It was late last summer when we first heard the rumor that Lexus intends to build a convertible variant of its stunning LC grand tourer halo car, which debuted three years ago. Prior to that, most of our attention was on the subject of a potential high-performance LC F coupe. While that's still unconfirmed, Lexus has now unveiled the LC Convertible Concept here at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show.

Although it's only a concept for now, don't expect the design to change to radically if it receives the production green light. Lexus says the design goal of this beautiful concept was the expression of "ultimate beauty." Its general shape, obviously, comes directly from the coupe and but it doesn't look like this was merely was chop and dice job.

The topless look works very nicely and seems totally natural. If we were told Lexus designed the convertible before the coupe, we'd believe them. "It blends all the best aspects of the original coupe with the dynamic design of an open-air convertible," said Tadao Mori, the concept's design chief. "This concept takes the unmistakable design of the LC coupe and reimagines it as a future convertible."

The last two words of Mori's statement are very telling. Looking at the concept in some more detail, the rake of the windshield to the smooth contours of the rear decklid where the top is stored were all designed to create an "emotional response," as Lexus puts it. The general shape is described as "long, low and lean."

As with the coupe, the concept's interior is a near masterpiece. The attention to detail is extraordinary, something we noticed during our own time at the wheel of the LC 500h coupe. The concept's leather seats, for example, feature yellow accent stitching for a subtle look of elegance.

Combined with the short front overhangs, 22-inch wheels and a wide stance, the LC Convertible Concept is truly a work of art that we wouldn't be at all surprised to see make production. "A production version of this concept would be exhilarating in many different ways," Mori-san added. "You would see its dynamic lines as you approach, hear its engine when you started it up and feel everything around you once on the road. It would engage the senses in a way that is unique and exciting every time you got behind the wheel."

Speaking of the engine, Lexus did not specifically say what's under the concept's hood, but a fair assumption would be the LC 500 coupe's naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. We'll be at Detroit next week so plenty of more details and live pictures to come.