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
C
Gecko

:D Especially in USB!!! :D
C
Gecko

:D Especially in USB!!! :D
T
corradoMR2
joe_my
Every F element looks fine on the LC500 but it doesn't need the side vents at all, they'll spoil the smooth surface of that part.
Of course, the exception is the LFA, but to my eyes, since the LC is offered in "base" with the smooth front fenders, it's not an F without the signature fender vertical scoop on each side. Those are a must! :)
doesn't need one, theres already scoops in the rear
T
corradoMR2
joe_my
Every F element looks fine on the LC500 but it doesn't need the side vents at all, they'll spoil the smooth surface of that part.
Of course, the exception is the LFA, but to my eyes, since the LC is offered in "base" with the smooth front fenders, it's not an F without the signature fender vertical scoop on each side. Those are a must! :)
doesn't need one, theres already scoops in the rear
T
corradoMR2
joe_my
Every F element looks fine on the LC500 but it doesn't need the side vents at all, they'll spoil the smooth surface of that part.
Of course, the exception is the LFA, but to my eyes, since the LC is offered in "base" with the smooth front fenders, it's not an F without the signature fender vertical scoop on each side. Those are a must! :)
doesn't need one, theres already scoops in the rear
Gecko
The vents are also functional for cooling the rear brakes, so I'm cool with them!
Gecko
The vents are also functional for cooling the rear brakes, so I'm cool with them!
Gecko
The vents are also functional for cooling the rear brakes, so I'm cool with them!
A
Is nobody thinking that maybe the engine in the LFA project X could be used in the LC F?
A
Is nobody thinking that maybe the engine in the LFA project X could be used in the LC F?
A
Is nobody thinking that maybe the engine in the LFA project X could be used in the LC F?
meth.ix
I think the LC F will probably have a V10, given it's proportions. But it might affect the price, so I'm not too sure.
meth.ix
I think the LC F will probably have a V10, given it's proportions. But it might affect the price, so I'm not too sure.
meth.ix
I think the LC F will probably have a V10, given it's proportions. But it might affect the price, so I'm not too sure.
Lexus Cohen
Meth Jayasekera
I think the LC F will probably have a V10, given it's proportions. But it might affect the price, so I'm not too sure.
The starting price would be at least $170,000 in that case.
Lexus Cohen
Meth Jayasekera
I think the LC F will probably have a V10, given it's proportions. But it might affect the price, so I'm not too sure.
The starting price would be at least $170,000 in that case.
Lexus Cohen
Meth Jayasekera
I think the LC F will probably have a V10, given it's proportions. But it might affect the price, so I'm not too sure.
The starting price would be at least $170,000 in that case.
B
LC-F with V10 And Lightweight Hybrid Technology like Mclaren P1, LaFerrari (Small Battery + Recovery System)

600 HP is Fast , i don't need stupid turbine , i need hi revving NA Engine for Sharp Engine Response , and F1 engine sound

not 9000 but 8500 rpm is enough , keep the cost of v10 down and make it in to the production

100,000 $ or lower for LC500 <same as 991> , 170,000$ for LC-F <same as a GT3 , 991 Turbo>

LFA Sound is ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE SOUND IN THE WORLD , Better than Maserati , better than the Ferrari , Better than the Lamborghini

LEXUS shound make it happen again

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/w...-sound-tests-on-a-lexus-lfa-video-101541.html

Turbo isn't everything , see the porsche GT3RS no turbo but it so fast , and sound so good too.
B
LC-F with V10 And Lightweight Hybrid Technology like Mclaren P1, LaFerrari (Small Battery + Recovery System)

600 HP is Fast , i don't need stupid turbine , i need hi revving NA Engine for Sharp Engine Response , and F1 engine sound

not 9000 but 8500 rpm is enough , keep the cost of v10 down and make it in to the production

100,000 $ or lower for LC500 <same as 991> , 170,000$ for LC-F <same as a GT3 , 991 Turbo>

LFA Sound is ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE SOUND IN THE WORLD , Better than Maserati , better than the Ferrari , Better than the Lamborghini

LEXUS shound make it happen again

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/w...-sound-tests-on-a-lexus-lfa-video-101541.html

Turbo isn't everything , see the porsche GT3RS no turbo but it so fast , and sound so good too.
B
LC-F with V10 And Lightweight Hybrid Technology like Mclaren P1, LaFerrari (Small Battery + Recovery System)

600 HP is Fast , i don't need stupid turbine , i need hi revving NA Engine for Sharp Engine Response , and F1 engine sound

not 9000 but 8500 rpm is enough , keep the cost of v10 down and make it in to the production

100,000 $ or lower for LC500 <same as 991> , 170,000$ for LC-F <same as a GT3 , 991 Turbo>

LFA Sound is ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE SOUND IN THE WORLD , Better than Maserati , better than the Ferrari , Better than the Lamborghini

LEXUS shound make it happen again

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/w...-sound-tests-on-a-lexus-lfa-video-101541.html

Turbo isn't everything , see the porsche GT3RS no turbo but it so fast , and sound so good too.
A
Butterzai
LC-F with V10 And Lightweight Hybrid Technology like Mclaren P1, LaFerrari (Small Battery + Recovery System)

600 HP is Fast , i don't need stupid turbine , i need hi revving NA Engine for Sharp Engine Response , and F1 engine sound

not 9000 but 8500 rpm is enough , keep the cost of v10 down and make it in to the production

100,000 $ or lower for LC500 <same as 991> , 170,000$ for LC-F <same as a GT3 , 991 Turbo>

LFA Sound is ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE SOUND IN THE WORLD , Better than Maserati , better than the Ferrari , Better than the Lamborghini

LEXUS shound make it happen again

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/w...-sound-tests-on-a-lexus-lfa-video-101541.html

Turbo isn't everything , see the porsche GT3RS no turbo but it so fast , and sound so good too.
there is many wrong things in your comment...
first...using the same technology as the P1....you do know that the P1 costs more than 800,000$? you want that technology in a 170,000$?
and they can't use the LF-A engine...it won't work...the LC-F is too heavy....it's not built to be like the LF-A, it's not a super car.....
and the LC-F will never cost 170,000$ if the normal LC500 costs 100,000$....no one will pay 70,000$ more to get another 100 HP....the LC-F will cost about 120-130k $...no more....because then people will start complaining.....
you can't compare the LC-F with the GT3RS...the porsche is stripped down....there is nothing in the car....the LC-F is a luxury performance coupe...not to break records.....they have to develop a new engine for the LC-F...v8 with TURBO....or even use the 5.0L currently in the RC-F with that TURBO....this is the only way they can compete in the numbers game....
A
Butterzai
LC-F with V10 And Lightweight Hybrid Technology like Mclaren P1, LaFerrari (Small Battery + Recovery System)

600 HP is Fast , i don't need stupid turbine , i need hi revving NA Engine for Sharp Engine Response , and F1 engine sound

not 9000 but 8500 rpm is enough , keep the cost of v10 down and make it in to the production

100,000 $ or lower for LC500 <same as 991> , 170,000$ for LC-F <same as a GT3 , 991 Turbo>

LFA Sound is ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE SOUND IN THE WORLD , Better than Maserati , better than the Ferrari , Better than the Lamborghini

LEXUS shound make it happen again

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/w...-sound-tests-on-a-lexus-lfa-video-101541.html

Turbo isn't everything , see the porsche GT3RS no turbo but it so fast , and sound so good too.
there is many wrong things in your comment...
first...using the same technology as the P1....you do know that the P1 costs more than 800,000$? you want that technology in a 170,000$?
and they can't use the LF-A engine...it won't work...the LC-F is too heavy....it's not built to be like the LF-A, it's not a super car.....
and the LC-F will never cost 170,000$ if the normal LC500 costs 100,000$....no one will pay 70,000$ more to get another 100 HP....the LC-F will cost about 120-130k $...no more....because then people will start complaining.....
you can't compare the LC-F with the GT3RS...the porsche is stripped down....there is nothing in the car....the LC-F is a luxury performance coupe...not to break records.....they have to develop a new engine for the LC-F...v8 with TURBO....or even use the 5.0L currently in the RC-F with that TURBO....this is the only way they can compete in the numbers game....
A
Butterzai
LC-F with V10 And Lightweight Hybrid Technology like Mclaren P1, LaFerrari (Small Battery + Recovery System)

600 HP is Fast , i don't need stupid turbine , i need hi revving NA Engine for Sharp Engine Response , and F1 engine sound

not 9000 but 8500 rpm is enough , keep the cost of v10 down and make it in to the production

100,000 $ or lower for LC500 <same as 991> , 170,000$ for LC-F <same as a GT3 , 991 Turbo>

LFA Sound is ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE SOUND IN THE WORLD , Better than Maserati , better than the Ferrari , Better than the Lamborghini

LEXUS shound make it happen again

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/w...-sound-tests-on-a-lexus-lfa-video-101541.html

Turbo isn't everything , see the porsche GT3RS no turbo but it so fast , and sound so good too.
there is many wrong things in your comment...
first...using the same technology as the P1....you do know that the P1 costs more than 800,000$? you want that technology in a 170,000$?
and they can't use the LF-A engine...it won't work...the LC-F is too heavy....it's not built to be like the LF-A, it's not a super car.....
and the LC-F will never cost 170,000$ if the normal LC500 costs 100,000$....no one will pay 70,000$ more to get another 100 HP....the LC-F will cost about 120-130k $...no more....because then people will start complaining.....
you can't compare the LC-F with the GT3RS...the porsche is stripped down....there is nothing in the car....the LC-F is a luxury performance coupe...not to break records.....they have to develop a new engine for the LC-F...v8 with TURBO....or even use the 5.0L currently in the RC-F with that TURBO....this is the only way they can compete in the numbers game....
Gecko
I am expecting a twin-turbo V8 with 600+hp for LC F, personally.
Gecko
I am expecting a twin-turbo V8 with 600+hp for LC F, personally.
Gecko
I am expecting a twin-turbo V8 with 600+hp for LC F, personally.
mikeavelli
Gecko
hahahah, exactly
mikeavelli
Gecko
hahahah, exactly
mikeavelli
Gecko
hahahah, exactly
krew
krew [​IMG]

Top Speed has created a rendering of the potential Lexus LC F in Molten Pearl Orange.
View the original article post

K