We may still be mere weeks into the new year, but already the world’s car manufacturers have had a chance to unveil their latest models. And it seems fitting that the first major auto show of 2012 took place in the Motor City itself. That’s Detroit, if you’re not up on your United States city nicknames. In case you’re interested, Boston is Beantown and New Orleans is The Big Easy.
One of the standouts of the North American International Auto Show was the new concept from Lexus — the LF-LC sports car (pictured). Its creation was a simple one. Lexus challenged one of its design studios to create a car that represented the future of hybrid sports vehicles. And this, a 2+2 sports coupe with dot matrix-patterned lights and an aluminium-trimmed glass roof, was the result.
And it’s not just a flashy but never-to-see-the-production-line invention. The company predicts that the design cues seen here will be part of its range within two years. Which is pleasingly more precise than the “really soon, honest” promises usually associated with concepts.
Of course, Lexus wasn’t the only one showing off. Porsche revealed convertible versions of its 911 Carrera and Carrera S, while Acura, Honda’s luxury brand (based in Torrance, California — nickname T Town) finally disclosed details of its high-performance hybrid, the NSX.
All this excitement, and it’s only a month until the next big auto show, which takes place in February in Chicago. And everyone knows that one — The Windy City.