Presenting: the Lexus LC 500 coupe

It is based on a new global GA-L platform, that is built for a range of luxury rear-wheel drive vehicles. There is plenty of rigidity matched by not much weight. There is also a suspension system aimed at giving a highly involving and rewarding drive. There should be plenty of grip and excitement but, at the same time, Lexus are not forgetting their core values of a comfortable, sophisticated ride.

The LC 500 should be able to manage to join both those circles in what will probably be more of a grand tourer than an all-out track vehicle. Mind you, it will have the same engine as the RC F, so we’re talking 467bhp and 389lb ft of torque. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 should sound pretty delicious too. But, oddly, Lexus have seen fit to add a sound generator, and in the exhaust there are sound control valves, as if they weren’t confident this would sound good enough.

It should sound pretty mellow and sonorous, helped by being mated to a ten-speed auto box. Unlike many dual-clutch systems, this is just single clutch. This saves weight and dimensions and, according to Lexus, will change gear with the same alacrity and fluidity as a dual clutch system.

What it sounds like and how much it costs are all things we are going to have to wait for. Not too long though. Lexus will be taking order during 2016.