Usually concept cars are just that – an opportunity for designers to show off that they’re still alive and that they don’t particularly like all of the terrible regulatory hassle that’s associated with roadgoing vehicles these days. Pesky safety.

The Lexus LF-LC concept back in 2012 was much along those lines – it established the company’s new look and put a bit of emotion into the brand. It was well-received at the Detroit motor show that year, but surprisingly for everyone big boss Akio Toyoda gave the California-penned project the green light for production. It wasn’t an easy job – an entirely new platform had to be developed.

 

First impressions

The LC looks like nothing else on the road – with a lot of me-too design around the place, usually led by the traditional German brands, it remains refreshing that there's a company like Lexus willing to be distinctive. That hasn’t always paid off, but here it does. The looks are sharp and bold and will break the ice with literally anyone you drive past.

If the styling doesn’t get you noticed, then turning on the 5-litre V8 engine certainly will. It’s an obscene and wonderful thing – distinctly naughty in a world where eco-credentials are becoming everything, but there’s a hybrid alternative if you really do feel terrible. It very much depends what side of the car’s personality appeals to you – the more comfortable grand tourer appreciates the hybrid, but the roaring sports car demands the V8.

The interior of the LC is a p...