If you have not noticed, Lexus doesn’t have a coupe model for the masses. The LFA is a technical tour-de-force, but it comes with a ridiculous price tag and a production run of only 500 units, making it essentially a halo car that displays the brand’s capabilities. The only other two-door model is the IS CC, which is a hardtop convertible.
Now this space will be filled with the production version of the LF-CC concept that premiered at the Paris Auto Show.
Building on the very positive reaction that the LF-LC received at January’s Detroit Motor Show, the LF-CC is a more down-to-earth, almost production-ready model, that will inspire a coupe version of the next IS series to compete against the BMW 3/4 Series Coupe.
The front-engined, rear-wheel drive concept also features a hybrid powertrain, which according to the company, will eventually power other models, too.
It consists of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with direct injection that operates on the more efficient Atkinson cycle, a compact electric motor, a generator, a battery, a power split device and a central control unit that manages the internal combustion engine-electric motor-battery operation modes.
Although Lexus says that the LF-CC’s CO2 emissions are less than 100 g/km, it keeps mum about its output and performance figures. It only says that it will produce “more than 2HP for every gram of CO2”, which is a little vague but points at 200HP or even more.
The LF-CC is 4,660 mm (183.5 inches) long, 1,840 mm (72.4 inches) wide, 1,375 mm (54.1 inches) tall and sits on a 2,730 mm (107.5-inch) wheelbase.
Therefore, even though the overall shape and proportions have caused speculation of the new Lexus coupe being based on the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S, it is actually considerably larger in all dimensions.
The suspension sports double wishbones up front and a multi-link rear arrangement at the rear, with the car rolling on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 245/35 on the front axle and 285/30 at the rear.
Lexus designers have a winner in their hands, as the Detroit concept has proved. Even though it’s less futuristic, the LF-CC doesn’t stray away from this car featuring taut, muscular lines which, along with the most aggressive interpretation yet of the brand’s “spindle” grille, create an impressive shape.
The interior has clearly been inspired by the LFA, with the steering wheel, instrument panel and layout of the dashboard borrowing several elements from the Lexus supercar.
An image gallery as well as a new video of the LF-CC follow right after the break.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3TS0bdGfz8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjO4BgWBzk0
