speedflex

WHOA!

http://www.insideline.com/lexus/lexu...e-in-2013.html


SANTA MONICA, California — Lexus plans to add a new performance coupe to its lineup for the 2014 model year. The two-door performance car will take the place of the former SC 430 coupe that was discontinued in 2010.

Lexus officials have not been shy about discussing the company's need for a high-end coupe. Last summer, a U.S.-based Lexus product planner told Inside Line that he would love to see a coupe in the lineup to help boost the emotional appeal of the brand. Earlier this year, Karl Schlicht, head of global product planning for Lexus, told Automotive News that the brand needs a sporty coupe to go with its renewed lineup of sedans and crossovers. The U.S. head of Lexus, Mark Templin, also said he wants a sport coupe in the $60,000-$70,000 range.

The two-door version of the GS you see here is the most likely candidate to fill that role. Its rear-wheel-drive layout and midsize proportions make it the perfect candidate to take on competing luxury coupes like the Audi A5/S5, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The current top-of-the-line GS sedan starts at around $60,000, so a coupe version would slide right into Templin's vision.

The only major hurdle for Lexus to overcome is deciding which drivetrains to use. The GS sedan uses a hybrid V6 in the top-of the-line GS 450h, while the GS 350 gets a V6 only. Neither setup is ideal for a true performance sedan, so it's possible that the coupe could arrive as a GS-F model with a unique drivetrain and tuning.

Given the heavy rollout of new Lexus models in 2012, the introduction of the GS coupe isn't likely until the first quarter of 2013 at the earliest, with sales beginning later in the year.

Inside Line says: If Lexus really wants to invigorate its lineup, a high-powered coupe based on the rear-wheel-drive GS would be a good start.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Interesting. For some reason I thought of the Camry coupe from the early 90's. This will be a nice move to have an entry with Audi A5 and not to mention the BMW 6 series.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

i think the article has it wrong. the lf-lc (might have that concept model name wrong) is an sc replacement (the article had that right), but that doesn't mean it's a "gs coupe".

they extrapolate from lexus saying there will be an sc replacement that it will be a gs coupe, which i'm doubtful of.

speedflex

Problem with using the LF-LC is that I doubt it will come in at the 60k price point so using the GS may be the better way to go.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

The SC430 shared the same platform as the 2GS.

The IS-C has a modified shortened platform of the 3GS.

I can see if the LF-LC would be a derivative of the 4GS...

spwolf

yeah... I bet there will be new SC but it wont look anything like GS.. more like that lf-lc.

pavelekPL

so is this picture the real deal, or a photoshop?

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

a photoshop

ydooby

Lexus has already stated that the LF-LC is based on a shorted version of the next-generation LS's platform.

bagwell

LOL that thing would strange as a coupe IMO....too big.

xsh0tya

I wonder what engine they will settle on. I would love to see a bigger IS-F V8 engine in it. Hopefully they make it top of class, keep the 2013 GS line best in the industry.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

They want to build an emotional coupe, it will need a powerful engine. Isf motor please!

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Personally, I'm still waiting on an IS-F coupe to come to market

GS350Lexus

iTrader: (5)

HELLL YEAAAAAAAAA GS COUPE FTMFW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That photoshop looks dope BTW

Fizzboy7

It must appear sporty and sleek, like the first SC and current G37. The photoshop rendering above reveals a greenhouse that is far too large and upright to be interesting.