Lexus has announced the world premiere of a new hybrid coupe concept for the Paris motor show. The Toyota division says the LF-CC, which previews a new D-segment coupe, is powered by a new 2.5-litre hybrid engine.
The LF-CC sees the first application of the smaller petrol-electric powertrain which the chief engineer of the larger GS sedan mentioned in a June 2012 interview with just-auto. Lexus has already stated that such an engine will become available in the GS in 2013. It now says it has a “target” of fewer than 100g/km of CO2 and expects the powertrain to be the most efficient in its class, producing more than 2bhp per gram of CO2.
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The combination of a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor already exists in Toyota’s powertrain portfolio, being used for the Camry Hybrid and Lexus ES 300h but this is the first application for a rear-wheel drive car.
A toned-down version of the LF-CC will be seen in the form of a “new Lexus mid-size coupe in the near future” a statement from Lexus notes. This is expected to be the two-door version of the next generation IS range to compete with the replacement for the BMW 3 Series Coupe and its rivals.
Author: Glenn Brooks
