Lexus Does the Walk and Talk Around the LF-LC Sports Coupe Concept

One of the most attention-grabbing design studies at this year's 2012 Detroit Motor Show was the Lexus LF-LC, a prototype for a sports coupe powered by an unspecified hybrid powertrain.

Lexus says that its goal with the concept was to share its vision of what a premium sports coupe could look like with the public as well as to display the brand's evolved styling language and future technologies.

In this new video, the Japanese company's designers from its Calty Studio in California, which was responsible for the creation of the LF-LC, talk us through all the design details. Hop over the break to check it out.

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Lexus LFA Roadster Appears at the D1GP Kick Off Drift Event!

This just in; we just found out that a convertible version of the Lexus LFA supercar made an unsuspected and very surprising debut at the D1GP Kick Off Drift event on the sidelines of the Tokyo Auto Salon 2012 outside the Makuhari Messe convention center.

Details remain extremely thin for now but we'll be searching for more information and pass it on as soon as we receive it. That said, we don't know yet if it's a one-off custom creation, a Lexus prototype or the first of a limited production series to be released onto the market.

The white-colored LFA convertible with the red interior featured a carbon fiber-dressed rollbar behind the front seats. It's a fully functional model as the unnamed driver demonstrated some drifting skills at the event.

More to come so stay tuned. For now, follow the jump to see the car in the video

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Lexus LF-LC Sports Coupe Concept Bows at the Detroit Auto Show [38 Photos + Video]

We've been waiting for a while for Lexus to fully reveal its new LF-LC sports coupe concept and the wraps finally came off today at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The LF-LC concept's primary role is to showcase the future design direction for Lexus though we secretly hope that it could also lay the foundation for a production sports coupe.

While the Japanese company provides a ton of information on the styling details, the only piece of information we get about the concept's hardware is that it sports a front-mounted engine with an Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive that powers the rear wheels.

“The concept we’re showing here in Detroit continues the Lexus design revolution started with the CT and GS,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “The concept hybrid 2+2 liberates the idea of a sport coupe and pushes the boundaries of performance, style and technology," he added.

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Lexus Shows Off LF-LC Sports Coupe in New Photos

Lexus' most recent creation, the LF-LC Sports Coupe Concept, is set to debut in less than a week from now at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but that hasn't stopped the Japanese company from dropping a couple more fresh pictures for our viewing pleasure.

Toyota's luxury division still won't say what's hiding under the LF-LC's long hood, though we do know for a fact that it's a hybrid powertrain.

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Lexus Drops Another Official Photo of LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid Sports Coupe

Following last night's uncovering of the LF-LC Concept via a magazine teaser video, Lexus partially caved in and released a single teaser photo and some additional details on its new 2+2 seat coupe study.
The full size picture confirms our suspicions that the LF-LC gets Lexus' hybrid drive system, while it also becomes clear that the styling mixes elements from the LFA supercar and the production and concept GS sedans.
“Crafted from a clean sheet of paper at the request of Lexus headquarters in Japan, the LF-LC blends both high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the machine,” said Mark Templin, Lexus group vice president and general manager.
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Detroit Show Lexus LF-LC Sports Coupe Photo Scans Leak on the Web

While Lexus was planning a slow strip tease for its 2012 Detroit Motor Show-bound sports coupe concept, the folks over at Autoblog.com discovered a video teaser from the 2012 February issue of Road & Track magazine, giving us our first look at the car, which will carry the LF-LC moniker.
We don’t get any additional information on the rakish concept model, though in one of the photos, it looks like there's a "HYBRID" badge right in front of the rear wheel arch.
Lexus has previously told us that the design of the LF-LC would hint at a new design direction for the brand's future models.
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Lexus Drops New Teaser Photo of its Detroit Motor Show Concept, Looks Like it's a Coupe

We got our first glimpse of the new concept model Lexus is readying for the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit with a cryptic teaser picture of the car's front end on December 12.
Today, Toyota's premium brand released a second image, this time showing the as of yet unnamed concept model's interior. What’s important about this image is that the teardrop shape of the window line suggests we're looking at a two-door coupe model.

Lexus Teases New Concept Car for 2012 Detroit Motor Show – What Could it be?

'Tis the day for the concept announcements. Following Acura's and Honda's lead, Lexus also revealed its plans to debut a brand new concept model at next month's 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

And while Lexus was kind enough to give us a cropped teaser image, the Japanese automaker did not provide a lot of information on the study other than that it has been designed by Calty, the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, California, and that it showcases a "new design direction embraced by Lexus".

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Five Axis Takes the 2013 GS 350 F Sport to the Next Level

If weren't overly impressed with the factory 2013 Lexus GS 350 F Sport we showed you earlier today, then perhaps you may want to take a look at what Five Axis has prepared for the SEMA Show next week.

Troy Sumitomo's tuning company has taken the new GS 350 with the F Sport package to the next level with a custom wide bodykit that beefs up the wheel arches and adds several new components such as the side skirts and wraparound rear spoiler.

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Lexus LS TMG Edition 650HP Spied on Video: Are Those the Sounds of a V8 or a V10?

Our trusty spies have scored another touchdown with the high-performance, wide-body Lexus LS saloon that has piqued our interest over the past few days.

We already know it is called the Lexus LS TMG Edition and that it is being developed by the Japanese group's Toyota Motorsports GmbH division, formerly known as Toyota Team Europe, based in Cologne, Germany.

Toyota's subsidiary was responsible for firm's World Rally Championship cars starting from the 1970s right up to the 1990s, but now works on various special projects.

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Lexus Builds one-off Landaulet LS 600h for Monaco Royal Wedding [with Video]

Whatever your opinion of royal families, you can’t deny that they know a thing or two about spectacular weddings, as evidenced recently by the huge viewership of the Prince William-Kate Middleton tie-up.

Now, another European royal is about to tie the knot: on July 2, Prince Albert of Monaco will stand on the altar besides Carlene Wittstock and exchange vows for richer or poorer (just saying...), better or worse etc.

And Lexus is the one providing the newlyweds’ transportation by building a one-off version of its top of the range LS 600h limo. This version, which has been engineered by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet and took over 2,000 hours to complete, is a Landaulet.

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2011 NYIAS: Lexus CT 200h Supercharged to 300 Horses

Making its debut at the Big Apple is a concept for a high-performance version of the Lexus CT 200h hybrid hatchback conceived and executed in partnership with Fox Marketing.

Starting with a production CT 200h, the tuner modified the 1.8-liter gasoline engine by adding an Eaton supercharger along with a Climax Racing intake manifold and a Yonaka air to water intercooler among other upgrades to push output to an estimated 300HP. Additionally, Fox Marketing said it has boosted the factory batter power, but did not provide further details.

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A Detailed Video Look at Lexus’ New LF-Gh Hybrid Sport Saloon Concept

One of the star attractions of next week’s 2011 New York International Auto Show will be a new concept model from Lexus called the LF-Gh Hybrid. We’ve already brought you the first details and photos on the sedan study, but now we’ve got official footage of the LF-Gh. Those of you looking to catch a glimpse of the concept model on the move will have to skip through towards the end of the 7-minute long clip. Read more »

Lexus LF-Gh Concept Hybrid Sports Sedan Unwrapped: 50 High-Res Photos

Today’s the day for Lexus to formally lift the wraps off its new LF-Gh hybrid concept ahead of its global debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show, which runs for the public from April 22 to May 1. The Japanese firm’s latest concept is for a premium grand tourer that previews a new design direction for the next generation of Lexus models.

Even though Toyota’s luxury division won’t say it, the LF-Gh’s also hints at a replacement for the GS given the proximity in size between the two models as the concept measures 192.5-in. long, 73.6-in. wide, 57.1-in. tall while riding on a 112.2-in long wheelbase. In comparison, the current GS is 190.7-in long, 71.7-in. wide, 56.1-in tall and rides on the same 112.2-in long wheelbase.

Lexus says that through this exercise, it redefines its L-Finesse design philosophy, which debuted in 2001, adding that it represents a bolder styling that “unites hard and soft; and energetic and soothing elements”. Needless to say, the LF-Gh has borrowed many styling elements from Lexus’ first supercar, the LF-A, including the body surfaces as well as the shape of the tail lamps, headlights and front grille.

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Lexus Teases the LF-Gh Hybrid Concept ahead of NYIAS World Premiere

Toyota's luxury brand Lexus released the first official teaser shots of the new LF-Gh hybrid concept car, which will make its world debut at the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show (April 22 – May 11). The name of the concept stands for Lexus Future Grand Touring Hybrid, and according to the Japanese company, the LF-Gh “sets out to redefine the premium grand touring sedan.”

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Lexus to Unveil New LF-Gh Concept Study at 2011 NY Auto Show

Next up on our motorshow calendar is the 2011 New York Auto Show in late April, where we’re expecting several world premieres, including a new concept car from Lexus. The Japanese automaker made the announcement today through its Twitter channels with a rather vague note: “LF-Gh: LF = Lexus Future. h = hybrid. G = ...”.

The company also stated in an invitation to the press that the concept “will present a glimpse into the future of Lexus design.” We’re assuming the ‘G’ stands for a prototype version of the next generation of the GS premium sedan but we’ll know more within the next couple of weeks.

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Chicago Preshow: Lexus CT 200h Concept Tune by Five Axis

Lexus will be showing off a wilder CT 200h prepared by parent company Toyota's tuning partner Five-Axis at the upcoming 2011 Chicago Auto Show, which runs for the public from February 11 to 20. The highly-modified Five Axis Project CT will be dressed in a custom made wide body kit with hybrid's bad-boy appearance further enhanced by the JDSU “Dark Passage” paint, the lowered ride height (thanks to a TEIN Flex coilover suspension system), and custom 19-inch FIVE:AD forged alloy wheels.

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Lexus Brings its AWD Hybrid Bike to the UK

Lexus has been drastically improving its designs for the past few years now, evolving from tricked-out Toyota and outdated Mercedes clone to having its own, relatively unique lines throughout its model range. Now, Lexus wants to do the same thing for bikes with its Hybrid Bicycle.

Having first shown up at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus brought one of two examples to the UK for the Lexus-sponsored Great British Bike Ride.

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Lexus LF-Ch: Production Version of Five-Door Hatchback Rival to BMW 1-Series Scooped!

An anonymous Carscoop reader dropped these scoop photos of what appears to be the production version of the Lexus LF-Ch hatch into our mailbox this morning. The LF-Ch concept model made its world debut at last year's Frankfurt motor show with Lexus making it more than clear that it would build the five-door hatchback.

"Let me stress that you are not looking at a market study … or hearing about vague intentions" Andy Pfeiffenberger, vice president of Lexus Europe, told journalists during the presentation of the car in Frankfurt.

"This LF-Ch concept is a clear indication of our entry plans for the compact premium segment in the near future, with the world's first ever premium compact, full hybrid."

The overall shape of the plastic wrapped model depicted in these spy photos is almost identical to the LF-Ch concept right down to the rear window, though the design does appear to have been toned down a notch.

For example, gone are the 'hidden' read door handles that have been replaced by conventional handles while the tail lights and rear bumper design are new.

If the car pictured here is indeed the LF-Ch, then there's a strong possibility that we may see the hatchback model in the flesh at the Geneva Salon next March.

Lexus plans to offer the premium hatch that will rival cars like the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 with both conventional and hybrid powertrains.

Hat tip to our anonymous reader for the shots!

Tokyo 2010: Lexus IS F Circuit Club Sport Concept

Lexus' offerings for the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon included a lightweight concept version of the firm's performance-minded sports sedan. Dubbed IS F Circuit Club Sport or CCS for short, the prototype Lexus comes in an attention-grabbing bright orange finish and more carbon fiber than a NASA warehouse.

And we're talking about a lot of carbon fiber as the lightweight material is used for the newly designed hood, rooftop, rear wing, exterior mirrors, trunk, front spoiler lips, right down to the rear diffuser.

The same material is also found on the Lexus IS F's engine cover as well as in the interior on the door panels, center and lower console, steering wheel trim, and the transmission lever.

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