New Lexus LC 500 breaks cover

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Lexus has revealed its all-new LC 500, a four-seat coupe that is expected to go on sale later this year.

The car, which was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show, is the production model offspring of the LF-LC concept from 2012 and inherits much of the design language and ideology. Most of its styling cues are unmistakably Lexus, such as the huge angular grille and headlights, while the 45-degree vent feeding into the rear wheel arch hints at the company's LFA supercar.

The LC 500 is the first vehicle to be spun from Lexus' new rear-wheel-drive platform architecture and is constructed with a mixture of steel and aluminium. A carbon fibre roof is optional.

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The 467bhp V8 powerplant under the bonnet is a 5.0-litre, naturally aspirated set-up with 389lb ft of torque at 4800rpm.

Power is supplied to the rear wheels via a ten-speed single-clutch automatic gearbox, which, says Lexus, saves weight and can swap cogs just as fast as a DCT.

Regardless, Evo says the car is set up to be a grand tourer rather than an all-out, focussed performance car, even if the LC 500 has been created to give Lexus a more performance-orientated image, says Autocar.

Inside, the LC 500 introduces Lexus's 2017 multimedia pack, as well as a digital dashboard and plenty of leather.

No prices or a release date have been confirmed yet. Auto Express says that the Mercedes-AMG GT rival will be on sale later this year though.