Ultra-Sexy Lexus LF-LC Coupe Concept Reportedly Confirmed for Production

With the departure of the massively expensive, hugely capable LFA supercar from its lineup, Lexus is currently without a halo vehicle. So what might next sit atop Mount Lexus? According to a report from WardsAuto, Lexus’s vice president of marketing has apparently confirmed that last year’s sexy LF-LC concept is going into production.

The LF-LC was well-received when it first debuted at the 2012 Detroit auto show, and Lexus even brought a second iteration to last year’s Sydney and Los Angeles auto shows—painted blue instead of red, garnering even more positive vibes from the public. According to Brian Smith, the aforementioned Lexus exec, the enthusiasm was strong enough to convince Lexus’s honchos in Japan to give the coupe a green light for production. Despite Smith’s statement to WardsAuto, Lexus refused to confirm to C/D that any final decision on the LF-LC has been made, with a company representative telling us only that the car is still under review.

We lean toward believing the Wards report, however, as we were told that the LF-LC had a 50-50 shot of going into production even before the car reappeared in Sydney last year. (At the time, the LF-LC was apparently three to four years away from possibly reaching customers.) One key tidbit still left undiscussed, at least in detail, is what will power the production LF-LC. The concept featured a 500-or-so-horsepower hybrid V-8 powertrain, with the second, blue-painted iteration also getting all-wheel drive. We expect the LF-LC will be expensive, but not to cost nearly as much as the LFA. While we’re guessing prices will start north of $100,000, it should nevertheless find more buyers than the supercar, which in turn will bolster the business case. Bring it on.

 

Lexus LF-LC approved for production

On the sidelines of a press drive for the 2014 Lexus IS, the company's vice president of marketing in the US told Ward's Auto that the honchos in Japan have approved the Lexus LF-LC concept for production. He wouldn't offer any other details on how the luxury coupe might be transformed into a vehicle for the buying masses, and that has led to a bag full of speculation.

The show car was hybrid-powered and rear-wheel drive, a beautifully executed stab by Toyota designers in Newport Beach at redefining Lexus, but even with the concept, the point was to keep it "within reach for premium buyers." The report says the odds are on limited production and higher pricing than Lexus' "mainstream products," and other sites have speculated on what kind of powertrain it might end up in showrooms with.

GT Channel posits that the LF-LC will be the inspiration for a coupe in the Lexus LS price bracket with a choice of either the 4.2-liter V8 or the hybrid powertrain from the LS 600h, further speculating it will be called LC 550 and cost more than $100,000. It then says that there would be another coupe created beneath that one to replace the SC 430. Lexus Enthusiast, however, calls those "warmed-over rumors" and says that the marque probably won't deviate from its engine-capacity-naming scheme – labeling a car with a 4.2-liter V8 an LC 550. Nor does it think Lexus will use the letters LC after the company has trademarked "RC" in the US and Australia.

Time will sort the rumors from the truth, but we can probably start to admit that we're look forward to it.

 

I like it. Not as much as the LFA, but looks awesome nonetheless. Especially in red!

 

I grew kinda fond of the LFA too! Interested to see how the final product of the LF-LC is going to turn out

 

Needs more razor foil grill.

 

Hopefully that will be toned down by production time.

 

Like.

Hopefully they can get that front grill sorted in a different way, but I like it overall so far.

 

I think the body lines are pretty sexy though.

 

Not as ugly as the LF-A

 

Lexus Exec Hints LF-LC Concept is Production-Bound

Rumors that the stunning Lexus LF-LC concept would head to production have been stirring for some time now, and now a quote from a Lexus executive provides further evidence that the sports coupe will indeed hit showrooms.

“[The LF-LC] was [intended as] a concept car, and I think it surprised everybody, including us, when Japan said due to overwhelming response they decided to do it,” Lexus vice president of marketing Brian Smith told WardsAuto. “It’s a huge win.”

It’s unknown if the production version will utilize a hybrid powertrain, or when it will start production. Styled by Toyota’s Calty design studio in California, the sexy coupe has a good chance of retaining styling cues such as the LED lights that are separately located underneath the headlights, as seen on the IS F. We may also see LFA influences such as its swept-back headlights and rear end. Futuristic details featured in the concept such as the camera-lens technology in the headlights, spiraling center console, and the glass-to-glass roof pillar are not likely to make it. We’ve also previously reported that a production LF-LC could be built on a shortened version of the Lexus LS chassis.

WardsAuto also reports Lexus is also looking into switching one of its two large body-on-frame SUVs, the GX and LX, to a unibody structure. This appears to be the trend among automakers as of late, since the market for truck-based SUVs has declined.

Officially, Lexus won’t confirm that the LF-LC will make it to production. We reached out to a Lexus spokeswoman, who told us, “The LF-LC is being studied, but there are no official announcements to make.”

If Smith’s comments are any indication, however, those in the market for a large, sporty luxury coupe can likely add the Lexus LF-LC production model to their lists.

 

can't wait to see a more production ready version

 

The difference between the red and the blue is night and day. The blue makes me want it bad.

 

Yeah, its a very subtle executive blue. I feel like it brings out the curves better.

 

Is the McDonald's tray holder on the dash factory or an option?

 

^ What do you mean?

 

I guess he's referring to the shelf-like area on the passenger's side? :dunno:

 

I can't tell what I feel about this car. The interior looks amazing. It has certain angles that I love and others are abrupt and non flowing.

 

That blue is smoking!!!!!!!!

 

WWow, I love this car. Always been fond of the design.

 

Blue looks amazing. Lexus always has spectacular paint.
Steering wheel looks so...touchable. Likey.
Wheels fill wheel wells nicely, especially in the back. Hope it stays that way for production.
I would have to treat that interior like a Japanese house: shoes off before entering and then put on some driving slippers. Look at those pedals!
Side mirrors look cool, but doubt they would pass regulations. I'm sure there is a rule that states minimum dimensions for mirrors.

Good night.

 

YESSSS but prob be a decade before I can afford one lol

 

That interior is crazy awesome.
The rear end though is very very close to the "Stingray" Concept

Which I don't really care for.

 

I don't care what it looks like...but PLEASE PLEASE PLEEEAASSSEE LET IT KICK ASS!!!

 

Bottom-mount pedals are certainly a first for a Lexus.

This car is all over the place for me. I feel like I love it and hate it at the same time. The grill has GOT to go, that much is for sure.

It'd be too much to hope that it actually gets built as a non-Hybrid, and it's even more to hope that it comes without the modification-preventing encrypted ECU's that Lexii tend to be afflicted with these days.

I know that's the wrong attitude to have about a car like this, but I just find it so damn difficult to love a car that I can't mess with even a little bit.

 

Bottom-mount pedals are certainly a first for a Lexus.

You may correct me in your inimitable style, but the LFA has bottom mount pedals, does it not?

 

I suppose it is nice to see more performance orientated models popping up. Although the mention of the razor grill makes it stick out more to me now, straight up electric razor lol.

I do kind of wish Toyota/Lexus would stop messing around with these pseudo-concept cars for the street and focus on another Supra.

 

Lets hope there is no Supra plans in the future ever for Toyota. Its pretty hard to live up to the hype of the MKIV SUPRA. I'll be one pissed off mofo if it has another one of those god dang subaru engine.

 

Good god that thing is hideous.

 

Side profile is actually really good....like REALLY good.

The front end is absolutely ridiculous tho; they desperately need to abandon that style before committing it to more and more models. Rear end is not much better but I could live with it.

Too bad that have to put some hybrid weirdness in it, likely mated to yet another stupid F1-wannabe gearbox. That shit just doesn't interest me in any way. Just go with a smooth revving 7,500rpm+ V8 with ~500hp, match it to a nice 6 speed with a tall top gear to hit the fuel econ ratings like the Vette, and be done with it. I would love to Toyota/Lexus's translation of those components into a sports/GT car, but doubt it will ever happen.

 

Jeff, not what I implied at all, just pointing it out for accuracy; and thank you Big Boss for clarifying

I recall it being discussed in one of the LFA threads as one of the features the design team implemented to maximise the pedal feel and accuracy, prompted in no small measure by the phenomenal free-rev speed of the engine. They feel beautifully tactile in real life; not that I got to drive the car, merely sat in it at a dealership, lest you get the wrong idea!