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
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
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
Joaquin Ruhi
PeterF
humm, not sure if this is the LC F. I thought it would have more venting on the hood and a spoiler...
Besides that, previous full-on Lexus F models (IS F, RC F and GS F) have been distinguished by 2 major traits: large vertical/diagonal front fender vents just forward of the front doors and quad diagonal exhaust tips out back. Since the 2 photos in question unfortunately fail to show the rear end, it's anybody's guess what the exhaust tips look like. The lack of front fender vents implies an F Sport, as opposed to full-on F. On the other hand, given the "regular" LC's large side vents aft of the doors, perhaps the LC F will be an exception to the "F front fender vent rule".

Even though my first impression was "LC F prototype", upon looking at these pictures more closely, I share PeterF's skepticism that this is the LC F. More likely a potential LC F Sport variant.
Joaquin Ruhi
PeterF
humm, not sure if this is the LC F. I thought it would have more venting on the hood and a spoiler...
Besides that, previous full-on Lexus F models (IS F, RC F and GS F) have been distinguished by 2 major traits: large vertical/diagonal front fender vents just forward of the front doors and quad diagonal exhaust tips out back. Since the 2 photos in question unfortunately fail to show the rear end, it's anybody's guess what the exhaust tips look like. The lack of front fender vents implies an F Sport, as opposed to full-on F. On the other hand, given the "regular" LC's large side vents aft of the doors, perhaps the LC F will be an exception to the "F front fender vent rule".

Even though my first impression was "LC F prototype", upon looking at these pictures more closely, I share PeterF's skepticism that this is the LC F. More likely a potential LC F Sport variant.
Joaquin Ruhi
PeterF
humm, not sure if this is the LC F. I thought it would have more venting on the hood and a spoiler...
Besides that, previous full-on Lexus F models (IS F, RC F and GS F) have been distinguished by 2 major traits: large vertical/diagonal front fender vents just forward of the front doors and quad diagonal exhaust tips out back. Since the 2 photos in question unfortunately fail to show the rear end, it's anybody's guess what the exhaust tips look like. The lack of front fender vents implies an F Sport, as opposed to full-on F. On the other hand, given the "regular" LC's large side vents aft of the doors, perhaps the LC F will be an exception to the "F front fender vent rule".

Even though my first impression was "LC F prototype", upon looking at these pictures more closely, I share PeterF's skepticism that this is the LC F. More likely a potential LC F Sport variant.
Ian Schmidt
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
My feeling is that there's enough surface area of vents on the current LC for it to be made trackable (I mean, even those of us that like the spindle agree it's a big honking thing), they just aren't taking advantage of them properly.
Ian Schmidt
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
My feeling is that there's enough surface area of vents on the current LC for it to be made trackable (I mean, even those of us that like the spindle agree it's a big honking thing), they just aren't taking advantage of them properly.
Ian Schmidt
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
My feeling is that there's enough surface area of vents on the current LC for it to be made trackable (I mean, even those of us that like the spindle agree it's a big honking thing), they just aren't taking advantage of them properly.
PeterF
Ian Schmidt
My feeling is that there's enough surface area of vents on the current LC for it to be made trackable (I mean, even those of us that like the spindle agree it's a big honking thing), they just aren't taking advantage of them properly.
perhaps, but it appears critical that more air is vented over the engine and transmission. It's possible to use those front vents and grill more efficiently to do the venting, so maybe you're right there. While I'm not entirely sure of the engineering, but I was reading a bit on the transmission engineering in the RC F and GS F and it suggested to me that those transmissions are engineered differently to allow for more fluid flow and transmission cooling as well. The LC's transmission may not have been engineered in the same way. The GM at my dealership spent some time recently with Sato and he told me that the car was being engineered to make it entirely track ready. It will be very interesting to see what they come up with.
PeterF
Ian Schmidt
My feeling is that there's enough surface area of vents on the current LC for it to be made trackable (I mean, even those of us that like the spindle agree it's a big honking thing), they just aren't taking advantage of them properly.
perhaps, but it appears critical that more air is vented over the engine and transmission. It's possible to use those front vents and grill more efficiently to do the venting, so maybe you're right there. While I'm not entirely sure of the engineering, but I was reading a bit on the transmission engineering in the RC F and GS F and it suggested to me that those transmissions are engineered differently to allow for more fluid flow and transmission cooling as well. The LC's transmission may not have been engineered in the same way. The GM at my dealership spent some time recently with Sato and he told me that the car was being engineered to make it entirely track ready. It will be very interesting to see what they come up with.
PeterF
Ian Schmidt
My feeling is that there's enough surface area of vents on the current LC for it to be made trackable (I mean, even those of us that like the spindle agree it's a big honking thing), they just aren't taking advantage of them properly.
perhaps, but it appears critical that more air is vented over the engine and transmission. It's possible to use those front vents and grill more efficiently to do the venting, so maybe you're right there. While I'm not entirely sure of the engineering, but I was reading a bit on the transmission engineering in the RC F and GS F and it suggested to me that those transmissions are engineered differently to allow for more fluid flow and transmission cooling as well. The LC's transmission may not have been engineered in the same way. The GM at my dealership spent some time recently with Sato and he told me that the car was being engineered to make it entirely track ready. It will be very interesting to see what they come up with.
L
What gearbox does the LC 500 have? If the LC-F will not be AWD, but RWD only, I think it is important for it to have a transaxle, either in front or behind the rear axle does not matter much. Aston Martin and AMG GT do have it. Worse is if the new BMW M8 will get transaxle, because BMW has never done it before, and it will make the M8 a very good car.
L
What gearbox does the LC 500 have? If the LC-F will not be AWD, but RWD only, I think it is important for it to have a transaxle, either in front or behind the rear axle does not matter much. Aston Martin and AMG GT do have it. Worse is if the new BMW M8 will get transaxle, because BMW has never done it before, and it will make the M8 a very good car.
L
What gearbox does the LC 500 have? If the LC-F will not be AWD, but RWD only, I think it is important for it to have a transaxle, either in front or behind the rear axle does not matter much. Aston Martin and AMG GT do have it. Worse is if the new BMW M8 will get transaxle, because BMW has never done it before, and it will make the M8 a very good car.
PeterF
Levi
What gearbox does the LC 500 have? If the LC-F will not be AWD, but RWD only, I think it is important for it to have a transaxle, either in front or behind the rear axle does not matter much. Aston Martin and AMG GT do have it. Worse is if the new BMW M8 will get transaxle, because BMW has never done it before, and it will make the M8 a very good car.
The LC 500 has the new 10 speed RWD gearbox (from supplier Aisin) that it shares with the LS 500. IDK if the transmission includes a transaxel (I'm not an expert here)
PeterF
Levi
What gearbox does the LC 500 have? If the LC-F will not be AWD, but RWD only, I think it is important for it to have a transaxle, either in front or behind the rear axle does not matter much. Aston Martin and AMG GT do have it. Worse is if the new BMW M8 will get transaxle, because BMW has never done it before, and it will make the M8 a very good car.
The LC 500 has the new 10 speed RWD gearbox (from supplier Aisin) that it shares with the LS 500. IDK if the transmission includes a transaxel (I'm not an expert here)
PeterF
Levi
What gearbox does the LC 500 have? If the LC-F will not be AWD, but RWD only, I think it is important for it to have a transaxle, either in front or behind the rear axle does not matter much. Aston Martin and AMG GT do have it. Worse is if the new BMW M8 will get transaxle, because BMW has never done it before, and it will make the M8 a very good car.
The LC 500 has the new 10 speed RWD gearbox (from supplier Aisin) that it shares with the LS 500. IDK if the transmission includes a transaxel (I'm not an expert here)
L
PeterF
The LC 500 has the new 10 speed RWD gearbox (from supplier Aisin) that it shares with the LS 500. IDK if the transmission includes a transaxel (I'm not an expert here)
If it is Aisin, then no transaxle. The only one made was for the LFA, and I think they made a dual clutch version and manual version for prototype/testing. The other car that had a 6 speed manual transaxle was the Toyota 4500GT concept. IF, the new Supra gets a transaxle, it will certainly be BMW's one supplied by ZF. Getrag's one that AMG uses? Less likely even though Getrag also supplied M cars. Will have to wait till Supra reveal. If Supra has no, LC-F won't either. And with 600 PS, AWD would be better. But let us not forget the GT-R AWD transaxle, we'll find out if the AMG GT4 will have something of the kind.
L
PeterF
The LC 500 has the new 10 speed RWD gearbox (from supplier Aisin) that it shares with the LS 500. IDK if the transmission includes a transaxel (I'm not an expert here)
If it is Aisin, then no transaxle. The only one made was for the LFA, and I think they made a dual clutch version and manual version for prototype/testing. The other car that had a 6 speed manual transaxle was the Toyota 4500GT concept. IF, the new Supra gets a transaxle, it will certainly be BMW's one supplied by ZF. Getrag's one that AMG uses? Less likely even though Getrag also supplied M cars. Will have to wait till Supra reveal. If Supra has no, LC-F won't either. And with 600 PS, AWD would be better. But let us not forget the GT-R AWD transaxle, we'll find out if the AMG GT4 will have something of the kind.
L
PeterF
The LC 500 has the new 10 speed RWD gearbox (from supplier Aisin) that it shares with the LS 500. IDK if the transmission includes a transaxel (I'm not an expert here)
If it is Aisin, then no transaxle. The only one made was for the LFA, and I think they made a dual clutch version and manual version for prototype/testing. The other car that had a 6 speed manual transaxle was the Toyota 4500GT concept. IF, the new Supra gets a transaxle, it will certainly be BMW's one supplied by ZF. Getrag's one that AMG uses? Less likely even though Getrag also supplied M cars. Will have to wait till Supra reveal. If Supra has no, LC-F won't either. And with 600 PS, AWD would be better. But let us not forget the GT-R AWD transaxle, we'll find out if the AMG GT4 will have something of the kind.
krew
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.
Joaquin Ruhi
Even though my first impression was "LC F prototype", upon looking at these pictures more closely, I share PeterF's skepticism that this is the LC F. More likely a potential LC F Sport variant.
I will admit to adding some sensationalism to these photos, as this prototype could easily be an LC F SPORT or even bringing the safety tech from the LS to the LC. The source for the photos told me:

The guy pulled in/out of parking space several times...I was wondering if he was trying out some kind of auto park function.
krew
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.
Joaquin Ruhi
Even though my first impression was "LC F prototype", upon looking at these pictures more closely, I share PeterF's skepticism that this is the LC F. More likely a potential LC F Sport variant.
I will admit to adding some sensationalism to these photos, as this prototype could easily be an LC F SPORT or even bringing the safety tech from the LS to the LC. The source for the photos told me:

The guy pulled in/out of parking space several times...I was wondering if he was trying out some kind of auto park function.
krew
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.
Joaquin Ruhi
Even though my first impression was "LC F prototype", upon looking at these pictures more closely, I share PeterF's skepticism that this is the LC F. More likely a potential LC F Sport variant.
I will admit to adding some sensationalism to these photos, as this prototype could easily be an LC F SPORT or even bringing the safety tech from the LS to the LC. The source for the photos told me:

The guy pulled in/out of parking space several times...I was wondering if he was trying out some kind of auto park function.
PeterF
krew
I will admit to adding some sensationalism to these photos, as this prototype could easily be an LC F SPORT or even bringing the safety tech from the LS to the LC. The source for the photos told me:
I like the excitement of the anticipation of the new LC F. any tid bits contribute to that excitement Keep em coming!:thumbsup::)
PeterF
krew
I will admit to adding some sensationalism to these photos, as this prototype could easily be an LC F SPORT or even bringing the safety tech from the LS to the LC. The source for the photos told me:
I like the excitement of the anticipation of the new LC F. any tid bits contribute to that excitement Keep em coming!:thumbsup::)
PeterF
krew
I will admit to adding some sensationalism to these photos, as this prototype could easily be an LC F SPORT or even bringing the safety tech from the LS to the LC. The source for the photos told me:
I like the excitement of the anticipation of the new LC F. any tid bits contribute to that excitement Keep em coming!:thumbsup::)
maiaramdan
My hope to Torque more than my hopping to HP
maiaramdan
My hope to Torque more than my hopping to HP
maiaramdan
My hope to Torque more than my hopping to HP
RichieRich
It Looks Like an LC F, 5.0L V8, twin turbos w/600hp to me. 4.0L twin turbo V8 w/600hp wouldn't surprise either.
My2cents

R