Newtechfresh | Consumer Electronics Guide: TOKYO MOTOR SHOW

Leaving aside the exclusive, exorbitant and extremely limited production LFA and after fiddling around with coupe-convertible models like the second generation SC and IS C for more than a decade, Lexus has finally given in and presented a traditional coupe, one that a wider audienceshould be able to afford.

We've already provided you with a first taste of the 2015 Lexus RC, and now we can give a more detailed photo look at Lexus' BMW 4-Series and Audi A5 Coupe challenger, after several Japanese sites released a host of new pictures.

Speaking of the 4-Series, Lexus is following a very similar, if not identical path to BMW with the RC, which while based on the IS sedan, sports a more seductive body with different panels. The coupe also has a 70mm (2.8 inches) shorter wheelbase at 2,730mm (107.5 inches), but is both longer and wider by 30mm (1.2 inches) compare to the saloon.

Nevertheless, Lexus Chief Engineer Junichi Furuyama made it a point to tell Motortrend magazinethat the RC is a different car than the IS:

"One thing I want to emphasize, the aim of introducing this new model RC is to add a new level of excitement to the existing Lexus lineup," he said. "This is not an IS Coupe, it is the RC, a new coupe in its own right. It is an independent model. It’s not a deviated version of the IS so it has its own unique styling and its own unique performance."

As far as powertrains are concerned, Lexus mentioned the RC 350 featuring a 3.5-liter V6 and the RC 300h with a hybrid unit pairing a 2.5-liter inline four to an electric motor, without providing any other information, so we don't know, for example, if both or only one of these units (V6) will be sold in the States. For the record, both type of engines are available in the IS sedan (the hybrid not in the States).

Lexus didn't say it, but we know for a fact that it is preparing a high-performance F version to go against the BMW M4 (see the spy shots here, and our rendering here).

PHOTO GALLERY

Japanese carmakers may have been the ones to kick start the SUV and crossover craze in the mainstream segments, but it’s the Germans that applied the recipe in the premium categories, leaving the former to simply follow in their footsteps.

Lexus currently offers three SUVs, the popular RX(pictured above), now in its third generation with both hybrid and regular engine offerings, and the larger GX and LX that are related to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser 200 Series respectively.

By comparison, BMW has four models (X1, X3, X5 and X6), and is already preparing a fifth SUV with the X4 Concept revealed on Thursday, while Audi wants to double its portfolio with sportier versions of all three of its SUVs (Q3, Q5 and Q7) and there are similar plans from Mercedes-Benz as well (new GLA etc.).

Not to be left behind, Lexus has confirmed plans for the debut of a new premium-compact SUV to compete against the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA.

A company source told Autonews Europe that Lexus will preview a pre-production concept of the hybrid model based on parent company Toyota's RAV4 compact SUV at this year's Tokyo Motor Show in November, followed by the production version at next year's Geneva Salon in March.

It is believed that the hybrid version of the SUV will utilize the same four-cylinder 2.5-liter gasoline engine mated to an electric motor found in the Lexus IS 300h and other Toyota and Lexus models.

PHOTO GALLERY