PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Lexus targets M3 coupe

Lexus is loathe to admit it, but the menacing LF-CC coupe concept that debuted at this week’s Paris motor show is a thinly-disguised preview of the Japanese luxury brand’s first direct rival for BMW’s benchmark M3 Coupe, as well as its next-generation IS sedan and IS hybrid.

Asked if the LF-CC was an accurate indication of the design of the new IS sedan, which will be launched in Los Angeles in November, Lexus International President Kiyotaka Ise told motoring.com.au: “I’m not really in a position to say, but I’m not denying it either...”

Officially, Lexus says the LF-CC heralds “a rear-wheel drive mid-size coupe in the very near future”, with Mr Ise indicating it is an accurate representation of the Toyota premium brand’s first two-door IS coupe.

“Yes, this is a similar size and type of car (to the existing IS),” he offered, before saying there was “no exact date” confirmed for release but that it would be available within “one or two years”.

If fitted with the same 5.0-litre V8 as the current IS F sedan, the two-door production model would constitute Lexus’ first direct competitor for the M3 Coupe, a new generation of which is currently under development by BMW.

“This is not an IS coupe,” Ise-san cautioned, “but the product will meet your expectations.”

The LF-CC show car is powered by a new-generation 2.5-litre petrol-electric drivetrain – essentially the Camry Hybrid powertrain – indicating the new car will also be the first IS available with hybrid power.

Lexus says it is targeting CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km with the new-generation hybrid system.

The 2+2-seat LF-CC mid-sizer should not be confused with the larger LF-LC hybrid coupe concept revealed at the Detroit show in January.

Lexus said recently the LF-LC – a “development” of which will be revealed at next month’s Sydney show – was a 50/50 chance for production by 2015, but Mr Ise indicated it would hit the road sooner rather than later.

“LF-LC was launched as a design study, but because of the good response we are trying to develop it into a production model as soon as possible,” he said.

Both the new LF-CC and LF-LC hybrid coupe concepts – and the limited-edition $700,000 LFA supercar – are designed to inject more emotion into the Lexus brand.

Product development of the new models is being fast-tracked by the new Lexus International division headed by Mr Ise, who reports directly to Toyota Motor Corporation president, Akio Toyoda.

The Lexus executive would not be drawn on a timeframe for the first compact SUV from Lexus, which is understood to be in development based on the redesigned Toyota RAV4.

The new RAV4 is scheduled to make its world debut at the LA show, alongside the new IS sedan.

Read more Paris Motor Show stories at motoring.com.au

See all the photos from the Paris Motor Show at motoring.com.au

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