The moment the last LFA rolled off the production line of Toyota’s Motomachi plant last month, Lexus was left without a sports car in its line-up.
It may have lost money on every one it made, despite its US$375,000 price tag that made it the most expensive Japanese production car in history, but the 562HP V10 exotic did for Lexus’ image more than probably any other car since the original LS that launched the brand in 1989.
Though a direct successor to the limited-production (just 500 were made) LFA is not planned, Autocar magazine reports that the LF-CC concept, which was launched at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, will enter production in 2015 as the automaker’s new sports car.
According to the report, a senior Lexus engineer has already been assigned to this project and development of the production model is due to begin before the end of this month. A source from within the company revealed that Lexus wants to build an “exciting and emotional” car that will reflect its new image as a “sporting” brand.
The new coupe, which will be joined by a convertible version, is expected to stay faithful to the concept’s design that, in fact, looks production-ready and will be based on the new IS sedan rear-wheel drive platform, possibly with wider tracks for a more sporty stance and handling.
Lexus sources told the publication that it will feature a hybrid powertrain, most likely a tuned version of the one in the GS 450h that comprises a 3.5-liter V6 and an electric motor for a total output of 338bhp.
By Andrew Tsaousis
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