What's the news?
Lexus has polished up its LF-LC concept, which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show, painted it blue and shipped it to Australia where it was displayed as the Lexus LF-LC Blue concept.
Exterior
The LF-LC is a stunning 2+2 coupé with a targa-style roof. Originally unveiled in a glossy red hue the concept has been painted in Opal Blue for its Australian Motor Show outing, which Lexus claims is 'inspired by the natural base colour of the Australian gemstone.'
The concept is said to hold towards styling cues for future Lexus sports models and acts as a test bed for technologies such as carbon-fibre melded with aluminium to form the chassis and Lexus' next generation full-hybrid powertrain.
Interior
The interior images show a sumptuous cockpit that doesn't stray too far from the bounds of reality and it appears to mix Lexus luxury with a distinctly sporting theme.
Mechanicals
The LF-LC is powered by the next generation Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Dubbed Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, it features (Lexus says) a 'high-energy battery pack designed to deliver greater power from a unit that is smaller than those used in Lexus' current full hybrid model range'. Total output for the hybrid system is said to be 500hp, more than any other Lexus hybrid model.
Anything else?
Unfortunately it does not look that the LF-LC (of any colour) will actually make it to production. Lexus does say it is actively studying how it can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future, but when that will be is anybody's guess.
Paul Healy - 22 Oct 2012