Lexus Chief Engineer Koji Sato: “The LC project is not finished yet”

Posted by Kevin on October 3rd, 2018

Lexus LC chief engineer Koji Sato sat down for an interview with Top Gear to discuss the future of the flagship coupe:

Top Gear: What do you think is so special about the LC?

Koji Sato: It shows that Lexus, working with Akio [Toyoda, son of the Toyota founder and Toyota CEO] has mastered the handling performance. Particularly the steering – you can feel the front tyres and get that feedback, have a conversation. This kind of feeling is our focusing point for Lexus, to create our clear driving taste.

TG: Is there anything about the LC that you would like to go back and change?

KS: There is no need to go back. The LC project is not finished yet. Every year we implement some important improvement points for LC. So we are always moving forward. It’s never ending.

Of course, the conversation turned to a high-performance variant of the LC:

TG: What’s next for the LC? We’ve seen spy photos of an LC-F being tested.

KS: I cannot share the details of that project but LC has a big meaning for the Lexus brand. So that means the LC needs to have some more – you see my face [breaks into a big smile].

Lexus LC: First Generation
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Comments
PeterF
Thanks for the posts. I also would certainly expect more than 600 HP. a TTV8 sounds like a good option, not as pricey as a V10. Perhaps offer 2 engine options (V8 and V10), but there may not be a large enough market to allow for 2 engine options. To say that this car looks exciting is an understatement, but i agree that orange calipers would really top it off! Clearly Lexus has a number of goodies up their sleeves.
PeterF
Thanks for the posts. I also would certainly expect more than 600 HP. a TTV8 sounds like a good option, not as pricey as a V10. Perhaps offer 2 engine options (V8 and V10), but there may not be a large enough market to allow for 2 engine options. To say that this car looks exciting is an understatement, but i agree that orange calipers would really top it off! Clearly Lexus has a number of goodies up their sleeves.
krew
krew [​IMG]

The high-performance coupe is using the GT-R NISMO as a benchmark.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

The high-performance coupe is using the GT-R NISMO as a benchmark.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

The high-performance coupe is using the GT-R NISMO as a benchmark.
View the original article post
maiaramdan
Logic somehow
But I think 620hp will be the correct answer plus or minus 5
maiaramdan
Logic somehow
But I think 620hp will be the correct answer plus or minus 5
maiaramdan
Logic somehow
But I think 620hp will be the correct answer plus or minus 5
LexusTechSA
I can't wait to see what they do with it. If there are rumors of a new GS F then there should also be a new GS to go with it.
LexusTechSA
I can't wait to see what they do with it. If there are rumors of a new GS F then there should also be a new GS to go with it.
LexusTechSA
I can't wait to see what they do with it. If there are rumors of a new GS F then there should also be a new GS to go with it.
PeterF
wow, looks great. I would assume that they have further developed the suspension and steering. I must say that it is more expensive than I anticipated, $178k is now out of my reach.
PeterF
wow, looks great. I would assume that they have further developed the suspension and steering. I must say that it is more expensive than I anticipated, $178k is now out of my reach.
PeterF
wow, looks great. I would assume that they have further developed the suspension and steering. I must say that it is more expensive than I anticipated, $178k is now out of my reach.
Alexander Li
The LC is certainly heavy, so I'm pretty curious to see what they come up with to shave off some of that weight. If we're going to have to wait for another 2 years, make it lighter with tons of aluminum and CFRP in the chassis and perhaps most of the car itself.
The GT-R Nismo starts at about $175,000 dollars, so I'd expect the LC F to cost about the same. Fortunately, with this new turbocharged-eight, a detuned version could liked fall in the hands of the next generation GS F, and bring it up to standard. I'll assume that they'll use even stickier tires as well.
If the GS F gets the F engine, then the old 2UR-GSE one will likely replace the GS 350 model and move that one down, to compare to the BMW 550i and the V6 to the 530i. All speculation.
The weight problem is the biggest issue. If Lexus can still maintain a front mid-engined rear-wheel drive layout with the large 4.0 liter sitting behind the wheels, the vehicle should plow a lot less. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires or Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires are likely going to be used as well, but specially developed to be run-flats. Lexus has been adamant against offering carbon ceramic brakes, so enormous 8-piston brakes might be an option.
If Lexus is benchmarking the GTR Nismo, a car with 0-60 times of 2.8 seconds, then the LC F will be about as fast; blowing the tires off of its German rivals like the AMG GT S, the BMW M6, both the S63 and S65, as well as the RS7. At this point the LC F is running with the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Lexus has been very capable of building chassis in the past (like the GS), and we'll see if the LC F can beat the LFA (with the Nurburgring package) around Green Hell.
Alexander Li
The LC is certainly heavy, so I'm pretty curious to see what they come up with to shave off some of that weight. If we're going to have to wait for another 2 years, make it lighter with tons of aluminum and CFRP in the chassis and perhaps most of the car itself.
The GT-R Nismo starts at about $175,000 dollars, so I'd expect the LC F to cost about the same. Fortunately, with this new turbocharged-eight, a detuned version could liked fall in the hands of the next generation GS F, and bring it up to standard. I'll assume that they'll use even stickier tires as well.
If the GS F gets the F engine, then the old 2UR-GSE one will likely replace the GS 350 model and move that one down, to compare to the BMW 550i and the V6 to the 530i. All speculation.
The weight problem is the biggest issue. If Lexus can still maintain a front mid-engined rear-wheel drive layout with the large 4.0 liter sitting behind the wheels, the vehicle should plow a lot less. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires or Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires are likely going to be used as well, but specially developed to be run-flats. Lexus has been adamant against offering carbon ceramic brakes, so enormous 8-piston brakes might be an option.
If Lexus is benchmarking the GTR Nismo, a car with 0-60 times of 2.8 seconds, then the LC F will be about as fast; blowing the tires off of its German rivals like the AMG GT S, the BMW M6, both the S63 and S65, as well as the RS7. At this point the LC F is running with the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Lexus has been very capable of building chassis in the past (like the GS), and we'll see if the LC F can beat the LFA (with the Nurburgring package) around Green Hell.
Alexander Li
The LC is certainly heavy, so I'm pretty curious to see what they come up with to shave off some of that weight. If we're going to have to wait for another 2 years, make it lighter with tons of aluminum and CFRP in the chassis and perhaps most of the car itself.
The GT-R Nismo starts at about $175,000 dollars, so I'd expect the LC F to cost about the same. Fortunately, with this new turbocharged-eight, a detuned version could liked fall in the hands of the next generation GS F, and bring it up to standard. I'll assume that they'll use even stickier tires as well.
If the GS F gets the F engine, then the old 2UR-GSE one will likely replace the GS 350 model and move that one down, to compare to the BMW 550i and the V6 to the 530i. All speculation.
The weight problem is the biggest issue. If Lexus can still maintain a front mid-engined rear-wheel drive layout with the large 4.0 liter sitting behind the wheels, the vehicle should plow a lot less. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires or Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires are likely going to be used as well, but specially developed to be run-flats. Lexus has been adamant against offering carbon ceramic brakes, so enormous 8-piston brakes might be an option.
If Lexus is benchmarking the GTR Nismo, a car with 0-60 times of 2.8 seconds, then the LC F will be about as fast; blowing the tires off of its German rivals like the AMG GT S, the BMW M6, both the S63 and S65, as well as the RS7. At this point the LC F is running with the Porsche 911 Turbo.
Lexus has been very capable of building chassis in the past (like the GS), and we'll see if the LC F can beat the LFA (with the Nurburgring package) around Green Hell.
mikeavelli
I can only imagine the fun being had making this car....super excited for it. Hopefully tons of carbon fiber bits inside...
mikeavelli
I can only imagine the fun being had making this car....super excited for it. Hopefully tons of carbon fiber bits inside...
mikeavelli
I can only imagine the fun being had making this car....super excited for it. Hopefully tons of carbon fiber bits inside...
PeterF
mikeavelli
I can only imagine the fun being had making this car....super excited for it. Hopefully tons of carbon fiber bits inside...
I bet it will be terrifically fun driving it as well. It will have to have tons of carbon fiber in order to reduce the weight (as Alexander Li says).
PeterF
mikeavelli
I can only imagine the fun being had making this car....super excited for it. Hopefully tons of carbon fiber bits inside...
I bet it will be terrifically fun driving it as well. It will have to have tons of carbon fiber in order to reduce the weight (as Alexander Li says).
PeterF
mikeavelli
I can only imagine the fun being had making this car....super excited for it. Hopefully tons of carbon fiber bits inside...
I bet it will be terrifically fun driving it as well. It will have to have tons of carbon fiber in order to reduce the weight (as Alexander Li says).
GSCT
The LFA is dead, long live the LC F! It will be interesting to see how their performance compares.
GSCT
The LFA is dead, long live the LC F! It will be interesting to see how their performance compares.
GSCT
The LFA is dead, long live the LC F! It will be interesting to see how their performance compares.
james_m300
i always look forward to lexus arrivals, but all of them worry me especially the "F" models because they are either too heavy, don't have enough power, or both. i really hope the LCF pulls through and for it to look a lot like that yellow rendering above!
james_m300
i always look forward to lexus arrivals, but all of them worry me especially the "F" models because they are either too heavy, don't have enough power, or both. i really hope the LCF pulls through and for it to look a lot like that yellow rendering above!
james_m300
i always look forward to lexus arrivals, but all of them worry me especially the "F" models because they are either too heavy, don't have enough power, or both. i really hope the LCF pulls through and for it to look a lot like that yellow rendering above!
M
maiaramdan
Logic somehow
But I think 620hp will be the correct answer plus or minus 5
I notice you always have high expectations that are not met by Lexus' conservative ways, leading to disappointment and criticism. I suggest you temper your expectations a bit. :P

M