Lexus LC coupe confirmed

Lexus insiders have confirmed the Toyota owned brand has finalised a production version of its LF-LC concept coupe and is set to debut a new generation of its flagship LS sedan

Voted the Best Concept Car at the 2013 Detroit motor show, the LF-LC concept sported an aggressive interpretation of the company’s signature ‘spindle grille,’ sweeping lines, huge front brake ducts and massive 20-inch wheels.

The production LC will be toned down somewhat but will have go to match its show — it’s expected to use an updated version of the V8 which stars in the current RC-F coupe.

Lexus insiders say the LC 500’s V8 will develop around 350kW. Heading the coupe line-up (at least until an LC-F hottie surfaces) will be an LC 500h version which will employ a V8 hybrid combination pumping out upwards of 405kW.

Production is slated to commence in November 2016. The coupe is expected in US showrooms in the first half of 2017 and then in Australia by the end of that year.

Closer to home, the next generation of Lexus’ LS large saloon will debut at this October’s Tokyo motor show.

Apart from upping the ante on luxury, refinement and safety, the new LS is tipped to introduce the latest version of Toyota’s autonomous driving technology.

On the wind-in-the-hair front, a convertible version of the RC is being readied for production and is expected to go on sale internationally in 2016. The ‘RC-C’ will incorporate an aluminium retractable roof to minimize weight.

A convertible version of the flagship RC F is also under “serious consideration”.

Our insider also revealed that the upcoming GS F (which made a surprise appearance at last week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed) has been significantly differentiated from its RC F sibling in terms of handling and character.

While the RC F offers drivers the luxury of switching modes and blasting around a racetrack sideways, the GS F has been tuned as a GT car with a more compliant suspension that is more at home on long highway cruises.