AIMS: Lexus LF-LC Blue brings concept closer to reality

THE stunning Lexus LF-LC Blue concept car unveiled at the Sydney motor show represents a step further toward production and eventual Australian sale for a car based on the 372kW hybrid super-coupe.

Lexus Australia CEO Tony Cramb told media at the show that the car has already been revealed to Australian customers behind closed doors, describing the reaction as “amazing”.

“It’s like a rock star, like butterflies to a light source,” he said, and revealed that part of the reason for bringing it Down Under was to assess the level of interest for a car like this in Australia.

Mr Cramb confirmed that unlike the LFA hypercar, which was built in strictly limited numbers, a production LF-LC would be mass-produced.

“The car hasn’t been confirmed for production but there have certainly been hints, and there is enormous demand for it. In America the demand was overwhelming.”

Lexus Australia marketing manager Peter Evans said the global response from Lexus dealers to the car shown at Detroit had quickly moved it to a 50/50 possibility for production, but suggested the scales would tip further toward a showroom arrival with the reveal of the new Blue version.

“As we build the second derivative and send it around the world and engender this kind of response it all augurs well for the future,” he said.

The car shown at Sydney – finished in Opal Blue paintwork as a reference to the semi-precious stones mined in Australia’s outback – was a ground-up build rather than a modification of the one that debuted at Detroit in January.

After an appearance at the Melbourne Cup racing carnival and for the opening ceremony of an $8 million new dealership in Adelaide, it will be flown to the US for its unveiling at the Los Angeles motor show.

Contrary to previous reports, Mr Evans said he did not think the Porsche 911 would be a target for a production version of the luxurious 2+2 configured LF-LC, which is closer in size and execution to the Jaguar XK or Aston Martin DB9.

Mr Cramb said the LF-LC Blue was “part concept, part reality”, which Lexus is “actively studying how we can engineer and build”.

The reality elements of the LF-LC Blue are in the developments to its petrol-electric drivetrain and new high output battery pack that will boost both power and efficiency in future vehicles.

With a lightweight carbon-fibre and aluminium construction, the LF-LC Blue’s power output eclipses any previous Lexus hybrid drivetrain and should deliver supercar-like performance to go with its sleek, futuristic styling.

The cabin is just as futuristic, with touch-screen controls replacing most of the switchgear an two 12.3-inch displays that can share information between the central infotainment screen and the instrument panel.