Softer Lexus hybrid coupes to follow hard-core LFA

The “difficult second album” is a standard part of the success narrative in the music industry. Where to go when you’ve come up with a work deemed a masterpiece first time round?

Many might argue that description of Lexus’s LFA, pitched as it was into a segment ruled by Italian histrionics. But there’s no denying it fulfilled its intended function of flashing the marque’s technical mettle.

Whatever trouble they had selling it out was well countered by universal gasps from the cockpit. Even the compulsively contrary Jeremy Clarkson declared it among the finest roadware he’d ever worn.

Now, what next?

Faced with the question in the wake of the LFA’s success, Lexus Australia’s Corporate Manager for Marketing and Communications, Peter Evans, told motoring.com.au the best evidence lies in the way Toyota’s European sales and marketing boss, Karl Schlicht, has dealt with the same question.

Quizzed on the extent of his company’s future coupe line-up, Mr Schlicht has told media “it would be churlish to only build one” after putting several on show in 2011 and 2012.

“Not hard to infer what’s in the pipeline from that,” Mr Evans said. He was unwilling to go into any further detail about models or specs, let alone pricing and the like. “It’s way too early to speculate,” he added.

The company looks on the LFA as a resounding success as a technology statement and an opening bid for a spot on the supercar map. It was sold as bespoke product, with the $750K pricetag covering a trip to the factory for custom cockpit-fitting.

Despite the asking deposit of $100K, the Aussie quotient of nine (the company’s local office retained the tenth for itself) was spoken for well in advance of delivery.

While the 500-strong build proved ambitious for a newcomer to such hallowed ground, especially in the wake of the global financial crisis, the local allocation was exactly right, Mr Evans said.

“We had the chance to grab more towards the end of the build, but it turned out we’d sold all we could.” Production ceased in December 2012.

It’s uncertain whether the company will follow up the LFA with another tilt at the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren. At this point, Lexus looks more likely to come up with something a little less ambitious and more affordable, pitched perhaps towards Benz’s SL or BMW’s 6 Series.

Mr Evans said nothing has been scheduled yet. “No, at the moment [chief engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi] is collating what they’ve learnt from the LFA and calculating ways of applying it to future product – things like the patented carbon-fibre 3D weaving loom. Hopefully they’ll give Tanahashi-san another ‘challenge’.”

Two main factors point observers in the direction the company will likely take in drivetrains. Firstly, there’s the global emissions legislation noose tightening around large-capacity fossil-fuellers like the 4.8-litre V10 powering the LFA.

Secondly, there’s Toyota’s famous recalcitrance on the matter of all-electric power, expressed in repeated assertions of its commitment to petrol-electric hybrid power in the short- to mid-term.

So there’s plenty to suggest that near-future sports models will likely take their cues from the two highest-profile concepts the company has shown over the last couple of years: the large LF-LC and the mid-size LF-CC coupes. Both use petrol-electric drivetrains hailing from Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (aka Lexus Hybrid Drive) parallel-hybrid formula.

On the more affordable side, the LF CC coupe concept has more than a hint of the next IS about it. Indeed, the production version is certain to be pitched against existing mid-size coupes from Benz (C-Class), BMW (3 Series, soon to become 4) and Audi (A5).

Reports from Europe point to a 2015 launch with conventional petrol variants alongside the “all-new” 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain seen in the concept. It will probably retain the IS badge, although Lexus hasn’t confirmed the reason it trademarked the RC name last year.

That nomenclature might also be reserved for something upmarket, alluded to by the other high-profile coupe concept that’s done the international show rounds since the Detroit show in early 2012.

The LF-LC’s appearance in two incarnations – first the red one in Detroit, then the blue update shown in Sydney last October – suggests the company is serious about readying it for market.

Again, Lexus has been sparing on detail about the hybrid drivetrain, but it has let slip a figure of 372kW for the big 2+2, which is expected to be powered by a development of the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid drive system from the GS and RX.

While that’s a 45kW hike over the 5.0-litre V8-based hybrid package in the LS600hL, it’s more in line with high-end volume fare of the SL and 6 Series variety than the LFA.

In their respective contexts, both coupes as described here fit much more neatly with Lexus’s volume luxury brand ambitions than another high-risk performance statement.

That said, whatever emerges will mark -- technically or spiritually -- a decisive departure from products like the unloved SC.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…