The Lexus LF-CC: Next-Generation IS or GS Coupe?

Posted by Kevin on September 28th, 2012

Ever since the Lexus LF-CC was announced, there’s been confusion about what production model it will eventually transform into — more to the point, is it the next-generation IS or a GS coupe?

The uncertainty started with the original press release, which referred to the concept as a mid-size coupe (GS-size), only to suggest it will also be part of the European D-premium segment (IS-size).

Normally, this mystery could be solved by consulting the vehicle dimensions — today, the first-known specifications of the LF-CC were published on the Lexus Global website:

Lexus LF-CC Specifications

Most of these numbers match closely with the current-generation IS (the LF-CC is 70mm/2.7″ longer, but has an identical wheelbase), except for one difference — the LF-CC width is exactly the same as the current fourth-generation GS. Still, this discrepancy can be explained — the previous GS & current IS shared the same width, so it makes sense that the new IS would mirror the increase of the new GS.

This comparison-by-number backs up the theory that the LF-CC is a precursor to a next-generation IS coupe — however, during today’s introduction of the concept at the Paris Motor Show, Lexus Europe director Paul Van der Burgh used some curious phrasing:

The design direction inspired by LF-CC will be applied to future Lexus vehicles in the D-premium segment and you won’t have to wait very long before seeing the first production vehicle.

Moreover, we can also confirm that Lexus is developing a rear-wheel-drive mid-size coupe, to be launched in the near future.

In the first part of the quote, Van der Burgh stresses that the LF-CC styling will be applied to a D-premium segment vehicle — obviously the IS — but makes no mention that this vehicle will be offered as a coupe. Following this up, he then says that Lexus is developing a RWD mid-size coupe that will be launched “in the near future”, suggesting that there’s also a GS-sized coupe in the pipeline.

Take these two statements together, and the whole question changes — instead of wondering if the LF-CC is the next-generation IS or a GS coupe, what if it was both at the same time?

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Comments
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    BlackDynamiteNY
  • September 28, 2012
Don't the IS and GS share a platform? Why make a IS Coupe and NOT a GS Coupe? BD
    J
    Making BOTH would not be cost effective....
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 28, 2012
    What are you talking about?  You share the platform & engine, you split the costs. That's all makers want to do.  Make the most cars from the fewest platforms/engines. I expect the LF-LC to join the IS/GS platform too.   The more cars you can use on a platform, the more cost effective the production will be. Look at the new Cadillac XTS.  It is a stretch CTS.  Same platform, same engine.  Companies do it with sedans all the time.  Camry and Avalon. BD
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      Thomas
    • September 28, 2012
    He is talking about the fact that it isnt cost-effective to make the huge investments needed to put more models into production, especially two coupe-models that doesnt have a market or has a very limited market. Lexus should re-introduce the SportCross and the sales in Europe would at least double. The investements needed to make that happen would be worth it. They could offer a coupe for the same costs in investment, but it wouldnt make a bleep on the sales. What's the most sensible thing to do, you think?
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 28, 2012
    So it's not cost-effective to build a coupe? So what are Audi and BMW doing? Why did Lexus make the LFA? You make coupes to stay relevant. To recapture your spirit. To capture the eye of younger buyers. If you just make sedans all day. You get a bunch of old buyers in your showroom. You get bad press. And an aged customer base. Coupes aren't supposed to justify themselves in dollars and sense, per se. They show that you care about your image. They are a labor of love. A strength of spirit. Eye of the tiger..... BD
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    You're feeling pretty combative about this -- the way I look at it, I'd rather have one fantastic coupe than none at all.
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 29, 2012
    Not getting the combative stuff. Lexus will make two coupes on these two cars at some point.  And that's a good idea.  Long overdue.   That's all. BD
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    Ok, that makes sense to me. :-)
    K
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    That's another thing -- the economics of developing two coupes will limit resources to other areas, and I'd much rather see a SportCross or a baby-RX than two coupes that are only a couple inches different in size.
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      Thomas
    • September 29, 2012
    True!
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      yosafbridge
    • September 29, 2012
    Mercedes seems to be doing well with the E-coupe and C-coupe, BOTH based on the C-class chassis and both just a few inches different in size.....
J
Maybe it will be called a Lexus CS this time around.. We have IS, GS and CS would fit right in... Or just go back to calling in the established SC... ;) Only the Future will reveal where this Concept Coupe is heading.. ~ Joe Z
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      Ljn71
    • September 28, 2012
    There's been talk from Lexus officials that a coupe version of the IS may use a different name.
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    Thomas
  • September 28, 2012
There wont be a "GS-coupe"!
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    rtgrthgh
  • September 28, 2012
LF-CC = IS coupe/sedan GS coupe = future SC
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    LexusNN
  • September 28, 2012
IS for sure
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    David Pike
  • September 28, 2012
This will definitely be in the IS segment, chief engineer of the GS indicated that it would not have a 4 cyclinder engine in the GS range.
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      krew
    • September 28, 2012
    That's the thing -- even if it's true that the GS will not get the four-cylinder hybrid (I think it will), my theory is that the LF-CC is a preview of the next-generation IS and a GS coupe, so elements of each future model were merged together.
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      Carmaker1
    • September 29, 2012
    Yep, that's exactly what I've been thinking.  It's now becoming obvious that these recent LF concepts are radicalized amalgamations of future Lexus products. The LF-Gh and LF-LC practically previewed the wider LS F-sport spindle grille. Actually upon seeing this concept, I was caught off guard by the rectangular headlights, as the IS headlights will stay triangular.The rear and the unique side character lines is what the actual IS sedan will look like, but the headlights strongly show that they belong to the future coupe. The production 2014 IS headlights are evolutionary judging by corporate photos shown of the front end and from spy shots.
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    David Pike
  • September 28, 2012
There would definitely be another coupe which be will be based on the GS but branded as a standalone model for example LC350 & LC450 h which will take on the likes of BMW 6 series. The SC name i think will be reserved for a toned down LFA
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    Rsxterminator
  • September 28, 2012
Why must there be a IS coupe and a GS coupe? wouldnt it make sense to have one coupe that falls in between the two? like BMW has the 3, 5 and 7 sedans, but will add a 4 and 6 coupe. and if they make a "supercar" then an 8 coupe. this fits perfectly with what we are seeing here. a LF-CC based coupe about the size of an IS but priced in between the IS and GS. then a SC replacement sized about the GS but priced between the GS and LS. and then the LF-LC based "supercar"... http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2012/01/lexus-product-plan-includes-coupes-crossovers-and-a-new-ct.html
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 28, 2012
    If you are trying to argue against the coupes, you are having trouble.  If Lexus wants a younger, hipper, sexier audience, they need coupes and convertibles, not just sedans. But just because BMW has 8 million different models doesn't mean Lexus has to either..... BD
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      Skrotskrammel
    • September 28, 2012
    Since you portray yourself as having all the answers, do you know the reason behind coupes? I mean, what's the benefit that coupes have over sedans?
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      wasapasserby
    • September 28, 2012
    Sales.
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      Thomas
    • September 28, 2012
    You're saying 'sales' is the reason a person would choose a coupe over a sedan? Ehrrrm...
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      wasapasserby
    • September 29, 2012
    Uhh, yes.  Same reason why any other executive person would want to expand a model lineup, be it a 3 row SUV or a convertible.
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    Additional sales, maybe, but coupes only do a fraction of overall sales compared to sedans.
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      wasapasserby
    • September 29, 2012
    The M3 coupe outsells its sedan counterpart nearly 2:1. Adding the BMW 6 series to the lineup resulted in a sales increase of 18.8% when looking at combined 5/6 series sales. I'd say in the right markets, there is a solid business case for coupes.
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 28, 2012
    Coupes aren't made to sell a lot.  They are the mini skirt of the automobile world. They are made to attract younger, better-looking, more virile, single people.   They round out your lineup.  They bring new customers you aren't getting.   They bring in floor traffic that you normally wouldn't get. They add excitement to your business.  In other words, they are exactly what Lexus needs right now.  Lexus is the librarian who wants to strut their stuff and party.  That's not a job for hybrids, or pleated pants..... BD
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    I agree with this -- it's a perception thing, and it hits a very important demographic: the young & wealthy. Exactly the type of people Lexus needs to target, even if it won't result in massive sales. (For pure numbers, Lexus has the ES, and that's a model that no other tier-one luxury manufacturer has in their stable.)
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      Thomas
    • September 29, 2012
    I was really asking what the benefit would be for an owner of a coupe over an owner of a sedan, not the benefit for Lexus. Is it just pure image for an owner to own a coupe, or could it be something else? I used to own an old Alfa Romeo GTV - rear-wheel drive, transaxle, coupe(two doors) - and the car's body didnt flex at all. It was really rigid. I suspect that was because of the lack of the extra doors. That could be a benefit coupes have over sedans, right? Also, car-doors are heavy.
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      Rsxterminator
    • September 28, 2012
    im not arguing against coupes. instead im saying that lexus is going to be smart about it. they arent going to just make a coupe by giving it 2 doors instead of 4. what they'll do is make it into its own model. bmw is turning the 3 coupe into the 4 for this very reason.
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 28, 2012
    Who says that's the right thing to do?  Just because BMW wants to make 100 different models doesn't mean Lexus should. BMW dumbing down their suspensions, and losing that ride/handling balance, is that the right thing to do?  3-series used to sell 8-9k cars a month.  Now they sell 5-6k.   Does Lexus have to do everything BMW does?  Does BMW have to do everything Lexus does? BD
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      Rsxterminator
    • September 29, 2012
    uh the marketing people of a multi-million dollar business perhaps? also audi has the A4 sedan and A5 as a separate coupe. so its not only bmw that's doing this. from the language in the press release, lexus seems to be going this route as well.
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 29, 2012
    Lexus has never done that.  And they led the segment in sales for 11 straight years.  They didn't know what they were doing?  So what are you saying? BMW knows what they're doing and Lexus doesn't, and has to follow BMW's lead? BMW and Lexus are two different animals, and they will NEVER run their business the same way.  Comparing apples to oranges.   BMW will make 101 different models until the win the sales crown.  Lexus makes like 10 cars, and has dominated the market..... BD
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    Ok, stop. I have no idea what you're arguing. No one here is suggesting that Lexus is going introduce "101 different models" -- in fact, the prevailing idea is that instead of two coupes, there will be only one.  Take a minute and explain what are you trying to say.
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      Rsxterminator
    • September 29, 2012
    i dont even understand what you are trying to say. do you believe there will be a IS coupe named IS? a GS coupe named GS? how about a future SC named SC?  i think there will be a coupe that will act as a IS coupe but will have its own name, a new SC that will act as a GS coupe, and the LF-LC supercar.  now its dubious right now if lexus would use the SC name again, but that segment will surely be filled. why would lexus use the SC name? because it has value and "GS coupe" doesnt.  
    K
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    Again, you're both saying the same thing -- slow down, dude.
    K
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    I'm not sure what you're arguing here -- Rsxterminator is saying that there will only be one coupe between the GS & IS, and then an opportunity to release something based on the LF-LC as a flagship two-door. That doesn't look at all like the BMW strategy to me.
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 29, 2012
    I'm saying this coupe has nothing to do with the GS, or any GS coupe. There is no argument.  If he's saying this car will prevent Lexus from making other coupes, he's wrong, and I'm good with that..... BD
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    Well, at the end of the day, it's just two different theories that just happen to be completely opposed to one another. Haha -- no matter what, there's going to be at least one coupe, and that's better than nothing. :-)
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      Thomas
    • September 29, 2012
    I dont think it has been confirmed by anyone that there actually will be a coupe, at all. The LF-CC is designwise what will be the IS-sedan, and I'm fine with that. The concept that became the current IS was a coupe/roadster/cabriolet, but there werent any coupe or roadster based on that concept. The cab version came years later and wasnt based on the concept either. I dont think the LF-CC concept in any way confirms there will actually be a coupe.
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      Rsxterminator
    • September 29, 2012
    when did i ever say this car will prevent lexus from making other coupes?  the original question was if the LF-LC is a preview of an IS coupe or a GS coupe. however i believe the answer is none. it will be its own car. as other have said, there are reports that support this. also supporting this is lexus' competitors. you keep talking smack about BMW but realize what they are doing. they are separating the 3 coupe into the 4. this is a big deal. the 3 series is a legendary name that has tons of value. however they are willing to drop that and call it the 4. audi already did this when the A5 came out. they gave it its own name. do you really think lexus will not follow this trend? by calling it a IS coupe you are pigeon holing it in terms of marketing. by having its own name, it can shine all by itself and not have to be connected to an entry level luxury car. lets also examine the other side of the story. the accord coupe is so far removed from the sedan, would anyone be surprised if one day they call it another name? we all know it keeps the accord name due to its value, but the coupe is treated as a separate model.
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      long do
    • September 28, 2012
    I completely agree
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      krew
    • September 29, 2012
    Agreed -- neither IS or GS coupe, but rather it's own designation. That said, I do believe it will be closer in size to the GS.
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    J B
  • September 28, 2012
Could very well be its own standalone model sharing components with the future IS.  Much like the Audi A5 is to the A4... 
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    darkride
  • September 28, 2012
Sedans are good for the majority of the buyers, but there is a segment of buyers who would prefer a Coupe. Whether it be for personal reasons (having the best car in your driveway to show off to your pals) or they do not need the function of a family sedan.  I have no doubt in my mind that Lexus will come out with an IS coupe. Look at what they are doing within Toyota. They created the GT86/FR-S to put some emotion and sport back into the company. They also built the LFA for a reason, to test technology and performance so they can trickle it down into the rest of their fleet. Plus if the rumors of the IS sharing a extended GT86 platform are correct, why would they mod that into just a Sedan, and not a Coupe. It wouldn't surprise me though if the coupe was only available as a F-Sport package or just the IS-F. If they already plan on continuing the IS 250C then you could cost effectively use most of the same parts (doors, folding seats, rear interior panels) and just create a hard top that doesn't look fugly.
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    FooFoo
  • September 29, 2012
It might be called a Lexus IC or CC, not IS. I hope they will lower the vertex dividing the upper and the lower part of the grill like in this sketch.  Looks better.  The proportion is not so good in the real concept.  It looks like a Mitsubishi or the very unpopular Tundra.http://cdn.thelexusenthusiast.com/images/gallery/gallery-lexus-lf-cc-official-2/LF-CC_SKETCH_04_2012.jpg
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    Thomas
  • September 29, 2012
Doesnt 'IS' stand for International Sedan? It wouldnt make much sense to name a car "International-Sedan Coupe", would it? What does GS stand for?
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      yosafbridge
    • September 29, 2012
    IS = Intellligent Sport GS = Grand Sport LS = Luxury Sedan
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      maxi400
    • February 14, 2014
    what does CT stand 4
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    FooFoo
  • September 29, 2012
CT = Compact Touring HS = Hybrid (Harmonious) Sport IS = Intelligent Sport ES = Executive Sedan GS = Grand Sport/Sedan LS = Luxury Sport SC = Sport Coupe/Convertible RX = Rally SUV GX = Grand SUV LX = Luxury SUV L = Long h = hybrid LF = Lexus Future (LF-C, LF-S, etc.) -- with the exception of LF-A which means Lexus F-Sport Apex F = Fuji (IIRC) Unofficial
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    LexusLVR
  • September 29, 2012
A coupe is also about EMOTION. For years the Lexus brand lacked emotion and only now are they beginning to generate it with their recent interesting and catchy designs. A stylish coupe can capture the emotions of certain buyers and win them over. As analysts will tell you, car-buying in todays world is becoming increasingly more emotionally-driven than logically-driven. Many people are buying cars with their heart, not their brain.
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      Mohammed Taha
    • September 30, 2012
    You know what I think sparked this whole change? I don't know if anyone saw the Top Gear episode when they launched the LF-A, I believe, and Richard Hammond kept on bashing Lexus for producing boring cars. However, in response to your post, you're partially right. Those who can afford to choose will buy with their hearts for the rest it's more of a logical decision; their budget. I think, that's where Lexus dominates. Their cars are priced high enough to compete with the German luxury segment but low enough to make it affordable for those that want luxury but still making it affordable after paying all the crazy taxes. If only they can perfect their engines and produce efficient monsters.
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    Runamukk
  • September 29, 2012
Alright guys...you don't know me and I don't know you but I am here to officially tell you that this concept is for the GS coupe and that the new IS which will come in a coupe configuration will look very similar.  I know this because I work for a Lexus dealer in Houston and this is what my GM who just got back from a Lexus event was told by Lexus corporate.
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      Mohammed Taha
    • September 30, 2012
    I hope you're right ...  I agree with the above post that it will be called IC. Intelligent Coupe and Grand Coupe
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • September 30, 2012
    Then why does this concept look like, and sized like, a IS Coupe would be? Why is this nowhere near the GS inside, or outside? BD
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    Runamukk
  • October 1, 2012
I don't know but you can count on this info being accurate. Also expect an all new LS in 2015.
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      BlackDynamiteNY
    • October 1, 2012
    That makes sense.  This 2013 is just a refresh.  I knew that...... BD

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