New Lexus Concept teased ahead of Detroit debut

Literally no information has been offered on the Lexus Concept coming to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but today’s announcement explained that this new Lexus Concept was designed by Calty (the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, California) and that this vehicle will offer the world a first look at the new design direction for the Japanese luxury brand.

Toyota hasn’t offered any information on the Lexus Concept, including what type of vehicle it will be but based on the single image included with today’s announcement (shown on the right), the new Lexus Concept headed to the Detroit Auto Show certainly appears to be a sports car. The image shows strikingly sharp angles with exaggerated, protruding wheel openings that would certainly fit the part of sports car styling. The front end looks to have a long, extended nose with the LED projection headlights flowing into what looks to be smooth LED driving lights. Below the headlights there is a large opening that would serve nicely in helping to cool the brakes of a new Lexus sports car and while the image cuts short of the grille, it looks like this new Lexus Concept will have a large opening for proper engine cooling – and maybe room for an intercooler?

The image on the right of the new Lexus Concept coming to the Detroit Auto Show almost looks to carry some of the lines of the Toyota GT-86/Scion FR-S although the tightly cropped image makes it hard to tell just how big this new Lexus Concept may be. Could this new Lexus be based on a similar architecture – or overall design theme – with the sports coupe designed jointly between Toyota and Subaru? The Toyota GT-86 and Scion FR-S is designed to be a lightweight, low priced sports coupe focusing more on handing than high power but you have to wonder if this new image offers us a look at the Lexus take on the GT-86/FR-S/Subaru BRZ. Imagine the lightweight Toyota GT-86 equipped with a higher performance engine and fitted with Lexus logos on the outside while the inside gets a handful of high-end appointments to justify badging this car as a luxury model.

Again, this is all speculation on “what could be” based on the image on the right but when the 2012 NAIAS opens at Detroit’s Cobo Hall on January 9th, the world will have a good clear look at this aggressive looking Lexus Concept – be it a sports car based on the Toyota/Subaru partnership or something completely different. Tell us what you think of the Lexus Concept with our new comment system on the right!

Other Detroit Auto Show News:
The new Acura NSX Concept to debut at 2012 NAIAS