Spy shots taken on the outskirts of Los Angeles, California, reveal Lexus is putting the final touches on the production version of the striking LF-LC concept that it introduced all the way back at the 2012 edition of the Detroit Motor Show.
Likely called LC, the posh coupe is expected to ride on a shortened version of the platform that will underpin the next-gen LS. It will fill the void that was left in the Lexus lineup when the SC was deep-sixed about five years ago, but it will be positioned up a notch in order to take on the BMW 6 Series and the Porsche 911.
Although the mule is fully camouflaged, the spy shots reveal that the LC’s front end borrows a number of styling cues from the LF-LC, including its sharp headlights and its spindle grille. The overall silhouette and proportions appear to have made the transition from concept to production with almost no modifications, and pictures of the rear fascia show the coupe is fitted with L-shaped tail lamps that stretch deep into the bumper.
Industry rumors claim that entry-level models will ship with a 5.0-liter V8 engine that will spin the rear wheels, and more expensive variants will benefit from a potent plug-in hybrid drivetrain built around the aforementioned eight-cylinder. Lexus will reportedly round out the lineup with an F-badged model that will benefit from a twin-turbocharged version of the V8 tuned to deliver well over 600 horsepower.
Since the LF-LC concept made its official debut at the Detroit Motor Show, it’s not too far-fetched to speculate that the production model will be presented at next year’s edition of the event. It will be largely aimed at the United States market, though there’s a good chance that Lexus will also sell the coupe in Europe and in China.
