The Lexus Sport Concept could be more than just a design study, possibly becoming the long-awaited successor to the LFA.
Lexus has just completely stolen the limelight at this year’s Monterey Car Week, as the Japanese automaker revealed its new concept model, simply known as the Lexus Sport Concept. Interestingly, this sporty concept could be more than just a design study, possibly becoming the long-awaited successor to the LFA supercar.
And just like any new concept model, the Lexus Sport Concept serves as a preview to the brand’s design language evolution, and compared to the more extreme Lexus Electrified Sport Concept previewed years ago, it looks much closer to an actual production model.
For starters, the Sport Concept does get some familiar Lexus design bits, with the most obvious being its L-shaped LED headlights that are integrated seamlessly into the side intakes. The front grille design also borrows some inspiration from current Lexus models, particularly its trapezoidal shape.
The similarities to the LFA are more prominent on the side, where the Sport Concept adopts the same long-hooded GT coupe bodystyle as its apparent predecessor. The elongated front hood is accompanied by sculpted fenders, giving the car a more muscular stance, while the vents behind the wheels and C-pillars also harken back to the LFA.
Things are quite radical at the rear, where the concept sports a large rear diffuser with an F1-style centre brake light, plus an active rear wing. They are accompanied by a wide LED taillight strip that runs across the width, featuring an illuminated Lexus badge right at the centre.
As of now, Lexus has yet to reveal the full interior of the Sport Concept, but the preview video does include some partial shots of its cabin, which seems to be quite modern and futuristic with a yoke-style steering wheel and a fully digital metre panel.
Predictably, Lexus has also not disclosed any powertrain or mechanical details on this concept, but the lack of a tailpipe from it does point out that this radical design study could be fully electric. This also explains why the Sport Concept is often touted as the continuation of the aforementioned Lexus Electrified Sport Concept, so perhaps it’ll be wise to expect it won’t be screaming as loud as the LFA.
Lexus LFA
An all-electric successor to the LFA might sound ludicrous for enthusiasts, but this idea was actually suggested by then Lexus CEO Koji Sato a few years ago, who inspired a future Lexus electric sportscar that would carry the spirit of the LFA. Sato, currently the CEO of Toyota, also teased the idea of a simulated manual transmission a la Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, in a bid to enhance the driver’s engagement with the car.
Whether it’ll be the all-electric successor to the LFA or just a replacement for the ageing LC, the Lexus Sport Concept surely gave enthusiasts a lot of hope for the brand’s future. As long as they manage to keep the production version close to this concept, then Lexus might have yet another legend in the making.
