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A Closer Look at the Lexus LF-C2 Concept

Posted by Kevin on November 21st, 2014

It’s been two days since the Lexus LF-C2 concept was revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show, so there’s no better time to take a closer look at the “open-air” coupe design.

Using these photos from Darren Yasukochi Photography, let’s start with that massive monster front grille:

Lexus LF-C2 Front

The front end is an amalgamation of RC design elements — the waterfall wires similar to the standard RC, with just about everything else pulled from the RC F.

It’s all very exaggerated, but it’s hard to fault the detail in that mesh pattern:

Lexus LF-C2 Mesh Grille

The side profile is also pulled from the RC, and the design is well suited to the convertible shape:

Lexus LF-C2 Side

I have mixed feeling about the wheels — I’m generally a fan of complex designs, but this particular set doesn’t mesh well with all the yellow:

Lexus LF-C2 Wheel

The rear deck lid is where the LF-C2 deviates the most from the RC design:

Lexus LF-C2 Deck Lid

Much has been made of the LF-C2’s lack of a roof, but such is the life of a concept car — I do like the aerodynamic fins that splash out from the rear seat head rests, and overall it’s a clean and flowing design.

Lexus LF-C2 Rear

While I can’t imagine a less practical color for a convertible interior, the “open-air” cabin is spectacular:

Lexus LF-C2 Interior

Like the exterior, much of the overall design has been cribbed from the RC — it’s the variety of materials and fine detail that really stands out:

Lexus LF-C2 Interior Rear

Huge fan of the waterfall console that flows from the rear into the front:

Lexus LF-C2 Waterfall

Here’s the full collection of photos from Darren:

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Overall, the LF-C2 is too similar to the RC coupe to be overly shocking — ignore the lack of a roof and all the conceptual details, and this could easily be a production model.

This leads to the bigger question — why would Lexus show a concept that looks so close to a production model? If a convertible RC is right around the corner, what’s the point?

More than anything, the LF-C2 must be about gauging consumer interest — if there’s doubt within Lexus that a convertible is necessary, this concept is the easiest way to avoid making an expensive mistake.

What do you think? Does Lexus really need a convertible, and should it look like the LF-C2?

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Comments
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    LexusGXman
  • November 21, 2014
I think Lexus should and DEFINITELY will create an RC convertible and it would actually be technically cheaper to produce than the 2013 IS based convertible they sell now because they have to keep a special production line open to produce a car they technically don't make anymore and the IS convertible is basically made by order, not in bulk, the RC however will be sold in bulk meaning it would be cheaper since they are just gonna be rolling these things off the line in Japan, all they have to do is skip the roof and bolt on electric motor and collapsable roof in place of a hard roof.
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      Hed
    • November 22, 2014
    You clearly dont know much about car production. "You just do this, and you do that. Voila!!"
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      LexusGXman
    • November 22, 2014
    I don't mean its that simple I'm just shortening it down
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    LexusGXman
  • November 21, 2014
Also to mention what krew said, the color is definitely weird, I actually like the yellow but the grey, not only do I not like grey in general but with yellow and in a concept car where designers can poor their hearts out designing a car, why grey?
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      Hed
    • November 22, 2014
    Because designers love grey and they dont care that one guy on the Internet(you) dont like it.
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    tdh
  • November 22, 2014
What would they be calling this new model? RCC? I personally think that they will use the ISC name rather than RCC. Don't be surprise if the coming facelift for the IS adopts similar rear styling or near similar to the current RC. By then the IS and RC would be a family with 4 door sedan, 2 door coupe, 2+2 convertible. Just my opinion!
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      Hed
    • November 22, 2014
    I just love opinions. It's my favorite inion.
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    Richmond Giovanni Chan
  • November 22, 2014
And also one spot I've noticed, exhaust tips came from LF-LC
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    asdub
  • November 22, 2014
come on Lexus .... soft top cabriolet and a hard top coupé .....
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    kr_metal
  • November 22, 2014
I like the grillle way more than the current outgoing ones. This one doesn't look like an air dam.
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    Rob Grieveson
  • November 23, 2014
No! Why does it look like a Christmas tree for goodness sake Lexus - this not what your customers want no class at all looks cheap and nasty yet i am sure underneath it is neither. Marketing department needs a wake up call please.
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      RAL
    • November 23, 2014
    Good to hear a voice against the wind for a change. I think some people who frequent this site don't like this new predator look . . . but are just keeping silent. I saw an RC at our dealer the other day. I was hoping to like it better than I did. It had those tacky fog lights. They look even worse in real life. The predator mouth grille is beyond obtuse. People seem to really like it or really hate it. But, I really like the interior here. Plush and refined.
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      AstonMartin
    • November 24, 2014
    Thanks, I completely agree with your thoughts on the model. I look forward to seeing an RCF in black in the days to come and drive before snowfall. Its the best color to minimize the effects of the polarizing exterior and it works well to tame the busy lines giving it a stealth appearance. I agree that the interior looks advanced, comfortable and an overall preferable place to be than the M4. This is definitely not a "I love the design" car. More like I love the brand so let me get behind it. I don't think I can in this case and I may just continue saving for an even more premium sports car that I'm passionate about. Lexus dropped the ball on the design of the RC/RCF production model as I've expressed before and the brand seems lost to me. Lexus has committed to this outrageous design language in hopes of shaking up the industry but I believe its pushing even loyalist like myself away from the brand - for now. If the upcoming LS and SC are not styled properly, it will set Lexus back an entire generation.
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      RAL
    • November 24, 2014
    I always appreciate your feedback and I think your wise perspective. I recently heard a current GS model owner express reservation if the grille becomes too radical in the refresh. In his profession he needs the car to retain a certain level of refinement. Lexus could lose him and many others like him. We have been brand loyal since 2006 with 5 different Lexus vehicles. Love the brand and trying to stay behind it. I am hoping the new RX will blend more refinement with sportiness since the NX leans so heavily toward the sporty-aggressive stance. Don't really need the RX to be any bigger or a third row. Our needs have changed. So logically we should consider an NX. I can't justify to myself the premium you pay for the NX F Sport when there's not that much relative difference in performance to be had in a crossover. Then too I can't stomach the "fish with an overbite" look you have to settle for in the US non-F Sport model. I love the atomic silver color, but may have to settle for black for the purposes you expressed. No panoramic roof, not to mention a host of other options that will not be available on the NX in the US. My point: it is getting harder to remain brand loyal; which is a shame because I love everything about Lexus despite the radical styling of front fascia and the apparent slighting of some US models. I've shared these thoughts on the Lexus Advisory Board, but I think my words ring hollow in the current climate. I too hope a new LS and SC might be more to "everyone's" liking. Hopefully this radical styling chasing younger buyers represents growing pains and the pendulum will eventually begin to swing back towards refinement. Other brands have successfully combined sportiness with refinement. Why can't Lexus? I don't think Lexus can afford to lose the generation which helped make it great. The new sales numbers are impressive. Will these numbers lead to brand loyalty? And what happens when the novelty of the spindle wears thin? As with all product design, the more radical the style, the shorter the time span toward falling 'out-of-style'. Best regards.
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      AstonMartin
    • November 24, 2014
    Spot on again RAL. Thank you for your insight and glad I'm not alone. Lexus could be so much more - hopefully all of this is simply a hiccup in their growth. For now, I have to weight other options as my passionate pursuit is leading me away from the brand that began it.
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      RAL
    • November 24, 2014
    Fare thee well . .
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      OlFius
    • November 24, 2014
    I have almost the same feeling, and today I'm not so sure that Lexus is going in the right direction. They are looking clearly a new / different (younger) audience, Hopefully they can pay the bill. Anyway, for the same reason, I should take an RC in black :-)

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