Lexus LF-CC concept previews 2013 IS sedan and coupe | CarAdvice

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Lexus LF-CC concept previews 2013 IS sedan and coupe

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By Jez Spinks |
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The Lexus LF-CC concept has been unveiled to preview the Japanese luxury brand’s next-generation BMW 3 Series rival.

Lexus has used the reveal of the two-door show car to confirm its intention to build a mid-sized luxury coupe to join the new IS250 and IS350 replacement that launches in 2013.

The Lexus LF-CC – standing for Lexus Future Coupe Concept – is powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain that the company says will also go into production. It combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine featuring both direct and port injection with an electric motor that has target emissions of less than 100g/km.

The drivetrain can be expected to make it a hybrid first for the Lexus IS, which unlike the CT200h small car is likely to offer petrol engine variants as alternatives.

Lexus claims the hybrid drivetrain “will achieve class-leading energy efficiency, with more than 1.47kW of power produced per gram of CO2″.

The concept’s design is said to take inspiration from the the Lexus LFA supercar and Lexus LF-LC concept from the 2012 Detroit motor show. It clearly relates the upcoming IS range to the family styling of other Lexus models such as the GS large car, RX SUV and LS limo - notably the huge ‘spindle’ grille.

Some of the concept’s design details, such as the triple-projector-beam headlights and sculpted side mirrors, and some of the more flamboyant aerodynamic bodywork are unlikely to make it into production, though the LF-CC’s general shape provides a strong guide to the look of the new Lexus IS coupe.

A convertible variant would be a natural extension, too, considering the current IS250 drop-top.

The interior of the Lexus LF-CC concept is also equal parts wishful thinking and production reality.

Glowing-blue steering wheel controls and display screens are pie in the sky but the two-part dash is similar to the design found in the latest Lexus GS. Lexus says the upper section is for ‘at a glance’ information such as the central display screen while the lower section is an ‘operating zone’ that encompasses features such as the gearshift lever and so-called Touch Tracer menu control system.

High-quality materials and finishes promise a step up in luxury for the next-generation Lexus IS, though the company has aimed for a sporty cockpit that includes a low-set driving position.

The Lexus LF-CC concept will debut at the 2012 Paris motor show starting Thursday 27th September.


 

  • Damian

    It looks good, but no doubt, Lexus will water the concept down to appeal to its more conservative customer base.  Hope it keeps the sharp pricing of the current IS350.  Will make for a very competitive package yet again…

  • F1

    The current IS350 looks very nice for a 8yrs old car.. 

    • pixxxels

      Yeah, the Lexus IS and the last gen Subaru Liberty are cars which just haven’t aged. They still look as appealing now as they did back then.

      • Texs

        Yeah i agree, the previous Liberty was such a classy car. The new one looks like a pig in comparison. 

        • Crummydore

           I love the last gen Liberty’s, they are such are great looking car – Subaru should have followed the VW design template of evolution not revolution.

          As you write, the new ones do look like a pig – slab sided, big and just plain awkward!

      • Zaccy16

        Yeah i agree too, saw a used 2006 liberty wagon auto for $14,000! bargain! much better than the horrible current gen!

  • Schn

    I wonder if it’ll be based on the 86 platform. I’ve heard rumours about this. It would be really great if they did have it. This design is not unexpected. Not a bad thing though, as this looks wonderful. I love the side profile. 

    • TG

      Side profile makes me think 86…

    • Javet3456

      the 86 is purpose made to house the Subaru boxer four engine, it prob wouldnt fit to have a Lexus with a Subaru engine in it. Anyway this will be a half size larger car the like of the latest BMW 3. but more models based on the 86 platform sure sounds like a good idea :)

  • Mihnea Radu

    Hi caradvice, just wanted to let you know i thing it’s the GS Coupe, not the IS. The press says”Announcing the launch of a premium mid-sized coupe in the more accessible D-segment in the near future”

    The way Lexus names its concepts, this should have been the LF-Ih or something

  • Pauly

    It looks fantastic! I would much rather buy this over any german brand.

  • http://www.caradvice.com.au Jez Spinks

    Mihnea, “mid size” and “D-segment” are the BMW 3 Series class so the LF-CC is most certainly a preview of the next IS model. GS is a large (E segment) car like the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class. We’ve also been expecting this concept, with the all-new Lexus IS due next year and a hugely important vehicle for the company. Rgs Jez Spinks

  • Able

    Be very, VERY careful Lexus. The current and previous generation IS models are some of the best-looking saloons ever produced; stuff this up and I (among many) will be pissed!

  • Wile E Coyote

    I wonder how much krill it consumes

    But love the grey with the red

  • Andrew Sherwood

    The grill of this concept looks like the sieve of a baleen whale.

  • PoisonEagle

    I really like it. Original and youthful, as long as they don’t tone it down.  The manga lines are great and show how advantageous it is not to just copy the Germans verbatim. 
    I HATE the GS though, don’t know what happend there…

  • ABCDEFG

    I think the current Lexus IS looks sissy. I am waiting for the 2013 model.

    • Able

      Well done for having an opinion. I totally disagree. Go buy a 300 or something.

  • JNfs

    It’s amazing what an extra 1 Litre can do for the IS250

    • Lotsamoolah

      Sames Camry 2.4/2.5 vs Camry 3.5 oops Aurion :)

      • johnnygmh

        Much the same as Bentley/Audi’s are really just Veedubs and Skoda?

        ooops

  • Andrew

    Be interesting to see how this design will perform in a 25 percent frontal offset crash. In the  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests for both the 2012 Lexus ES and Lexus IS models performed poorly.  The car looks good but where is the crash protection infront of the wheels.

  • Nwa

    i really like the is250/is350 they are underrated 

  • Hehs

    I hope for no CVT

  • Sleepsy

    Oh no…I vowed never to buy a toyota…but this I like compared to the overpriced 3 series.

  • Arrox

    I had one of the current IS250′s when it first came out in 2005. Great car and great customer service from Lexus but the handling and performance was not as good as the Germans. Hope they improve on this.
    The front and side of the 2013 one looks great but the rear is butt ugly. Would consider buying if they start with an IS350 this time round.

  • JamesB

    This looks promising, but hopefully the production version doesn’t get too conservative. The starter engine should be a 2-litre turbo four, with a supercharged V6 a la TRD Aurion below the IS-F.

    • Jackonsville

      The IS350 would pwwn the TUURD Aurion

  • Birty_B

    Might just be me, the rear end is hideous, it looks like a shrunken down and stretched version of the old Accord Euro. Good on them for trying something different and I’m sure it will get toned down, but I am not a fan. 

  • Guest

    should drive the FSport IS1350 mate – it is as good as the Germans and with Lexus quality to boot!

  • http://www.facebook.com/antmindel Anthony Mindel

    I also thought the rear lights look a little bit like the old Accord Euro,but look how well that car has aged,its a classic,and I think this Lexus looks AWESOME.

  • Overthereontheleft

    looks like a Honda with a cheap after-market front on it

  • F1orce

    Had a drive in the IS350 F-sports recently and it was a blast!

  • Asdff

    If it looks like that, I will definitely go for the test drive and consider it.