Lexus plans hi-po assault

Lexus is gearing up to blitz the Detroit motor show, with two new performance cars expected to break cover.

It's not clear which two tyre-shredding Lexus models will make their debut at the 2015 Detroit motor show which kicks off on January 13, as the company has a number of high-output vehicles in the pipeline.

Possible starters for Detroit include the next GS F and IS F, high performance version of the GS and IS large and medium luxury sedans.

Expected to be powered by the same atmo 5.0-litre V8 powering the RC F coupe, the new GS F could bang out 351kW and 550Nm. That said, Lexus may spring a surprise in Detroit, with a more powerful version allowing the top-shelf GS performance model to match its 400kW-plus German rivals, such as the BMW M5 and Mercedes E 63 AMG.

The Lexus IS F is also due to make an appearance soon, and almost guaranteed to get the same 5.0-litre V8 as the RC F, and should accelerate from 0-100km/h in a similar time to that car, a rapid-fire 4.4 seconds. The RC F also does a 12.5 second quarter mile and has a 270km/h top speed.

There's also the chance we could see production versions of Lexus concept cars, primarily the LF-C2 concept shown at the 2014 Los Angeles motor show in November. The sharply-styled convertible could take the name RC convertible and would add an effective tool to attract more buyers into showrooms.

A less likely starter is the production version of the LF-LC, which has been shopped around in concept form since the 2012 Detroit motor show, including in Australia. It was recently confirmed for production by Lexus Europe vice-president Alain Uyttenhoven, and is expected to go on sale in 2016.

It won't be as hard core as the hard-charging V10-powered, carbon-encrusted Lexus LFA, but by the same token the LF-LC won't be limited to 500 units either.

Lexus, a Japanese luxury brand owned by Toyota, recently trademarked two names, LC 500 and LC 500h. Ergo, it could be the name planned for the lavish new sports car rumoured to be based on a shortened version of the next-generation Lexus LS limousine's platform.

Power sources are yet to be confirmed, and price is yet to be officially revealed, but there's plenty of talk around the $150,000 mark. A potent 373kW hybrid version of the brand's 3.5-litre V6 could also be on the cards.

Lexus is planning to go large at the 2015 Detroit motor show, as the USA is one of its biggest markets. The company used to be the number one luxury brand in that market, outselling Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. But in early 2011, the Japanese tsunami and earthquake impacted production and Lexus sales slumped as a result.

Since then Lexus has slowly clawed its way back up sales charts in the US, and is clearly keen to maintain momentum with a couple of show stoppers in Detroit, North America's biggest motor show.