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
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
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
maiaramdan
I agree but Lexus/Toyota always upsets in torque/rpm
maiaramdan
I agree but Lexus/Toyota always upsets in torque/rpm
maiaramdan
I agree but Lexus/Toyota always upsets in torque/rpm
S
maiaramdan
I agree but Lexus/Toyota always upsets in torque/rpm
Then you should stop worrying because that torque you are talking about is not what makes a car go fast. Torque is used in the automotive industry by different types of engineers for all kinds of reasons, but it's never for 0-60 times.

Make we should make a forum rule that hp/torque debate should not be allowed.
S
maiaramdan
I agree but Lexus/Toyota always upsets in torque/rpm
Then you should stop worrying because that torque you are talking about is not what makes a car go fast. Torque is used in the automotive industry by different types of engineers for all kinds of reasons, but it's never for 0-60 times.

Make we should make a forum rule that hp/torque debate should not be allowed.
S
maiaramdan
I agree but Lexus/Toyota always upsets in torque/rpm
Then you should stop worrying because that torque you are talking about is not what makes a car go fast. Torque is used in the automotive industry by different types of engineers for all kinds of reasons, but it's never for 0-60 times.

Make we should make a forum rule that hp/torque debate should not be allowed.
C
I don't see large enough front vents in the bumper to warrant this to be an LC F. Perhaps an F Sport, though the grille in the mule is the same as the current LC and I also find it difficult to slot an F Sport package on an already sport-oriented engineered and styled luxury GT.
C
I don't see large enough front vents in the bumper to warrant this to be an LC F. Perhaps an F Sport, though the grille in the mule is the same as the current LC and I also find it difficult to slot an F Sport package on an already sport-oriented engineered and styled luxury GT.
C
I don't see large enough front vents in the bumper to warrant this to be an LC F. Perhaps an F Sport, though the grille in the mule is the same as the current LC and I also find it difficult to slot an F Sport package on an already sport-oriented engineered and styled luxury GT.
mikeavelli
Yeah all reports are right... internally a lot of buzz but nothing official.... at this rate NAIAS 2019 is my bet....

corradoMR2
I don't see large enough front vents in the bumper to warrant this to be an LC F. Perhaps an F Sport, though the grille in the mule is the same as the current LC and I also find it difficult to slot an F Sport package on an already sport-oriented engineered and styled luxury GT.
They consider the performance package th e"F-Sport" technically.... i Know confusing not to have an official F-Sport but the LS does.
mikeavelli
Yeah all reports are right... internally a lot of buzz but nothing official.... at this rate NAIAS 2019 is my bet....

corradoMR2
I don't see large enough front vents in the bumper to warrant this to be an LC F. Perhaps an F Sport, though the grille in the mule is the same as the current LC and I also find it difficult to slot an F Sport package on an already sport-oriented engineered and styled luxury GT.
They consider the performance package th e"F-Sport" technically.... i Know confusing not to have an official F-Sport but the LS does.
mikeavelli
Yeah all reports are right... internally a lot of buzz but nothing official.... at this rate NAIAS 2019 is my bet....

corradoMR2
I don't see large enough front vents in the bumper to warrant this to be an LC F. Perhaps an F Sport, though the grille in the mule is the same as the current LC and I also find it difficult to slot an F Sport package on an already sport-oriented engineered and styled luxury GT.
They consider the performance package th e"F-Sport" technically.... i Know confusing not to have an official F-Sport but the LS does.
bogglo
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]


View the original article post
why is the staring on that side especilly in Cali
bogglo
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]


View the original article post
why is the staring on that side especilly in Cali
bogglo
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]


View the original article post
why is the staring on that side especilly in Cali
PeterF
bogglo
why is the staring on that side especilly in Cali
I noticed this too, steering is on the right; looks like a Japanese model. The more I look at this, the more I see that this is just a regular LC. nothing indicates F version.

I understand from my Lexus contact that the LC F won't be out until 2020, but it will probably show up at a show in 2019.
PeterF
bogglo
why is the staring on that side especilly in Cali
I noticed this too, steering is on the right; looks like a Japanese model. The more I look at this, the more I see that this is just a regular LC. nothing indicates F version.

I understand from my Lexus contact that the LC F won't be out until 2020, but it will probably show up at a show in 2019.
PeterF
bogglo
why is the staring on that side especilly in Cali
I noticed this too, steering is on the right; looks like a Japanese model. The more I look at this, the more I see that this is just a regular LC. nothing indicates F version.

I understand from my Lexus contact that the LC F won't be out until 2020, but it will probably show up at a show in 2019.
S
PeterF
I understand from my Lexus contact that the LC F won't be out until 2020, but it will probably show up at a show in 2019.
Hmm...they are taking their sweet time aren't they? Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.

It's really fishy that there has not been any solid confirmation on a V8 in the works. All information surrounding it has been speculations. The more I think about it, the more it begins to make sense that TMC no longer wants a V8.
S
PeterF
I understand from my Lexus contact that the LC F won't be out until 2020, but it will probably show up at a show in 2019.
Hmm...they are taking their sweet time aren't they? Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.

It's really fishy that there has not been any solid confirmation on a V8 in the works. All information surrounding it has been speculations. The more I think about it, the more it begins to make sense that TMC no longer wants a V8.
S
PeterF
I understand from my Lexus contact that the LC F won't be out until 2020, but it will probably show up at a show in 2019.
Hmm...they are taking their sweet time aren't they? Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.

It's really fishy that there has not been any solid confirmation on a V8 in the works. All information surrounding it has been speculations. The more I think about it, the more it begins to make sense that TMC no longer wants a V8.
RichieRich
ssun30
Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.
That's my thinking. But definitely a V8, between 4.0 - 5.0 L TT . Lexus will get close too/at/ or above the target 600HP with motors in that range.
RichieRich
ssun30
Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.
That's my thinking. But definitely a V8, between 4.0 - 5.0 L TT . Lexus will get close too/at/ or above the target 600HP with motors in that range.
RichieRich
ssun30
Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.
That's my thinking. But definitely a V8, between 4.0 - 5.0 L TT . Lexus will get close too/at/ or above the target 600HP with motors in that range.
PeterF
ssun30
Hmm...they are taking their sweet time aren't they? Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.

It's really fishy that there has not been any solid confirmation on a V8 in the works. All information surrounding it has been speculations. The more I think about it, the more it begins to make sense that TMC no longer wants a V8.
I should say first that I'm no expert on the time it takes to transform a car into a F version, especially something so new like the LC. The LC was available for orders in early January 2017 with deliveries starting in early May. If the LC F is in production for deliveries in early 2020 that would be a 2.5 year gap, which doesn't seem like too much of a time lag. I would guess that they starting designing the LC F in late 2016. It must take some time to develop this car into a F version. So, I am not surprised with the delay.

regarding not revealing much in terms of details, this seems to be typical of Lexus and, perhaps, many high end lux cars (just my relatively uniformed opinion). As far as whether it will be a V8, somewhere I read that they want the LCF to compete with the GTR Nismo, which actually has a V6TT 3.8 l engine, so it does make me wonder whether they will use a TTV6. HOWEVER, IMHO it will be a TTV8; I have heard speculation that the engine will essentially be a fusion of 2 TTV4 engines (can't recall which engine from which model).

I think there will be considerable further development of the transmission. I can't see that they will just use the new 10 speed trans without modifying it a bit (the GTR NISMO has a dual clutch transmission). The new 10 speed is just not made to handle the kinds of demands of continued high performance driving. In addition, the suspension on the LC is new and excellent, but I also think that to move the LC into an F performance car, they will need to tweak that suspension more (Porsche continues to tweak the suspension of the 911 GT3; their new one for the GT3 Rs seems awesome.

Finally, they must shed weight off the LC. All of the luxury gear weight a lot and I wonder whether they will cut some of that this; they certainly will add more carbon fiber. They would have to shed 400+ pounds to bring it close to the 3911 lbs of the GTR Nismo.

whatever the case, it's fun to speculate and we are sure to see some mules out and about early 2019 if not late 2018.
PeterF
ssun30
Hmm...they are taking their sweet time aren't they? Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.

It's really fishy that there has not been any solid confirmation on a V8 in the works. All information surrounding it has been speculations. The more I think about it, the more it begins to make sense that TMC no longer wants a V8.
I should say first that I'm no expert on the time it takes to transform a car into a F version, especially something so new like the LC. The LC was available for orders in early January 2017 with deliveries starting in early May. If the LC F is in production for deliveries in early 2020 that would be a 2.5 year gap, which doesn't seem like too much of a time lag. I would guess that they starting designing the LC F in late 2016. It must take some time to develop this car into a F version. So, I am not surprised with the delay.

regarding not revealing much in terms of details, this seems to be typical of Lexus and, perhaps, many high end lux cars (just my relatively uniformed opinion). As far as whether it will be a V8, somewhere I read that they want the LCF to compete with the GTR Nismo, which actually has a V6TT 3.8 l engine, so it does make me wonder whether they will use a TTV6. HOWEVER, IMHO it will be a TTV8; I have heard speculation that the engine will essentially be a fusion of 2 TTV4 engines (can't recall which engine from which model).

I think there will be considerable further development of the transmission. I can't see that they will just use the new 10 speed trans without modifying it a bit (the GTR NISMO has a dual clutch transmission). The new 10 speed is just not made to handle the kinds of demands of continued high performance driving. In addition, the suspension on the LC is new and excellent, but I also think that to move the LC into an F performance car, they will need to tweak that suspension more (Porsche continues to tweak the suspension of the 911 GT3; their new one for the GT3 Rs seems awesome.

Finally, they must shed weight off the LC. All of the luxury gear weight a lot and I wonder whether they will cut some of that this; they certainly will add more carbon fiber. They would have to shed 400+ pounds to bring it close to the 3911 lbs of the GTR Nismo.

whatever the case, it's fun to speculate and we are sure to see some mules out and about early 2019 if not late 2018.
PeterF
ssun30
Hmm...they are taking their sweet time aren't they? Maybe at one point they determined doing 'another 600hp V8TT but five years late' could not make it stand out and are now investigating other powertrain options.

It's really fishy that there has not been any solid confirmation on a V8 in the works. All information surrounding it has been speculations. The more I think about it, the more it begins to make sense that TMC no longer wants a V8.
I should say first that I'm no expert on the time it takes to transform a car into a F version, especially something so new like the LC. The LC was available for orders in early January 2017 with deliveries starting in early May. If the LC F is in production for deliveries in early 2020 that would be a 2.5 year gap, which doesn't seem like too much of a time lag. I would guess that they starting designing the LC F in late 2016. It must take some time to develop this car into a F version. So, I am not surprised with the delay.

regarding not revealing much in terms of details, this seems to be typical of Lexus and, perhaps, many high end lux cars (just my relatively uniformed opinion). As far as whether it will be a V8, somewhere I read that they want the LCF to compete with the GTR Nismo, which actually has a V6TT 3.8 l engine, so it does make me wonder whether they will use a TTV6. HOWEVER, IMHO it will be a TTV8; I have heard speculation that the engine will essentially be a fusion of 2 TTV4 engines (can't recall which engine from which model).

I think there will be considerable further development of the transmission. I can't see that they will just use the new 10 speed trans without modifying it a bit (the GTR NISMO has a dual clutch transmission). The new 10 speed is just not made to handle the kinds of demands of continued high performance driving. In addition, the suspension on the LC is new and excellent, but I also think that to move the LC into an F performance car, they will need to tweak that suspension more (Porsche continues to tweak the suspension of the 911 GT3; their new one for the GT3 Rs seems awesome.

Finally, they must shed weight off the LC. All of the luxury gear weight a lot and I wonder whether they will cut some of that this; they certainly will add more carbon fiber. They would have to shed 400+ pounds to bring it close to the 3911 lbs of the GTR Nismo.

whatever the case, it's fun to speculate and we are sure to see some mules out and about early 2019 if not late 2018.
RichieRich
PeterF
As far as whether it will be a V8, somewhere I read that they want the LCF to compete with the GTR Nismo, which actually has a V6TT 3.8 l engine, so it does make me wonder whether they will use a TTV6. HOWEVER, IMHO it will be a TTV8;
Lexus could easily build a V6TT Engine to compete with the GTR Nismo and others. IMO, I think if they don't have a V8 in the lineup, especially in the F cars, they will here/receive so many negative reviews for not having a V8 engine. Even if they built a V6TT with more HP, more torque, and faster than the competition.

R