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Lexus looks to its design future

Lexus is to reveal a sleek new concept that previews the automaker’s design future – at least over the next two years – at the Detroit auto show.Lexus revealed a sleek new concept that previews the automaker’s design future – at least over the next two years – at the Detroit auto show.

The LF-LC is a 2+2 hybrid sports coupe from the luxury automaker’s Calty design studio in California, the product of a brief to design the next-generation model with "avant-garde beauty and advanced technology".

Karl Schlicht, Lexus Product and Marketing Planning Division's general manager, said: "We are in the middle of the biggest change in Lexus history - inspired by a new generation of distinctive design.

'NEXT CHAPTER'

Lexus LF-LC concept

FIT FOR FOUR: The LF-LC is a 2+2 sports coupe hybrid.

"The new GS embodies this with its sculpted spindle grille as our symbol of change.  And now, the next chapter of Lexus evolves with the coupe design concept unveiled at Detroit.”  

The LF-LC concept displays the new Lexus design language in its interpretation of the signature Lexus grille, which is framed with aluminium, and rear architecture. Daytime running lights are shaped like an L and vertical fog lights use a fading pattern to suggest movement.

The concept car’s glass roof has a light, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture inspired by modern architecture.

The cabin lines are carried through to the rear deck where tail lights, inspired by the look of a jet-engine afterburner at take-off, use inner lighting to create a sense of depth. The rear is also fitted with fog lights that, together with the tail lights repeat the L shape and highlight the concept’s quad exhausts.

LIGHT AND SHADE

Lexus LF-LC concept

LEATHER AND SUEDE: The concept's cabin appears to wrap around its occupants.

The LF-LC’s cabin is described as "a mix of advanced technology" with soft textures and the driver is cocooned deep within side panels and a high, curved console. The cabin also has a remote touch-screen that allows the driver to operate controls without shifting position or adjusting his line of sight.

Surfaces throughout the cabin are a combination of leather and suede, with brushed metal trim and wood accents.

The LF-LC concept uses Lexus’ familiar front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration with hybrid-drive technology and will be on display on the Lexus stand at the Cobo Centre in Detroit until January 22, 2012.
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