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
Ian Schmidt
I don't think drag times are all that influential. After all, the Mustang was widely considered a joke for decades vs. European competitors because "it only goes fast in a straight line".
Ian Schmidt
I don't think drag times are all that influential. After all, the Mustang was widely considered a joke for decades vs. European competitors because "it only goes fast in a straight line".
L
Ian Schmidt
I don't think drag times are all that influential. After all, the Mustang was widely considered a joke for decades vs. European competitors because "it only goes fast in a straight line".
And still the LFA is considered a failure by most Germancarfans.
L
Ian Schmidt
I don't think drag times are all that influential. After all, the Mustang was widely considered a joke for decades vs. European competitors because "it only goes fast in a straight line".
And still the LFA is considered a failure by most Germancarfans.
L
Ian Schmidt
I don't think drag times are all that influential. After all, the Mustang was widely considered a joke for decades vs. European competitors because "it only goes fast in a straight line".
And still the LFA is considered a failure by most Germancarfans.
S
Levi
And still the LFA is considered a failure by most Germancarfans.
And the opinions of random carfans don't matter at all.
S
Levi
And still the LFA is considered a failure by most Germancarfans.
And the opinions of random carfans don't matter at all.
S
Levi
And still the LFA is considered a failure by most Germancarfans.
And the opinions of random carfans don't matter at all.
L
ssun30
And the opinions of random carfans don't matter at all.
For sales, unfortunately the opinion of the masses is more important than the assessment of those who know.
L
ssun30
And the opinions of random carfans don't matter at all.
For sales, unfortunately the opinion of the masses is more important than the assessment of those who know.
L
ssun30
And the opinions of random carfans don't matter at all.
For sales, unfortunately the opinion of the masses is more important than the assessment of those who know.
mikeavelli
Levi
For sales, unfortunately the opinion of the masses is more important than the assessment of those who know.
The LFA sold out :)
mikeavelli
Levi
For sales, unfortunately the opinion of the masses is more important than the assessment of those who know.
The LFA sold out :)
mikeavelli
Levi
For sales, unfortunately the opinion of the masses is more important than the assessment of those who know.
The LFA sold out :)
S
Lexus LC Convertible Reportedly 2 Years Away, LC F Still LIkely

This pair of models would give Lexus challengers against BMW and Mercedes' grand tourers.
Lexus is close to having a convertible in its lineup again because the Japanese premium brand intends to slice the roof off the LC. The prospects look quite good for a more powerful variant of the coupe, too.

An unnamed insider tells Auto Express the LC convertible is a "done deal" and already has a green light for production. However, the model is still around two years from actually arriving at dealers.

Company execs aren't ready to confirm the drop top officially, though. "I hope that we will have a convertible in the near future. We know the luxury market requires a convertible," Yoshihiro Sawa, Senior Managing Officer of Lexus, told Auto Express.

The LC convertible's most direct competition would likely be BMW's recently spied 8 Series drop top. However, its more adventurous styling might lure a few customers away from the S550 Cabriolet, too.

Contrary to previous reports, Auto Express' insider claims that the rumored LC F doesn't yet have production approval, but execs are seriously considering building one. Prior rumors out of Japan indicate that the LC F would use a new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 with 621 horsepower (463 kilowatts) and make extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer to lower the coupe's weight. Despite the high performance upgrades, the interior would allegedly remain quite luxurious.

Judging by these reports, the LC F would be a closer competitor to AMG-tuned variants of the Mercedes S-Class, rather than a hardcore followup to the LFA supercar.

Lexus filed for a trademark on the LC F moniker in February 2017, indicating the company has been mulling over this idea for quite a while. Rumors even hinted that the model might have debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, but it didn't show up there.
https://www.motor1.com/news/227557/lexus-lc-convertible-confirmation-rumor/
S
Lexus LC Convertible Reportedly 2 Years Away, LC F Still LIkely

This pair of models would give Lexus challengers against BMW and Mercedes' grand tourers.
Lexus is close to having a convertible in its lineup again because the Japanese premium brand intends to slice the roof off the LC. The prospects look quite good for a more powerful variant of the coupe, too.

An unnamed insider tells Auto Express the LC convertible is a "done deal" and already has a green light for production. However, the model is still around two years from actually arriving at dealers.

Company execs aren't ready to confirm the drop top officially, though. "I hope that we will have a convertible in the near future. We know the luxury market requires a convertible," Yoshihiro Sawa, Senior Managing Officer of Lexus, told Auto Express.

The LC convertible's most direct competition would likely be BMW's recently spied 8 Series drop top. However, its more adventurous styling might lure a few customers away from the S550 Cabriolet, too.

Contrary to previous reports, Auto Express' insider claims that the rumored LC F doesn't yet have production approval, but execs are seriously considering building one. Prior rumors out of Japan indicate that the LC F would use a new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 with 621 horsepower (463 kilowatts) and make extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer to lower the coupe's weight. Despite the high performance upgrades, the interior would allegedly remain quite luxurious.

Judging by these reports, the LC F would be a closer competitor to AMG-tuned variants of the Mercedes S-Class, rather than a hardcore followup to the LFA supercar.

Lexus filed for a trademark on the LC F moniker in February 2017, indicating the company has been mulling over this idea for quite a while. Rumors even hinted that the model might have debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, but it didn't show up there.
https://www.motor1.com/news/227557/lexus-lc-convertible-confirmation-rumor/
S
Lexus LC Convertible Reportedly 2 Years Away, LC F Still LIkely

This pair of models would give Lexus challengers against BMW and Mercedes' grand tourers.
Lexus is close to having a convertible in its lineup again because the Japanese premium brand intends to slice the roof off the LC. The prospects look quite good for a more powerful variant of the coupe, too.

An unnamed insider tells Auto Express the LC convertible is a "done deal" and already has a green light for production. However, the model is still around two years from actually arriving at dealers.

Company execs aren't ready to confirm the drop top officially, though. "I hope that we will have a convertible in the near future. We know the luxury market requires a convertible," Yoshihiro Sawa, Senior Managing Officer of Lexus, told Auto Express.

The LC convertible's most direct competition would likely be BMW's recently spied 8 Series drop top. However, its more adventurous styling might lure a few customers away from the S550 Cabriolet, too.

Contrary to previous reports, Auto Express' insider claims that the rumored LC F doesn't yet have production approval, but execs are seriously considering building one. Prior rumors out of Japan indicate that the LC F would use a new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 with 621 horsepower (463 kilowatts) and make extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer to lower the coupe's weight. Despite the high performance upgrades, the interior would allegedly remain quite luxurious.

Judging by these reports, the LC F would be a closer competitor to AMG-tuned variants of the Mercedes S-Class, rather than a hardcore followup to the LFA supercar.

Lexus filed for a trademark on the LC F moniker in February 2017, indicating the company has been mulling over this idea for quite a while. Rumors even hinted that the model might have debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, but it didn't show up there.
https://www.motor1.com/news/227557/lexus-lc-convertible-confirmation-rumor/
L
Is the LC-F Turbo V8 decided? Or could it also be a 700PS with hybrid or plug-in hybrid like Porsche and AMG GT4? And AWD or RWD? And if AWD, also with AWS? Could there also be LF-1 Limitless as F model later?
L
Is the LC-F Turbo V8 decided? Or could it also be a 700PS with hybrid or plug-in hybrid like Porsche and AMG GT4? And AWD or RWD? And if AWD, also with AWS? Could there also be LF-1 Limitless as F model later?
L
Is the LC-F Turbo V8 decided? Or could it also be a 700PS with hybrid or plug-in hybrid like Porsche and AMG GT4? And AWD or RWD? And if AWD, also with AWS? Could there also be LF-1 Limitless as F model later?
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]

Mystery mule cruising Studio City.
View the original article post
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]

Mystery mule cruising Studio City.
View the original article post
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]

Mystery mule cruising Studio City.
View the original article post
Gecko
Gecko
Gecko
ACEtheOG
Gecko
lol
ACEtheOG
Gecko
lol
ACEtheOG
Gecko
lol
PeterF
humm, not sure if this is the LC F. I thought it would have more venting on the hood and a spoiler.... but it could be an early stage version with the new engine. My experience on the track with the LC says that they need better cooling / venting for the LC to become a serious trackable car.. It certainly looks mean

P