Here, finally, are the first decent shots of the Lexus LF-LC hybrid 2+2 sports coupé concept, leaked before Christmas but ahead of its debut at the Detroit auto show.
Challenged by Karl Schlicht, head of Lexus' planning and marketing division, to design a future hybrid sport coupé concept, this is what the the company's Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California came up with.
Schlicht said: “We are in the middle of the biggest change in Lexus history. The new GS embodies this with its sculpted spindle grille as our symbol of change.
Now, the next chapter of Lexus evolves with this coupé, hinting at the design cues that are coming in new Lexus models over the next 24 months.”
A mesh grille is framed by a deep aluminium surround with air intakes in the bottom corners, while L-shaped daytime running lights and vertical foglights use a fading dot matrix pattern to suggest a sense of movement.
The concept's glass roof has lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture inspired by modern architecture and a rising, kick-up window line and polished aluminium trim for emphasis.
The rear deck continues the spindle theme while the tail lights, inspired by the look of a jet afterburner at take-off, use inner lighting to create a sense of depth, and the integrated foglights repeat the L shape and lead the viewer's eye down to the four tailpipes.
The interior of the concept uses soft textures and organic shapes to create sense of security, with deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console. A remote touch-screen in the centre console allows the driver to operate ancillary controls without altering line of sight.
Dual 310mm liquid-crystal screens provide information and navigation display, with inputs from the centre-console touch-screen - and a pop-up touch-screen keyboard for more complex entries. Similar touch-screen surfaces on each door operate the windows, mirrors and seat adjustments.
Multi-level meters layer analogue and LCD displays; the bottom layer displays temperature, fuel and the background for the eco-meter. The middle layer is the face of the mechanical rev-counter and the top layer provides indicators for the rev-counter, speedometer and eco-meter.
The cabin is finished in a combination of smooth leather and suede with decorative stitching, brushed metal trim and wood accents. The sports front seats repeat the interlacing curves that define the cabin, while the racing-style steering wheel houses satellite controls and the start button.
Lexus isn't saying much about the hybrid drive train, other than that it is front-engined and rear-wheel drive, “delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency”.