The Lexus LF-C2 was among the world debuts at today’s Los Angeles motor show – and it gives a clear indication that Lexus is plotting a 2+2 roadster based on the RCF coupe.
As befits a car revealed on the sun-dappled west coast of America, the LF-C2 is unusual in having no roof or weatherproof gear whatsoever. Don’t go expecting to see a car this extreme jump from LA to London any time soon.
Lexus LF-C2: what you need to know
This roadster is almost precisely RC F-sized, at 4715mm long and 1840mm wide. It’s low-slung, too, at just 1385mm tall.
So although Lexus isn’t billing it as such, we’ll take that as confirming a convertible RCF is on the cards. It’d take the fight to the BMW 3-series Convertible et al, with what’s billed as 2+2 seating.
Click here for our Lexus RC F first drive review.
The design is notable for its evolution of the now widespread Lexus spindle grille, here seen with a braided mesh finish that’s designed to twist and turn as you move around the car.
The LF-C2 concept car has pure LED headlamps, too, and the now-characteristic swooping Lexus tick for the day-running lights, just like you’ll find on our IS saloon long-term test car.
Until today, Lexus had only showed the side-profile silhouette teaser image (fourth picture in our gallery), hinting at the car’s mini flying buttresses.
More spec details
Check out the way the rear deck continues into the LF-C2’s cabin, the trick golden paintwork continuing along the length of the rear cockpit; each passenger very much has their own quarter, with a bright yellow line bisecting the cabin.
Should the LF-C2 make the leap from catwalk to showroom, we’d expect some of these wilder flights of fancy – the 20in alloys, the trick seating, the lack of roof – to be dropped.
That multi-layered paint job is built on top of a silver base, finishing in the yellow hue visible to the eye; wander around the concept and the car seems to change colour.
Click here for our full A-Z from the LA auto show 2014.