Calty's starting point was to design a sports car with a theoretical $50,000-$60,000 price tag, Hunter said. That meant designing something wild, but not so exotic that it pushed the car into the territory that would make it a Lexus.

"We didn't want [Toyota Motor top management] to see this and think it was a $150,000 car," Hunter said. "We also did the Lexus LF-LC [concept coupe] at Calty, so we wanted a different form vocabulary for this car. Anything that looked like the LF-LC was rejected. That car was more touring oriented, while this is a pure sports car."

Although originally intended as a concept to preview future styling themes, rave reviews for Lexus’ LF-LC concept following its reveal at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show persuaded managers to put it into production. We’ve now learned that the production version of the LF-LC will revive Lexus’ SC badge last used in 2010, and that it will offer two powertrain options: a naturally aspirated V-8 and a V-6 paired with Lexus’ next-generation hybrid technology.

The information was revealed to Carsguide by a source at Lexus. The proposed V-8 for the new SC is said to be an uprated version of the 5.0-liter V-8 powering the 2015 RC F, with peak output said to be 475 horsepower. In the RC F, Lexus has only said that the engine will produce in excess of 450 hp.

The hybrid setup is said to combine a 3.5-liter V-6 with Lexus’ next-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Described as a “multi-hybrid” system, it will deliver substantially more power than previous Lexus hybrid technology and in the new SC is said to offer as much as 500 hp. You may recall that the LF-LC concept was said to be powered by a new hybrid drivetrain rated at 500 hp as well.

Other technologies expected to appear on the new SC is a 10-speed automatic from Aisin AW; multi-material construction including components made from steel, aluminum and even some carbon fiber; and torque vectoring. Though not mentioned in the report, it’s possible that the chassis will be the same one being developed by Toyota (with help from BMW) for an FT-1-based Supra.

Lexus is said to be aiming to launch its new SC around 2017. Key rivals will be the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe and Maserati GranTurismo, meaning pricing will likely fall somewhere between $100,000 and $130,000.

Stunning LF-LC concept morphing into top-shelf Lexus SC coupe.

The Lexus LF-LC wowed the world at its 2012 Detroit motor show debut -- and followed up at the Australian International Motor show later that year with an appearance in Opal Blue form.

There was always the suggestion it was more than just a design exercise. "LF-LC is part concept, part reality: the concept hints at what's to come from Lexus, while the reality has us actively studying how we can engineer and build a vehicle like this in the future", Lexus Australia's Tony Cramb said in October 2012.

Since then, we've heard more rumours about what might develop from the car. And now Japan's Holiday Auto magazine says it has gone behind the scenes at Lexus to find out what's on the way in the form of a new SC coupe model derived from the LF-LC.

The report says the first full-scale clay model for the SC is being produced this year, and retains the LF-LC's lightweight carbon fibre and aluminium construction -- itself derived from the LFA supercar -- to aid dynamic performance and fuel economy.

The artist's rendering of the SC is an adaptation of a photo taken of the Opal Blue LF-LC at Sydney's Circular Quay, and retains much of the concept's form, but rationalises the pencil-thin monitor side mirrors (which were never going to hit production) and the headlights into more real-world form, although retaining the sharp LED hook that underscores the headlight cluster -- and which will arrive as a Lexus signature on other models.

Lexus is pushing the SC further upscale with what the report says is "an unbelievably gorgeous fit-out" and dynamic performance that "surpasses the RC-F coupe".

It is said to be arriving in 2017 with two engine choices. The hybrid SC will be powered by the LF-LC's petrol/electric drivetrain -- the brand's most powerful to date, developing a total of 372kW of power. There will also be the RC-F's 5.0-litre V8 option, delivering 355kW and mated with the same world-first 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Japanese magazine is tipping a world debut at the 2017 Detroit motor show, a full five years after the LF-LC was unveiled there to loud acclaim -- following which the CALTY Design Research division(based in North America at Toyota Design) is said to have immediately started on product development, with product plans being finalised last year.