While it’s still true that Lexus will probably not make anyone’s offhand shortlist when running down the world’s most desirable V8 Grand Tourers, a new version of the LC might help inch it up to that upper echelon.
Provisionally referred to as the LC F, this oft-rumoured flagship sports car seems to be quickly approaching a full reveal as spy shots have shown it to only be wearing minimal amounts of camouflage and having a noticeable lack of false panelling.
The prototype, which was seen testing alongside the the A90 Supra from parent company Toyota, seems to not have had its body altered too much, closely resembling the standard Lexus LC, albeit with a pair of diagonal twin exhaust exits and additional visibly more prominent radiators flanking its front Spindle grille.
Naturally, these will be neatly covered up as the car heads towards its production state, but helpfully emphasises the possible engineering goals the Lexus F division has set for it. Namely, the extra cooling might be necessary to help regulate temperatures of a higher tuned version of the 5.0-litre 2UR-GSE naturally aspirated V8 engine.
In the LC 500, the engine produces 351kW and 540Nm, an output that’s a hair above the Lexus RC F and GS F in which it also resides. By optimising its internals and perhaps increasing its redline, they might have been able to push the engine closer to the 373kW (500hp) mark.
In parallel to that, the LC F’s uprated engine might have less weight tug along thanks to even more liberal use of composite material and carbon fibre in its construction as well as having much of its luxury-focused interior items removed outright.
With all these improvements in the name of performance, Lexus might have a high performance sporting GT to really worry the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GT, Jaguar F-Type R, and Aston Martin Vantage. But only time will tell if it grants a deserving Lexus entry into that coveted shortlist.
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