Fresh from its award-winning debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the LF-LC hybrid concept has taken more honours at the 2012 Chicago motor show.

Back in January, the LF-LC was awarded the EyesOn Design award for best concept vehicle at the Detroit show. The judges, made up of leaders in the field of automotive design, praised the LF-LC’s “great surface development”, giving it top marks over the Chevrolet Tru 140S and the Lincoln MKZ.

Fast-forward another month and the concept car’s now taken the public vote in Chicago. Voting took place over 10 days, giving motoring fans and car enthusiasts the chance to take in all of the vehicles on display.

The Calty-designed Lexus LF-LC concept captivated show goers, scoring the highest marks in the concept car category, beating the Cadillac Ciel into second place.

In all, nearly 8000 consumers voted for the best of show awards at the Chicago show, which included Best Concept Vehicle, Best All-New Production Vehicle, Best Green Vehicle, Best Exhibit and ‘Vehicle I’d most like to have in my driveway’.

As we announced here, the hybrid 2+2 sport coupe is a driver-focused design concept that displays a potential new Lexus design language.

It showcases the signature Lexus spindle grille introduced by the new GS and a powerful silhouette reminiscent of the LFA. There are no confirmed plans to bring the vehicle to production.

The next stop for LF-LC is closer to home for our UK readers, with its European debut set to take place at the 82nd International Motor Show in Geneva.

Does a third award await? We’ll have to wait and see – until then, take a good look at the LF-LC from almost every angle by visiting our online photo gallery, here.

For all the latest news from Lexus at the 2012 Geneva motor show, follow @OfficialLexusUK on Twitter, like us on Facebook and add blog.lexus.co.uk to your bookmarks.

Not only have the Lexus engineers fine-tuned every element of the new saloon’s ride and handling, they’ve collaborated with experts Mark Levinson on a premium sound package, tuned to suit the most discerning drivers.

During the development process, engineers focused on making the sound of the system as “realistic” as possible. And with DAB radio, a CD player plus MP3 player and USB integration as standard, the new GS has every audio format covered allowing you to your play music on the move, however you choose to store it.

Making the most of this are 17 ultra-high efficiency speakers that work in harmony with the Class-D digital amplifier to create a 10-channel system capable of reproducing a 360-degree sound experience.

Thanks to Lexus new GreenEdge technology, speakers are shallower and lighter than those used previously. An ultra-efficient magnet design means they use half the energy – helping improve the efficiency of the vehicle.

The new shallower speaker design also improves boot capacity, as the 25cm diameter sub-woofer mounted in the car’s trunk occupies a much smaller space.

Attention to detail includes specially developed door panels that appeal to the ears as much as the eyes. Their lightweight yet rigid design is shaped to minimise unwanted vibrations.

Even the entry-level new GS comes with a high-performance Lexus 12-speaker, 299W audio system for a rich, powerful audio environment.

Renowned audio equipment manufacturer Mark Levinson has worked with Lexus on the GS since the original model was launched in 1993. Almost 20 years on, this collaboration is reflected in every corner of the all-new GS.

To find out more about the all-new Lexus GS, click here. To see our full GS photo gallery, click this link.

Hot on the heels of the announcement official pricing come awards for Lexus reliability and news of the GS spectacular development programme.

It’s been revealed that Lexus engineers drove the new GS more than 1,000,000 miles on a journey that took the development team across the world in search of the toughest roads, and hottest and coldest weather.

During that time, the team spent countless hours tuning the ride, handling and character of the all-new car.

Led by development chief Yoshihiko Kanamori, the project’s engineers were given a set of simple key objectives – to create an emotional, exciting driving experience and to develop a design to match. The team also had to advance Lexus leadership in hybrid technology and safety and provide the best possible interior package. No easy task…

While design was dealt with separately, the focus of much of the 1,000,000 mile drive was on hybrid technology, suspension and comfort – but by widening the track by almost two inches and increasing the body rigidity by 14% the team improved the car’s stability, refinement and handling precision.

And to make sure the GS was truly exciting to drive, both rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions of the car were created, along with an all-new front and rear suspension system.

Engineered using aluminium components and larger bushings, the advanced suspension design reduces weight and significantly improves agility.

Don’t miss this short video of the GS in action.

The new GS is available to order now. Find out more about the car here.

The Tournament promotes skills and sportsmanship among young players through a friendly but hard-fought rugby competition. In total, the 2011/12 tournament will bring around 3,000 players together, aged between eight and 13, in 120 teams from 80 schools.

The competition’s first South East Regional Festival is due to take place this Sunday, 19 February, at Kings House Sports Ground with the under 13s battling it out for a place in the finals. Matches continue on the 26 February with the U8, U9, U10 and U11 teams all playing, again to fight their way for a position in the finals. The National Final will then take place at Epsom College on 4 March which should prove to be an opportunity to see the very best in youth rugby today, not to be missed!

Lexus is a proud sponsor of the Tournament, now in it’s 15th year, and is delighted to see so many schools taking part. The Lexus National Schools Rugby Tournament comprises four regional festivals, in Warwick, Reigate, Richmond and Epsom, from which the top teams will progress to the competition finals at Epsom College on 4 March. To find out more, visit the Lexus NSRT website.

Now we can bring all you GS fans some further news, as Lexus has just released the prices for the entire new GS range in the UK.

And it’s good news indeed: the prices start at £32,995 for GS 250 SE, going up to £50,995 for the GS 450h Premier and GS 450 F Sport.

SE

Powered by a 206bhp (154kW) 2.5-litre V6 Dual VVT-i petrol engine, the GS 250 SE’s specification includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic bi-xenon headlamps and windscreen wipers, LED daytime running lights and a rear-view camera with parking guide monitor. Cabin comfort is assured with leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control and electrically adjustable front seats (10-way, with memory setting for the driver’s seat) with heating and ventilation functions. The steering wheel is electrically adjustable, too, and incorporates paddle shifts. On-board entertainment is provided by a 12-speaker audio system with CD player, DAB tuner, Bluetooth and USB/Aux ports for connecting personal music players.

Luxury

The Luxury grade builds on the SE specification with the introduction of 18-inch alloys, front and rear parking sensors, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an HDD satellite navigation system with Remote Touch controller. The Luxury grade also provides a new blind spot detection system integrated into the folding/auto-dimming door mirrors.

F Sport

F Sport versions of GS make a bolder style statement thanks to 19-inch rims, a boot-lip spoiler and sports-styled bumpers and front grille. The F Sport look carries through to the cabin with sports pedals and perforated leather-trimmed sports steering wheel and gear knob. The front sports seats gain further adjustment functions – 16-way for the driver, plus four-way lumbar support.

The F Sport grade benefits from Adaptive Variable Suspension and selectable drive modes plus, on the GS 450h model, the Lexus Dynamic Handling System, which brings together a comprehensive array of steering and handling features, including Dynamic Rear Steering, electric power steering, Variable Gear Ratio Steering and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management.

Premier

At the top of the range, the GS 450h Premier is fitted with 18-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels and the same bi-xenon headlamp system and adaptive suspension and selectable drive modes as the F Sport models.

In the cabin the seats are upholstered in semi-aniline leather, with both front seats benefiting from 18-way electric adjustment and memory settings. The passenger seat offers extra leg support and a rear easy access function.

The sophisticated climate control system is divided three-ways between the front left and right and rear sections of the cabin, and is equipped with an ioniser to help maintain an ideal environment. The HDD navigation and premium Mark Levinson sound system are linked to a 12.3-inch central display screen, the largest on the market.

Exterior colours

Nine exterior colours are available for SE, Luxury and Premier models: Arctic Pearl, Sonic Silver, Velvet Black, Mercury Grey, Meteor Blue, Crimson Red, Atlantic Blue, Celestial Black and, for GS 450h only, Obsidian Black.

The F Sport models have a different range of colours: Arctic Pearl, Sonic Silver, Velvet Black, Mercury Grey and Crimson Red, as well as six leather colours with a Garnet red exclusive to the F Sport.

Pricing

Below are the on-the-road prices for the new GS range:

The GS is available to order now, with first customer deliveries from mid-June. For all the latest GS and Lexus news, check out the Facebook page, our Twitter feed and the Lexus blog.

Of course, Kylie’s no stranger to the CT 200h, having starred in the ‘Quiet Revolution’ campaign that launched the new Lexus in the UK last year. To find out more, including behind the scenes videos and exclusive interviews with Kylie, click here.

Introducing the concept, Karl Schlicht, General Manager, Lexus Product and Marketing Planning Division in North America, said: “We are in the middle of the biggest change in Lexus’s history, inspired by a new generation of distinctive design.

“The new GS embodies this with its sculpted spindle grille as our symbol of change. And now, the next chapter of Lexus evolves with this coupe design concept. With its striking looks, this concept hybrid 2+2 hints at the design cues that are coming in a wave of new Lexus models over the next two years.”

When Lexus in Japan challenged the Calty design studio to design the future hybrid sport coupe concept, Calty leapt at the chance. The approach: moving the definition of Lexus design forward with avant-garde beauty and advanced technology. So how was this achieved?

Exterior

The LF-LC displays the new Lexus design language in its bold interpretation of the signature Lexus spindle grille and rear architecture.

Framed by a deep aluminium surround, the mesh pattern of the spindle grille takes on a 3D form, while functional air intakes in the bottom corners of the grille demonstrate a fusion of distinctive style and engineering functionality.

The daytime running lights are L-shaped and the vertical fog lamps have a fading dot matrix pattern that suggests movement. In profile the LF-LC has a powerful silhouette – reminiscent of the LFA – while overall the lines of the vehicle emphasise direction and motion.

The concept car’s glass roof has a lightweight, cantilevered pillar with a glass-to-glass juncture inspired by modern architecture. Distinctive elements include a kick-up window graphic and polished aluminium trim. The greenhouse design improves visibility for the driver as well as adding to the sleek lines of the car.

The dynamic cabin lines are carried through to the rear deck, integrating the spindle grille theme to echo the front of the vehicle and creating a sense of width. The tail lamps use inner lighting to give a strong sense of depth, and the rear fog lamps repeat the fading dot matrix pattern of those at the front. The integrated tail and fog lamps repeat the “L” shape and lead the eye down to the quad exhaust design.

Interior

The interior of the LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept contrasts the cool ambience of advanced technology with soft textures and organic shapes. The design is driver-focused and neatly brings together form and function in a coherent whole.

The cockpit is designed to feel both open and secure. Deeply scooped side panels and a high, curved console surround the driver, creating a focus on the controls and the road ahead.

True to Lexus’s commitment to making driving an intuitive experience, the LF-LC features a remote touch-screen system that allows the driver to operate controls without shifting position or altering line-of-sight.

Twin 12.3-inch LCD screens provide information and navigation displays. A touch-screen in the centre console is used to control the audio system, climate controls and navigation, with a pop-up touch-screen keyboard for more complex commands.

Similar touch-screen surfaces on each door are used to operate the windows, mirrors, seat positions and personal entertainment settings.

Multi-level meters set directly in front of the driver layer analogue and LCD technologies:

The bottom layer displays temperature, fuel and the background for the Eco meter; the middle layer is the tachometer’s mechanical ring; and the topmost layer provides indicators for the tachometer, speedometer and Eco meter.

Surfaces throughout the cabin are finished in a combination of smooth leather and suede, with brushed metal trim and wood accents. The lightweight, race-inspired front seats are formed of multiple layers and repeat the interlacing curves that define the cabin’s styling. The racing-style steering wheel has a lightweight design and contains integrated controls and a start button.

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.

Just to let you know, we will be running a reduced service on the Lexus blog, Facebook and Twitter from 24 December 2011 to 2 January 2012 (inclusive). Please feel free to leave us general comments, however any specific queries should be directed here (Christmas opening hours will apply).

Here’s to an exciting 2012 – the year of CT 200h F SPORT and, of course, the new GS range.

Merry Christmas!

Lexus

Created at Lexus’s Calty design studio in California, the 2+2 sport coupe has a distinctive and futuristic new look thanks to its clean lines, while high technology and organic shapes combine to connect the driver to the car.

The LF-LC will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on 9 January 2012.

Update 04/01/12, 10.36am: New images of the striking LF-LC have now been revealed – click here to see the photo gallery.

While the Lexus Hybrid Drive system is engineered for efficiency, it can be hard to get the best fuel consumption from your Lexus vehicle – especially in conditions such as the cold weather we are currently experiencing. To help you get the very best out of your Lexus, we have produced the following hybrid driving tips for you.

- Anticipate road conditions to avoid sudden braking and acceleration. Try to drive consistently

- Plan to keep moving and release the throttle pedal early – you gain MPG and regenerate some energy

- Gentle and early braking boosts regeneration, keeping the battery well-charged and allowing you to do more electric-only driving

- If travelling down a hill, encourage regenerative braking so that maximum benefit of the electric motor can be used for the ascent. Do not brake harder than the maximum reach of the meter, as braking energy beyond that point is not stored.

- Use gravity and momentum at all times to encourage electric-only driving. Electric driving is not limited to 28/30mph; accelerate to the required speed, then fully release the throttle to return to the lower areas of the eco zone to drive electrically at higher speeds

- Try to keep within the first part of the eco zone. Select ECO mode for smooth control

- Use EV mode at low speeds for silent, zero-emission driving. Combine it with ECO mode to stay in the eco zone, or combine it with POWER/SPORT mode for a more responsive EV drive

- To accelerate with optimum efficiency, use full throttle for a short burst of maximum power. When the desired speed is reached, lift off and immediately press the throttle again to put the meter in the eco zone to maintain your speed

- Ensure good maintenance (tyre pressures, oil, battery vent clear and excess weight removed)

- Use Climate Control sensibly

- When stationary, DO NOT select ‘N’ neutral as electricity will not be generated and the hybrid battery will discharge

- Consider the use of Cruise Control (at efficient speeds)

- Watch the instruments to help you understand the state of the system

If you have any further questions about driving economically or about Lexus Hybrid Drive, just leave a comment below, get in touch on Twitter or join us on Facebook.