Lexus LF-CC Concept hits Australia

Lexus’ stunning LF-CC concept made its first local appearance this week, following its unveiling at last September’s Paris Motor Show.

The LF-CC is expected to form the basis of an upcoming coupe version of the new IS mid-size sedan, but Lexus remains tight-lipped about its production future. “A production LF-CC is yet to be confirmed, but the concept does offer a strong visual hint at a future mid-size coupe,” Lexus’ Australian boss Sean Hanley says.

Hanley’s reference to a coming IS-coupe is may not be confirmation, but the likelihood of the car going into production is
supported by Lexus’ trademarking of the ‘RC 350’ nameplate with IP Australia late last year, with the RC prefix following established Lexus naming convention.

The R designation hints at a mid-size-ish body (as per the RX SUV), and C suggests a two-door model – following the pattern of the existing IS 250C and earlier SC 430 and US-market SC 400 models.

Such specific nomenclature suggests Lexus will distance the new model from its sedan stablemate in a similar strategy used by Audi with the A5, and BMW will with the upcoming 4 Series.

The ‘RC F’ nameplate was reportedly trademarked shortly after, suggesting that a high-performance (IS F coupe) version is also in the works – but Hanley refuses to confirm such a project. “We are not in a position to discuss future model launches,” he says.

Given Lexus’ investment in the ‘F’ performance brand with the existing IS F and the now-discontinued LFA supercar, it’s fair to assume that such performance flagship IS models will arrive at some point.

This assumption is supported by the sighting of a test mule wearing the existing IS 250C body with IS F body details at the Nurburgring last year, with the new IS’ rear suspension visible along with a revised version of the IS F’s distinctive stacked exhaust outlets.

Possible power sources for such ‘F’ models range from a version of the existing IS F’s 311kW/505Nm 5.0 litre petrol V8, to a tweaked version of the bigger GS 450h’s 3.5 litre V6 hybrid drivetrain, to a turbo petrol six cylinder unit from parent company Toyota’s drivetrain alliance with BMW.

This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn