Two Coupe Lexus Plan Could Mark Brand’s Lithium-Ion Revolution




Compared to its German rivals the Lexus product portfolio doesn’t have much depth and lacks any vehicles with true sex appeal, though that’s about to change says marketing boss Brian Bolain.

When asked about the timing of the close rollout of two coupe concepts, the LF-CC and LF-LC, Bolain responded that the focus on two-doors is, “very intentional,” admitting that right now the company sees its absence in those segments as, “our biggest deficiency.”

While Bolain extolls the virtues of the Lexus brand, ranging from everything to quality and reliability, to customer service and luxuriously appointed interiors, he admits that two areas Lexus is currently lacking in are design and performance. “How do you quickly add an emotional element to a brand,” he asks? “With coupes.”

Commenting that since the SC was retired in 2010, apart from the lofty and limited LFA, Lexus has no coupe in its lineup. “We definitely have a void there today,” he says, commenting that without such a car (or cars) it’s “hard to be taken seriously from a performance perspective.”

Pointing towards the future, Bolain highlights the LF-CC and the LF-LC Concepts, the former a strong indication of the next-generation IS, as well as new coupe model that could wear the RC badge. As for the latter, if approved for production (which it’s all but certain to), it would sit at the upper scale of the Lexus brand, as a serious luxury and performance machine. In fact, Lexus recently announced it would be powered by a “next-generation” hybrid drivetrain capable of producing 500 hp.

How Lexus plans to achieve that output remains a mystery though the next-gen hybrid system could be one that finally makes the switch to more advanced lithium-ion technology, which produces more power from a smaller and lighter package. Bolain confirmed that the LF-LC isn’t yet confirmed for production, though the, “outcry has been tremendous.” Bolain also says that while Lexus has, “no timeline for the introduction of lithium ion,” the brand hopes to have it confirmed for when (and if) the LF-LC coupe makes it into production.

Two-door planning at Lexus does, however, stop with these two cars says Bolain. When asked if the Toyota luxury brand might consider an additional model, perhaps to compete with cars like the Mercedes SLK or BMW Z4, he commented that Lexus has no plans to, “flood the market with coupes.” If the LF-CC and LF-LC both make it to production, he says, “we’ve got good coverage.”

Lexus is set to start development on a production version of the LF-CC hybrid coupe concept, according to reports.

Autocar has revealed that Lexus has assigned a senior engineer to the project, and that work will begin in early 2013.

The LF-CC concept was first unveiled at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, and is expected to form the basis of a replacement for the IS range.

The concept car used a hybrid drivetrain, and the production version will also be a hybrid--continuing the firm's commitment to the technology.

Autocar reports that the production car will use a version of the GS hybrid drivetrain, based on a 3.5-liter V-6, but the concept car uses a newly-developed 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine. Lexus hints the new engine will be introduced into its range in the near future. The luxury car maker promises a mix of strong performance and high fuel efficiency.

It will also, like the current IS, be rear-wheel driven, and is sure to offer sporty handling to match its looks. It's likely to be based on a re-engineered version of the current GS platform.

Styling is unlikely to change too much from the concept car, though some of the concept's wilder attributes will likely be toned down for production. The LF-CC will fill a gap left by the old Lexus SC coupe-convertible.