Lexus to launch supercar

Details of the car have yet to be made available, but it is set to drive the Japanese brand into the rarefied, £100,000-plus motoring arena. Planned to be in UK showrooms by the end of the decade, the all-new product will intensify the company's challenge for a share of the premium luxury sector traditionally dominated by European manufacturers. “This car will not be an adaptation of anything that already exists – it will be something entirely different,” said Lexus GB director Steve Settle.

“It promises to set a fresh standard in the hybrid technology to which Lexus is totally committed and we are very excited about it. But before we expand at the top end of the market, we will also be adding to the hybrid offer at the lower end of our range.” News of the new model came as the company previewed the LS 600h, its next luxury hybrid to be launched in autumn at an expected cost of £85,000.

Lexus GB is taking technicians from each of its 52 centres to a two-day seminar in Spain next month for specific training on the 600h, which follows the introduction of RX and GS hybrid models. “Training has already been given on hybrid technology but we want to be absolutely sure that the entire network is fully able to meet the high expectations of the new customers that are being attracted to our cars,” said Settle.