Detroit show: Lexus goes for sport

LEXUS has revealed a second teaser image of the sleek new concept it will unveil at the Detroit motor show on January.

Although it has provided no information whatsoever about the unnamed sports concept, the first tightly cropped exterior image of which was released last week, this interior image clearly shows it will be a luxurious pillarless coupe.

The latest teaser also reveals a radical new direction for Lexus’ interior design, with the two-door luxury sportscar’s cabin featuring swathes of stitched leather on the centre console, doors and instrument panel.

The latter appears to be a free-standing unit on the dashboard, which is dominated by a large central monitor, while a small but thick-rimmed sports steering features large gearshift paddles.



“The interior of this Lexus design concept hints at the new contemporary, upscale and uniquely Lexus design direction,” was all the Japanese luxury brand had to say this week.

As we reported last week, the new Lexus sports concept, which is expected to be joined by the debut of an upgraded LX570 at Detroit, was designed by the company’s California design studio, Calty.

It is unclear what production model, if any, the latest Lexus concept hints at, but clearly it is unrelated to the third-generation GS large sedan that arrives here in April, the facelifted RX crossover due to emerge at Geneva in March, or the facelifted LS limousine expected to appear at the Paris show in September.

GoAuto understands the concept – which as seen in the previous teaser features front wheel-arches wrapped tightly around massive 21-inch alloy wheels, a prominent new hourglass-shaped ‘spindle’ grille and wild triangular headlights – is not based on Toyota’s upcoming Subaru-based 86 coupe, making it all the more intriguing.