At the upcoming Paris Auto Show, Toyota’s luxury brand will bring a new concept coupe named the LF-CC that not only previews the styling language of the next generation of the IS but also a new addition to the range that will go heat-to-head with the BMW 4-Series and Audi A5 Coupes.
The Lexus LF-CC is more compact than the LF-LC concept and also looks more production-ready. It features a less steeply raked interpretation of the trademark Lexus “spindle” grille and its headlamps, while not as futuristic as those of the LF-LC, feature 3 LED projectors each and are set quite back compared to the grille creating what Lexus says is a “3D form”.
The proportions of the LF-CC are those of a typical front-engined, rear-wheel drive coupe, with a long front bonnet, a passenger cabin set rearwards and a stubby tail. In fact, its side profile sort of reminds us of the Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S coupes – or it could just be our blurry eyesight…
Lexus says that the LF-CC is powered by an all-new hybrid powertrain that delivers the performance expected of a premium D-segment coupe while emitting less than 100 g of CO2 per km and will also power other models in the future. Since the press release states that it will produce more than 2HP for every gram of CO2, it hints at a performance of more than 200HP.
It comprises an all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with direct injection that runs on the more efficient Atkinson cycle and a compact, high-output, water-cooled permanent magnet electric motor.
It also features a generator, a high-performance battery and a power split device governed by a power control unit that combines and allocates power from the petrol engine, the electric motor and the generator as needed.
Lexus points out that the interior with the soft-touch materials and metallic accents hint at the cabin styling of the next IS range. The coupe sports a low driving position with all functional components placed close to the driver. The dashboard is divided in two distinct areas: an upper, “Display” zone with a multi-function screen located for optimum viewing by the driver, and a lower, “Operation” zone that houses the gearbox lever and the touch display for remote system control.
We’ll have more on the new LF-CC from the Paris Motor Show on September 27, but in the meantime, head over the break for the official imagery and video.
By Andrew Tsaousis
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VIDEO