Dealers’ cry for more volume sees RC Convertible get the axe

Photos of the concept Lexus had on its show stand in Los Angeles — the LF-C2 — do not do the car justice. And, thanks to the outcry of Lexus dealers wanting a crossover-based 3-row vehicle to drive up sales volume, a planned production version of the concept has been axed.

Engineers, who fully expected the new RC coupe to spawn a convertible variant, built in extra reinforcement for the sporty two door. Now those same engineers are slightly miffed since they could have made the RC coupe a fair bit lighter.

The new 3-row crossover will be built instead, likely based on the rear-wheel drive platform of the Lexus LS. It would be a more efficient and slightly smaller option than the current truck-based GX 460, a vehicle that isn’t flying off Lexus dealer lots.

Motor Trend also reports we should expect the new 2.0L Atkinson-cycle turbo engine in the NX to make its way to the RC and IS, making their debuts in the near future.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Gallery: Lexus LF-C2 Concept – Los Angeles Auto Show