Lexus offers a tease of its next F model.

Lexus has dropped a teaser that will likely have lots of folks scratching their heads over the next month trying to figure out what “the newest Lexus F model” actually will be.

The luxury arm of Toyota has been trying to engineer more performance into its products over the last several years, and with its various F models drawing in the sort of younger buyers it’s desperate to attract, there’s little surprise that Lexus has a big unveiling planned for the North American International Auto Show when it opens up in Detroit next month.

But, at least for the moment, we’re left with little more than this close-up of the front-left fender and a few tantalizing hints from Lexus, which declares, “Engineered from scratch, one performance layer at a time, the newest F model promises a bold, gritty, experience synonymous with the famed Lexus F heritage.”

The Lexus RC 350 Concept unveiled in Tokyo.

Of course, that’s not about to stop folks from speculating as to what the new Lexus F model might be.  And a variety of different possibilities have already surfaced among the Twitterati.  One possibility is the eagerly anticipated replacement for the LFA supercar, perhaps based on the LF-LC concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show two years ago.

Another alternative: a replacement for the outgoing Lexus IS-F.  As regular readers know, the Japanese maker recently updated its IS line, however, it is currently offering an F-Sport model that is more show than go, with no immediate word on whether it would eventually replace the V-8-powered IS-F that gave the first hint that Lexus even understood what passion for performance is all-about.

(Lexus looking to offer more customization options. Click Here for the full story.)

But as we study the flowing lines of the Lexus teaser image another option comes to mind, and that would be a production version of the RC Coupe the maker unveiled to much praise during the Tokyo Motor Show a month back.  The steep rake of the RC’s front fender seems to be the closest match to the pic we received today.

(Click Here for a closer look at the Lexus RC350.)

The maker revealed two versions of the RC in Tokyo, the RC300h hybrid pairing a 2.5-liter engine with an electric motor, the RC350 opting for a 3.5-liter V-6.  Whether there’d be room for a V-8 — or perhaps something more fitting the times, such as a turbocharged V-6 — remains to be seen.

Of course, Lexus could have something entirely different in mind.  About the only thing we’d rule out is this being the production version of the LF-NX Concept that caused such a stir when it was unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. The controversial crossover is expected to make a return in production form before the current auto show season wraps up, but more likely at the Geneva Motor Show in mid-winter, according to various sources.

(Lexus looking to get into booming luxury compact  crossover market. Click Here for more on the LF-NX.)

One thing we’re sure of: Lexus has big plans for its F and F-Sport models, and for good reason.  Company officials note these models are drawing in the youngest, most affluent and most passionate buyers of any Lexus products.

So, we’ll keep digging but anticipate we’ll have to wait until closer to the opening of the NAIAS next month to get the full story on what the next Lexus F model really will be.