Lexus LF-LC Hybrid Sport Coupe, Refreshed LX SUV Unveiled in Detroit

DETROIT – Lexus unveils more details on the LF-LC concept hybrid sport coupe and debuts a refreshed LX SUV today at the 2012 North American International Auto Show.

The LF-LC was a studio-wide effort by Toyota's Newport Beach, CA-based designers to "advance the redefinition of Lexus with emotive, avant-garde beauty and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for premium buyers," the luxury brand says in a statement.

Lexus says the car’s styling builds on that of the production CT hatchback and new GS sedan.
Key features of the LF-LC, which seats two passengers up front and two in the rear, are Lexus' new signature spindle grille, which for the LF-LC is framed by a deep aluminum surround giving it a 3-D effect, the brand says.

L-shaped daytime running lights and vertical fog lamps with a dot-matrix pattern provide a sense of movement. Various lines and angles create a silhouette also suggest motion, Lexus says.

Modern architecture inspired the LF-LC's glass roof, which is supported by a cantilevered pillar.
A jet afterburner at takeoff influenced the sport coupe's taillamps, which are inner-lit to create a sense of depth, Lexus says.

The front lights’ L-shape and dot-matrix pattern are carried through to the car's rear, with integrated taillamps and fog lights drawing eyes down to the LF-LC's quad exhaust.
Security is the theme of the sport-coupe concept's interior, which has deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console to focus driver attention on the road.

Two 12.3-in. (31-cm) liquid-crystal-display touchscreens transit information to the driver, helping navigate to his destination.

Each door has a touchscreen that controls window, seat and mirror positions, as well as personal entertainment options, Lexus says.

Brushed metal, wood, leather and suede materials accent the cabin, which also has a lightweight steering wheel and lightweight, multi-layer seats.

Meanwhile, the refreshed ’13 LX 570 large SUV adopts the Lexus spindle grille and receives new headlamp and fog-lamp designs, plus a new rear license-plate surround and a more integrated tow-hitch cover. Bumpers are updated, with the rear-bumper protector accented with stainless steel.

Side-mirror turn signals are added for ’13, as is a new, 20-in. alloy-wheel design.
Inside, the SUV receives a number of changes, including a driver's-seat "Easy Access" system designed to ease ingress and egress. Lexus says the steering wheel and seat retract when the ignition is turned off.

A 120V power outlet in the middle row is new for ’13, as is an updated instrument panel with a color display, the brand says.

New materials inside the cabin include mahogany wood, a dark chrome finish on the center IP cluster and front-side air vents, and a chrome accent above the glove box.

As a refreshed model, the LX features Lexus' updated Enform suite of technologies, including voice-enabled iHeartRadio, Pandora and OpenTable applications. Enform also offers the ability to check in on Facebook.

The system, which Lexus says is supported on Android, BlackBerry and Apple iPhone smartphones, is free for one year before subscription fees are required.

There are few performance updates to the LX except for the new Turn Assist feature, which applies increased brake force to the inside rear wheel to tighten turning circles during off-road situations. New Multi-Terrain Select off-road technology is designed to negotiate five different types of terrain.

Sales of the Lexus LX tumbled 20.5% last year to 3,167 units, WardsAuto data shows. Volume was lower than most other large luxury SUVs, including the Infiniti QX56 with 13,428 deliveries, and Cadillac Escalade with 15,079.

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