This concept car previews the future of sports cars for Toyota's Lexus brand – but it appears to be more than just a taste of next year's LFR race-car-for-the-road.
Lexus has revealed a new two-door concept it says is a "vision for a next-generation sports car" following in the tyre tracks of the iconic V10-powered LFA.
But its soft styling and distinctive rear lights mean it does not appear to be a preview of next year's production Lexus LFR, an all-new supercar for the road and race track, based on 2022's Toyota GR GT3 concept.
Instead, it may be our first look at a second new, road-going Lexus coupe to replace the soon-to-be-retired LC and RC, drawing styling cues from the Electrified Sport electric supercar concept of 2021.
The Lexus Sport Concept was revealed over the weekend at The Quail car show in California, with no teaser build-up or technical information on the vehicle.
It's not clear if the concept is powered by petrol, electricity, or a mix of both, as with the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 hybrid drivetrain destined for the LFR.
A short video released by Lexus appears to show the Sport Concept starting its engine, and driving away from the camera while emitting an audible rumble.
The show car's styling is an evolution of the 2021 Electrified Sport concept, with similar proportions, door surfacing, and smooth, sleek bodywork, but updated front and rear ends that better match the latest road-going Lexus models.
It lacks the distinctive 'flattened' shoulders and simpler cabin shape of the production LFR, shown in camouflaged form as the Toyota GT Concept (below) at last month's Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Even though the camouflaged prototype was badged as a Toyota, its expected high price – and spy photos showing the road version will use a Mark Levinson stereo, as used in high-end Lexus models – suggest it will be badged Lexus for showrooms.
That has led online speculation to suggest this is instead a preview of another, unseen Lexus supercar, intended solely as a road car – without the need for a GT3 racing version.
Japanese media reports have claimed Lexus is working on a new sports coupe to replace the flagship LC and one-size-smaller RC models, using a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive platform shared with the next Toyota Supra.
It has been linked with hybrid power, possibly a version of the 3.5-litre V6 hybrid in the LC500h, or the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol hybrid reportedly destined for the new Supra.
Toyota and Lexus are yet to confirm what the group's sports-car plans will look like, and how the GT Concept fits in with the Sport Concept – and each marque's line-up.
The only information Lexus has published on the Sport Concept revealed in California is a short media statement included in a press release.
"The progressively styled, future-focused yet truly authentic sportscar signals the way forward for Lexus design," the brand said on Saturday.
"This inspiring concept car features a wide, low-profile two-door form that blends dynamic and emotional elements into a vision for a next-generation sports car."
Alex Misoyannis has been writing about cars since 2017, when he started his own website, Redline. He contributed for Drive in 2018, before joining CarAdvice in 2019, becoming a regular contributing journalist within the news team in 2020. Cars have played a central role throughout Alex’s life, from flicking through car magazines at a young age, to growing up around performance vehicles in a car-loving family. Highly Commended - Young Writer of the Year 2024 (Under 30) Rising Star Journalist, 2024 Winner Scoop of The Year - 2024 Winner
