2018 Lexus LC 500 Competes in Car & Driver Lightning Lap

I can only imagine what an LCF would be like.

I wonder how much faster it would be with a TVD.

Here's to all the "reviewers and commentators" who said the LC was slow, heavy, sluggish.

And ending up being faster than the actual regular F cars. There should be no doubt the F cars are fast as they have been proven to be competitive with their counterparts. Not necessarily faster but right on par.

LC = 4370lb--->>471hp 389tq
zl1 = 4113lb--->>650hp 650tq
lfa = 3263lb--->>535hp 354tq
s8 = 4685lb--->>605hp 517tq

that's pretty impressive for a base LC

zeusus

Here's to all the "reviewers and commentators" who said the LC was slow, heavy, sluggish.

And ending up being faster than the actual regular F cars. There should be no doubt the F cars are fast as they have been proven to be competitive with their counterparts. Not necessarily faster but right on par.

Thank you. I think we needed that.

impressive video. As some might know, I have driven my LC (performance package) on a track 4 separate days, including the Indianapolis Motor speedway. But, as you might have read, I have had serious problems with the engine oil overheating and the transmission oil overheating when running in Sport+ mode. Clearly the laps recorded here were done in Sport+ mode. Unfortunately, for me, my dealership has nothing to say and neither does Lexus. Either there is something wrong with my car, or the LC cannot run long in Sport+ on a track. It takes my car 6 minutes for the engine oil to get very hot, and about 8-10 minutes for the transmission fluid overheating warning to come on.

so, this looks all well and good, but it seems that it is not reflecting what the true LC capabilities of the LC are, that is that it really is not capable of sustained track use. Unless, Lexus wants to prove to me otherwise.

I finally did hear from Lexus, which is what I really wanted. They had been in extensive contact with my dealership about this, but I had not heard and each thought the other had contacted me.

In short, the LC500 is not designed for the track, it's not a F car, but it can run for some laps on a track in S+ (as was done in C& D Lightning Lap), but likely did only a few for this track day and was cooled down. after a couple of laps It doesn't have the cooling vent apparatus that will allow for continuous track driving in S+.

My conclusion is that the LC is a fast car, but right now only ready for short sprints. Just like runners or swimmers, there are some that are great at sprints, but not for endurance races. The RC F and GS F can be run continuously in S+ on a track and are more like the endurance racers.

However, the LC F will have both and will blow the socks off the other Fs and the LFA

If cooling is the main issue, I'll be shocked if aftermarket parts guys aren't already testing solutions.

Ian Schmidt

If cooling is the main issue, I'll be shocked if aftermarket parts guys aren't already testing solutions.

The thing is that how many LC owners will be taking their cars to the track? If its less than 100, I wonder if that would be a viable business case for an aftermarket company to make one? Perhaps if they factor in Japan, it could be plausible especially if a "JDM" company can produce a suitable one. Even if they break down more, a lot of older BMW owners do just that and there's plenty of aftermarket support.

Tragic Bronson

The thing is that how many LC owners will be taking their cars to the track? If its less than 100, I wonder if that would be a viable business case for an aftermarket company to make one? Perhaps if they factor in Japan, it could be plausible especially if a "JDM" company can produce a suitable one. Even if they break down more, a lot of older BMW owners do just that and there's plenty of aftermarket support.

i doubt that there are many, nothing close to 100. It takes quite a commitment of time, energy, and money (but LC owners should be able to afford it). Also, there is track driving, and the high performance track driving where you must have an instructor and, boy, let me tell you, you really put the car to the test. Anyway, it would take putting vents in the hood and on the side panels and make sure that they are properly directing the airflow so it cools properly. In addition, the RC F's transmission is designed specially for track driving and, I believe, you have to change the design so the fluid circulates in a fashion that allows for faster cooling. It's not trivial. Most of the aftermarked additions to the LC that I have seen are all about looks, cool lips, side panels, and rear spoilers. They do make the car look good, but not perform well (well, there is a company in Texas that markets air intakes that are supposed to add 15 HP, but that doesn't deal with the cooling issue.

The LC F will have all of that down. One good thing is that apparently the LC F is a reality, but I guess we all knew that

There are different factors for a vehicle to overheat, the Z06 is a basically a track car that has a well documented overheating issue that was seemingly fixed for the 2018 model year. Years ago when my GS 400 was running high temps at the track some simple aftermarket coolers and changing coolent/oil did wonders. That said Peter's data is highly valuable and hopefully something is adjusted.

Considering the LC weighs quite a bit more than the RC F/GS F these times are very impressive. Mind you the LC is running a run flat tire which is not the best at the track. I suspect going with some Michelin Super Sports would cut times even more!