According to the UK's Auto Express, the company has big plans for expanding the LC range, and the drop-top version of the stunning flagship coupe has already been given the green light by company bosses. Although the high-performance version hasn't been signed off on yet, it sounds as if it's only a matter of time before it does get the official go-ahead.
Although news of these extremely desirable new models will certainly excite Lexus fans, it could be as long as 18 months to two years until either or both of them finally start landing in showrooms.
The convertible LC will certainly address a glaring gap in the current Lexus lineup as there isn't a drop-top in the current portfolio, and Lexus doesn't have much of a pedigree in this area as the likes of the IS C and SC were never particularly well received.
Hopes of a new convertible were raised back in 2014 when the LF-C2 hinted that a convertible version of the RC was in the pipeline, but that model never made it into production, and the company understandably chose to concentrate on SUVs instead.
It seems Lexus now believes a convertible is an essential requirement for its range if it's to be taken seriously as a true challenger to the more established German premium brands. Yoshihiro Sawa, the president of Lexus International, told Auto Express, "I hope that we will have a convertible in the near future. We know the luxury market requires a convertible. We are always studying the possibilities. And yes, technically it's possible."
And as far as a high-performance LC F is concerned, Sawa also admitted, "We are studying many possibilities and more power is another candidate. It's not decided yet but in my mind, a high-performance LC is a good opportunity."
