Motor Trend: LF-C2 (AKA the RC Convertible) is “Never Going to Happen”
Just two days after the LF-C2 made its splashy debut at the LA Auto Show, Motor Trend is reporting that Lexus brass has pulled the plug on the sexy drop top. This is means we won’t see an RC Convertible. From Motor Trend:
The plan to build a concept and then a real car was set in motion years ago, but now it will never see the light of day as a production vehicle. Some inside Lexus are furious over this decision because the RC was strengthened (made heavier than it had to be) to be a convertible — and as it turns out, that was pointless.
Given that the RC F has taken some serious hits over its hefty curb weight, it’s actually nice to have a solid reason for the bulk–even if it’s going to make for lots of “what could have been” both inside and outside the company. As Mike Connor explains in his piece on Motor Trend’s WOT, the reason for killing the project comes down to the fact that dealers–who were apparently informed that the RC Convertible was en route late last month–didn’t like the idea Lexus was choosing to release a low-volume sports car variant as opposed to a three-row crossover to compete with the Mercedes GL and Audi Q7. It’s a good read, and if you’re interested in the future Lexus lineup, you should check it out.
On the one hand, this isn’t good news for enthusiasts, but it’s important to remember that no manufacturer can exist without paying attention to its bottom line, and that Porsche wouldn’t be able to make the GT3 RS if hadn’t infuriated its hardcore fans by releasing the Cayenne.
via Motor Trend
