5 Paris Motor Show Originals

The latest drophead from Toyota's Tokyo design studio - the Lexus IS 250C - will roll into dealer showrooms late next spring. With the right weather, a new owner might just be able to drive off the lot with the convertible hardtop down, a 20-second process according to Lexus.

By adding 21 inches behind the rear wheels, Lexus has found space to stow the hardtop with no adverse effect on luggage capacity. Additional rear headroom is achieved by cheating the rear seats inward about a foot toward the car's centerline. Thinner front seats give more legroom to rear seat passengers.

North American-bound 250Cs will come standard with the 2.5-liter V-6 with an option to fit the 3.5-liter V-6. Only the 2.5 will be available in Europe. Pricing has yet to be determined.