The Lexus LF-Lc concept was supposed to remain cloaked until its debut in Detroit next month.
Lexus has delivered a little holiday present – though it’s probably as much a surprise to the maker as anyone else.
Seems pics of the Lexus LF-Lc concept have leaked out well ahead of the planned unveiling at next month’s North American International Auto Show. We found them thanks to our friends at Autoblog who, in turn, discovered them showing up as the cover story on the next issue of Road & Track magazine.
Unfortunately, we’ll still have to wait for full details about the concept vehicle Lexus has been teasing in recent days. But insiders offer hints it could be the concept version of an eventual replacement for the slow-selling Lexus SC430.
As seen here a few specifics can be deduced from the images: the concept apparently opts for a targa top, rather than the folding hardtop of the awkward SC430. Both vehicles appear to be roughly the same size and the new model maintains the 2-door design of the current hardtop cabrio. But it appears to add two rear seats. Functional? Well, that remains to be seen.
The angular and aggressive front end clearly lifts on the latest L-Finesse design theme Lexus has adopted, as first seen on the maker’s new GS line. According to a teaser release sent out in recent days by Lexus, the LF-Lc embraces “the new design direction embraced by Lexus.”
Like the old SC430, it was penned at the Lexus advanced design studios in Southern California.
At least one report has questioned whether the LF-Lc is borrowing the basic mechanicals and chassis of the new Toyota GT86 – which will be sold in the U.S. as the Scion FR-S. It’s the product of a closely watched joint venture with Subaru, which will offer its version up as the new BRZ.
There appears to be a hybrid badge on the Lexus LF-Lc, though we’ll have to wait for more details there, as well. But the maker has promised to offer a gas-electric version of virtually everything in its line-up, so that would be no surprise.