a range of go-fast goodies to US buyers of the latest IS series vehicles.

Lexus' Detroit stand featured the full range of F-Sport goodies along with a brace of the company's new turnkey hotrod, the 5.0-litre V8-engined IS-F.

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