Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in Germany!!

Posted by Kevin on July 23rd, 2018

A new Lexus LC F prototype has been caught testing in Germany, and it’s showing a lot of skin. There are performance upgrades visible everywhere — take a look at the exposed radiator in the front bumper cutouts:

Lexus LC F Prototype

This close-up also shows the fender extending over the tire, making room for a wider track and signature Lexus F front fender vents. Turn to the side profile, and there’s not much to separate it from the standard LC:

Lexus LC F Prototype Side

Coming around to the rear, and there’s a set of quad-exhaust pipes that removes any doubt that we’re looking at an LC F. There’s also a taped-up Mercedes C-Class filming the prototype, which is only slightly weird:

Lexus LC F Rear Prototype

Given the state of this prototype, a production LC F is unlikely to be right around the corner — most speculation centers around a 2020 release, and this is a work-in-progress to be sure. Regardless, there’s enough here to be very excited. Take a look at all the photos over at Autoblog, what do you see?

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Comments
Carmaker1
And finally another set of prototypes have been caught! Lexus is being so secretive, to the point they have made sure across many market, dealer owners are not talking about it to staff. I have heard more about a new GX (1 year), but not this on that end.
Joaquin Ruhi
Looks like this LC F prototype and the camoed 2019 Lexus RC F-Sport facelift prototype were out at roughly the same time. Both are being led by the same dark silver Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet filming.
Gecko


Oh boy.
krew
krew

Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in Germany!!
[​IMG]

This is the real deal.
View the original article post
B
defi Is!!!
zeusus
The whiny un-enthusiasts won't know what to say but their mouths will still be a movin.


Lexus has debuted a new LC-based racecar that it will compete with in this year’s ADAC 24H of Nurburgring.

The LC-based racecar has been converted for racing use by Toyota factory mechanics and engineers. The automaker says the racecar will help it refine innovations that will be utilized on its vehicles going forward, such as lightweight materials and aerodynamics, and help it to make advancements on engine durability, fuel economy and suspension setups.​

https://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2018/01/lexus-turned-lc-500-racecar-taking-nurburgring.html
B
@zeusus This car is going to be a beast! Can’t wait on the New TTV8. Lexus will have to very solid motors. The new V35A-FTS and now the new TTV8
Faisal Sheikh
Cool pictures. Very interesting to see how it turns out.
B

LS500 AWD.
LexusSteve
"Let's see if there's anything going on with Lexus today..."

*Loads LexusEnthusiast*

*Sees LC F Headline*

"YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!"
S







James
So if we’re seeing it like this when will it show up at a car show?? Can’t wait!!
F1 Silver Arrows
Agghhh!!! I was going to make a post about this!!!

Anyways, I am quite proud of Lexus, they have been answering our calls for continuously updating their cars. The RC is getting a refresh, there will obviously be this, and there is a range-topping RC F GT that should be crazier than the original RC F. I guess this is the answer to the Black Series of Mercedes or GTS of BMW.
A
I doubt it will come out anytime soon but I'm not complaining.

This is clearly a very early stage in its development. The front fenders are a different shade of black from the rest of the panels, the front fenders are wider but also have very rough cutouts. I think they are only testing the front part of the car as the rear fenders are basically untouched aside from the exhausts.

The back seat area seems flat without the small head reasts on the standard LCs and hopefully they will ditch the rear seats for the LCF.

Also the Supra was behind the LC and I have a feeling they are testing new mechanics in the car.
mikeavelli
Even as a mule it's beautiful lol

Airplane
The back seat area seems flat without the small rear head reasts on the standard LCs and hopefully they will ditch the rear seats for the LCF.

Also the Supra was behind the LC and I have a feeling they are focusing on testing new mechanics in the car rather than cosmetics.
I'm sure the backseats are out because to get to the rear suspension if you want to adjust anything you have to take out the back seat. I've seen it done.

The Supra along it is a great sign since TADA San is building a pure driving car.
A
mikeavelli
Even as a mule it's beautiful lol

Notice the brakes are dimpled and not slotted. Possible Carbon Ceramics :)



I'm sure the backseats are out because to get to the rear suspension: if you want to adjust anything you have to take out the back seat. I've seen it done.

The Supra along it is a great sign since TADA San is building a pure driving car.
I don’t think they were working on anything at the rear because it was pretty much untouched other than the exhaust.

Either way, do you know how much weight does the rear seats reduce? Is it a easy process?
M
Airplane
I doubt it will come out anytime soon but I'm not complaining.

This is clearly a very early stage in its development.
Very early. Two years away I would say.
Ian Schmidt
zeusus
Does anybody else feel suspicious about this "wild caught prototype"? Was it really any accident? Purposefully showing the huge intake, exposed radiators, exposed quad exhaust. Maybe Lexus wanted to confirm what we were all already expecting.
Yeah, this isn't a "caught prototype" in any meaningful sense of that word, this is a statement.
R
I am more interested in the new IS interesting rumour that maintains it will be the size of the current GS which makes the future of the GS more doubtful. However the GS is based on the Toyota Crown which has recently been updated, so all a bit confusing. The market has changed I guess it is no longer that they need to compete with the C class or the three series it's all about the SUV market these days and there Lexus are well represented and still the Limitless to come in to play.
T
This looks awesome but, sadly, I won't be able to afford one. How much do y'all think this will cost? $120k US? Not something that a humble aircraft mechanic can splurge on.
zeusus
Rob Grieveson
I am more interested in the new IS interesting rumour that maintains it will be the size of the current GS which makes the future of the GS more doubtful. However the GS is based on the Toyota Crown which has recently been updated, so all a bit confusing. The market has changed I guess it is no longer that they need to compete with the C class or the three series it's all about the SUV market these days and there Lexus are well represented and still the Limitless to come in to play.
Take a closer look at the numbers posted in the table of that thread and it clearly shows the rumored next IS is still closer to the current IS in overall size and dimension, than it is to the GS. The only thing that is a dramatic departure is the wheelbase. So no, I don't think its a reasonable conclusion to draw that the IS will be the size of the current GS.



https://lexusenthusiast.com/2018/07/23/next-generation-lexus-is-sedan-to-grow-in-size/
C
zeusus
Take a closer look at the numbers posted in the table of that thread and it clearly shows the rumored next IS is still closer to the current IS in overall size and dimension, than it is to the GS. The only thing that is a dramatic departure is the wheelbase. So no, I don't think its a reasonable conclusion to draw that the IS will be the size of the current GS.



https://lexusenthusiast.com/2018/07/23/next-generation-lexus-is-sedan-to-grow-in-size/
If the figures are true, then the next generation IS will have pretty short overhangs. I bet the side profile is going to be pretty sweet.
mikeavelli
Guys lets keep it on the LC F please.....
mikeavelli
Airplane
It looks like they did not focus on the rear as much because the front fenders were obviously added on because they have a different shade of black and the rear fenders are pretty much identical to the standard LC. It’s weird how the front fenders are wider but the rear are not.

Hopefully they will keep it this way and just ditch the rear seats completely since those are useless, especially on the LCF.

Either way, do you know how much weight does the rear seats reduce? Is it a easy process?
Its a test mule so the car is usually in pieces to make it easier to make adjustments. Not sure how much they weight but not much, just about 4 bolts to keep the in, just a PITA to get out b/c its small. To get to the rear suspension you have to take apart the rear seats.

I would hope they keep the rear seats and maybe if a GT3 version ever came they ditch the rear seats. It still will be a heavy car.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • July 25, 2018
TheNerdyPotato
This looks awesome but, sadly, I won't be able to afford one. How much do y'all think this will cost? $120k US? Not something that a humble aircraft mechanic can splurge on.
I have a high regard for aircraft mechanics; my father was one for Pan American back in the day.
C
mikeavelli
Guys lets keep it on the LC F please.....
Sorry:oops::D
Carmaker1
For a long time I thought that the LC-F was first spotted back in February, however I am realizing that was possibly a mule for a convertible. These likely being the first shots of LC-F and if you compare it to when the first test mule spy shots we're seen for the RC-F in July 2012 (released November 2014) and January 2013 for the GS-F (November 2015), it will be a long wait. This is a 2021 MY at earliest, barring any possible delays. However you might see it next October in Tokyo.
F1 Silver Arrows
Carmaker1
For a long time I thought that the LC-F was first spotted back in February, however I am realizing that was possibly a mule for a convertible. These likely being the first shots of LC-F and if you compare it to when the first test mule spy shots were seen for the RC-F in July 2012 (released November 2014) and January 2013 for the GS-F (November 2015), it will be a long wait. This is a 2021 MY at earliest, barring any possible delays. However you might see it next October in Tokyo.
Well we could possibly see it earlier than that.

I have a little hunch but in order to confirm that, let's pose a question, and that is how far along did the RC F look to production spec when you saw the first spy shots? We can compare that to the LC F and how it looks close to production specifications. To me, it looks like most of the front end components, brakes, and suspension could be ready in the LC F, now we're just waiting for the rest of the car to come together.

I do remember a report saying the LC F will be coming earlier than the convertible. Something in like 1-2 years (2019 or 2020 at the latest) and the the convertible being further down the road with maybe (I may possibly be grasping at straws here) a LC F convertible.
Carmaker1
F1 Silver Arrows
Well we could possibly see it earlier than that.

I have a little hunch but in order to confirm that, let's pose a question, and that is how far along did the RC F look to production spec when you saw the first spy shots? We can compare that to the LC F and how it looks close to production specifications. To me, it looks like most of the front end components, brakes, and suspension could be ready in the LC F, now we're just waiting for the rest of the car to come together.

I do remember a report saying the LC F will be coming earlier than the convertible. Something in like 1-2 years (2019 or 2020 at the latest) and the the convertible being further down the road with maybe (I may possibly be grasping at straws here) a LC F convertible.
Haha, good question about the RC-F! It was so NOT far along, that it was the IS-C was being tested in F gear and publications obtusely surmised that an XE20 IS-CF was being developed, not even recalling that an XE30 sedan redesign was already in testing for MY 2014.

The July 2012 testing of RC-F mule at Nurburgring, coincided with internal design freeze of both the RC and NX programs, ahead of launch in November 2014. By the end of 2011, Lexus was pretty much done styling the RC, so final RCF styling was done a few moths after that, in spring 2012.

I think a better comparison is the GS-F, from 2013 to 2015. The RC was a new model, launched parallel to the non-F cars. The RC went into planning in 2010.
F1 Silver Arrows
Carmaker1
Haha, good question about the RC-F! It was so NOT far along, that it was the IS-C was being tested in F gear and publications obtusely surmised that an XE20 IS-CF was being developed, not even recalling that an XE30 sedan redesign was already in testing for MY 2014. They didn't figure it out as a new model, like most of us quickly did.

The July 2012 testing of RC-F mule at Nurburgring, coincided with internal design freeze of both the RC and NX programs, ahead of launch in November 2014. By the end of 2011, Lexus was pretty much done styling the RC, so final RCF styling was done a few moths after that, in spring 2012. It usually takes half a year to go from final styling to running physical prototype built to spec or more in some cases.

I think a better comparison is the GS-F, from 2013 to 2015. The RC was a new model, launched parallel to the non-F cars. The RC went into planning in 2010.
Then looking at how similar they are in terms of developing cars for their RWD based models (F cars in specific) then I think it is safe to say we're going to have a debut of the LC F sometime in late 2019 (as they mentioned a while ago that the LC F is being seriously considered [or in my own words, already being developed] then the staggered development of the car as we see in spy shots and internal knowledge) as a MY2020 car with the convertible possibly coming as a MY2022? Now, will they be making a convertible LC F too? A greater question than this is, will they be making a convertible for the RC in the future, also possibly making the F model to that too? If that ever happens, I highly doubt that would be in the first generation.

F