Thread: Lexus LF-CC gets green light

Lexus to build production version of dramatic coupeThe dramatic Lexus LF-CC coupe, which appeared at this weeks LA show, is heading for production Autocar can reveal. First seen at the Paris show in September this year, the LF-CC is expected to morph into a showroom model by 2015.
Autocar understands that a senior Lexus engineer has been assigned to the project and serious work will start on the production engineering at the beginning of 2013. A Lexus source said the company wanted to build a car that was exciting and emotional and reflected the future image Lexus image as sporting brand.
The source also admitted that the company was seriously studying building a compact SUV similar in concept to Land Rovers Evoque. However, the idea was still being considered mainly because of the doubts that such a model would fit in with Lexuss future direction.
The new sports model is likely to come in both cabrio and fixed-head forms and is thought to be based on the same rear-drive platform as the new IS and GS models, probably using the ISs shorter wheelbase and the GSs wider track.
Like all Lexus models, the production car will be a hybrid, most likely using a tweaked version of the GSs 350h drivetrain, which currently offers 300bhp. The production styling is thought to be close to this LF-CC concept car, itself a more viable version of the outlandish LF-LC concept, which also appeared at the LA show albeit in fresh paint.
Lexus sources said that the company wanted to slot the new car into the space vacated by the old SC coupe-convertible, which was discontinued in 2010. Lexuss first SC coupe was launched in 1991. The US will be the most important market for the new car. It is too early in the development process to know whether the car will be offered in the UK.