Lexus LF-CC: A Japanese Grille Opens in Paris

September 28, 2012, 11:06 am

By JERRY GARRETT

PARIS - Lexus has released the latest in its series of “Grilles Gone Wild” concept cars.

On Thursday, the luxury arm of Toyota showed the LF-CC, a sharply sculpted coupe that may not so subtly indicate the styling direction of the next line of IS compact vehicles.

The car's signature feature is a grille bordering on caricature, which from certain angles and in certain lighting might evoke thoughts of a 19th century steam locomotive's “cow-catcher” pilot frame. The so-called spindle grille has been anointed the face of Lexus, appearing on the 2012 GS sports sedan and 2013 ES midsize sedan, albeit in tamer applications.

“The LF-CC showcases the latest evolution of the company's uniq ue L-finesse design language, with the boldest yet interpretation of the signature Lexus ‘spindle' grille,” the brand said in a media release. “Framed by the bonnet lip, deep lower spoiler and powerfully projecting front fender tips, the grille mesh is encased in a deep, metal-finish surround and takes on a pronounced, 3-D form.”

Of course, there's more expository description. Suffice it to say, Lexus sees its notice-me frontal design, similar to earlier efforts on the LF-A supercar and LF-LC concept sports car, as the torch bearer for a more aggressive approach to its lineup of luxury offerings. A few drops of Pickapeppa sauce in the Lexus styling recipe seem to have shaken entrenched perceptions. In his review of the 2012 GS for The Times, Lawrence Ulrich called the face “a dead ringer for the Predator of sci-fi movie fame.”

Almost lost in the maw is perhaps the most relevant feature of the LF-CC: the power plant to which the yawning frontal device channels air.

Lexus said the LF-CC is equipped with a new direct-injected 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor - for all intents and purposes a hybrid powertrain. But there is also a generator that can feed power into a battery pack and a power splitter that “combines and reallocates power from the engine, electric motor and generator according to operational requirements.” Governing all these interactions is a separate power control unit.

The brand did not go into specifics about the battery's chemistry, nor did it state individual or combined outputs for the powertrain's various bits, but “class-leading energy efficiency” was promised, either way.

The company did divulge that the powertrain, unlike the LF-CC, was approved for production and would be introduced into its model range “in the near future.”

Accounting for the recently discontinued HS, the Lexus hybrid lineup includes the CT 200h hatchback, RX 450h cross over, GS 450h sports sedan and LS 600h L luxury sedan.