Lexus wants to be cool. The LFA went a long way to establishing some serious cool cred for the brand, but one V10-powered carbon fiber supercar can’t carry the brand forever. The 2013 GS was the next step, combining a new look for the brand with a surprisingly balanced chassis. If they want to keep the game up, though, they need a follow-up in short succession. Enter…whatever car this is.

The teaser picture above doesn’t reveal much besides the front tire size (265/35/21, in case you don’t want to embiggen the image); we can sort of extrapolate/imagine the rest of the grille resembles the new GS’s corporate mug as well, but beyond that, what we see is what we get. We’ve heard rumors this might presage a new sports car punching below the LFA’s weight class and designed to fight the next Acura NSX, but this would be the first we’d heard of it. Considering the IS is now the oldest car in the Lexus lineup, we’re betting this is a concept version of the car maker’s small RWD sedan. If so, the next IS F could be one mean-looking mother. [via Lexus]

Press Release:

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 12, 2011 – Lexus will unveil a new concept vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 9, 2012. Designed by Calty, the company’s design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the concept showcases the new design direction embraced by Lexus.