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
Faisal Sheikh
PeterF
I love the Lexus NA V8 5 l engine!
Yeah, you guys get a much better exhaust note than we do stock in the LC. RCF is like 90% engine noise and only 10% exhaust.
Faisal Sheikh
PeterF
I love the Lexus NA V8 5 l engine!
Yeah, you guys get a much better exhaust note than we do stock in the LC. RCF is like 90% engine noise and only 10% exhaust.
GTG
Ha !! I said it I knew it !!! But 200 thousand , nooooooooo please noooo ! I hope that it is 130 base 150 max , then it will sell like hot cakes in the winter . Lexus listen to me ! , keep the car price low , you see what happened to the NSX DONT sell it over 200 thousands . If Lexus stays in the 150 Zone, it will be a super car that everyone and there Mother’s would want , with no maintenance issues at all .
GTG
Ha !! I said it I knew it !!! But 200 thousand , nooooooooo please noooo ! I hope that it is 130 base 150 max , then it will sell like hot cakes in the winter . Lexus listen to me ! , keep the car price low , you see what happened to the NSX DONT sell it over 200 thousands . If Lexus stays in the 150 Zone, it will be a super car that everyone and there Mother’s would want , with no maintenance issues at all .
GTG
Ha !! I said it I knew it !!! But 200 thousand , nooooooooo please noooo ! I hope that it is 130 base 150 max , then it will sell like hot cakes in the winter . Lexus listen to me ! , keep the car price low , you see what happened to the NSX DONT sell it over 200 thousands . If Lexus stays in the 150 Zone, it will be a super car that everyone and there Mother’s would want , with no maintenance issues at all .
R
I agree, that’s way too much. In fact the current MSRP of the LC sits near such esteemed competitors as the Mercedes AMG GT, BMW M5 and Audi RS7, which already puts out 600 or near 600 HP and performance that smashes the LC, with nice touches of luxury. Just look:

2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes AMG GTS: $132k and 515 HP (legitimate 3.7 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes E63s: $104k and 603 HP (legitimate 3.3 s or faster)
2018 Audi RS7: $113k and 569 HP (legitimate 3.5 s or faster)

2018 Lexus LC: $92k and 471 HP (legitimate 4.7 s or faster)
LCF: $200k and 600 HP (insert overrated manufacturer number here)

BMW M8: probably $110k-$130k and 600 HP

That’s why LC sales will likely continue to plummet in my opinion. Unless you’re a die-hard Lexus fan (which probably already purchased one), people would probably cross shop a lot of these. I would.

Oh, and I would take the Mercedes E63S, RS7 or M5 over the current LC. Pay a little more to get A LOT, LOT, LOT more. If you can afford the LC, you can probably afford the others as well and it would be an easy choice.

$200k for an LCF is just laughable. In fact the current LC should be $75k (the current price is a joke) and the LCF should be half of whatever they’re smoking.
R
I agree, that’s way too much. In fact the current MSRP of the LC sits near such esteemed competitors as the Mercedes AMG GT, BMW M5 and Audi RS7, which already puts out 600 or near 600 HP and performance that smashes the LC, with nice touches of luxury. Just look:

2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes AMG GTS: $132k and 515 HP (legitimate 3.7 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes E63s: $104k and 603 HP (legitimate 3.3 s or faster)
2018 Audi RS7: $113k and 569 HP (legitimate 3.5 s or faster)

2018 Lexus LC: $92k and 471 HP (legitimate 4.7 s or faster)
LCF: $200k and 600 HP (insert overrated manufacturer number here)

BMW M8: probably $110k-$130k and 600 HP

That’s why LC sales will likely continue to plummet in my opinion. Unless you’re a die-hard Lexus fan (which probably already purchased one), people would probably cross shop a lot of these. I would.

Oh, and I would take the Mercedes E63S, RS7 or M5 over the current LC. Pay a little more to get A LOT, LOT, LOT more. If you can afford the LC, you can probably afford the others as well and it would be an easy choice.

$200k for an LCF is just laughable. In fact the current LC should be $75k (the current price is a joke) and the LCF should be half of whatever they’re smoking.
R
I agree, that’s way too much. In fact the current MSRP of the LC sits near such esteemed competitors as the Mercedes AMG GT, BMW M5 and Audi RS7, which already puts out 600 or near 600 HP and performance that smashes the LC, with nice touches of luxury. Just look:

2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes AMG GTS: $132k and 515 HP (legitimate 3.7 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes E63s: $104k and 603 HP (legitimate 3.3 s or faster)
2018 Audi RS7: $113k and 569 HP (legitimate 3.5 s or faster)

2018 Lexus LC: $92k and 471 HP (legitimate 4.7 s or faster)
LCF: $200k and 600 HP (insert overrated manufacturer number here)

BMW M8: probably $110k-$130k and 600 HP

That’s why LC sales will likely continue to plummet in my opinion. Unless you’re a die-hard Lexus fan (which probably already purchased one), people would probably cross shop a lot of these. I would.

Oh, and I would take the Mercedes E63S, RS7 or M5 over the current LC. Pay a little more to get A LOT, LOT, LOT more. If you can afford the LC, you can probably afford the others as well and it would be an easy choice.

$200k for an LCF is just laughable. In fact the current LC should be $75k (the current price is a joke) and the LCF should be half of whatever they’re smoking.
meth.ix
There is absolutely no way the the BMW M8 will be $110k-$130k lol... it will be more like $150k base, which will easily get close to $200k with options. The S63 Coupe starts at $150k, and the S65 Coupe (V12) that MotorTrend reviewed was $250k.

So I'd say $130k-$150k is a definitely a reasonable price for the LC F to start at. I think the C/D rumor about the price is 99% likely to be false.
meth.ix
There is absolutely no way the the BMW M8 will be $110k-$130k lol... it will be more like $150k base, which will easily get close to $200k with options. The S63 Coupe starts at $150k, and the S65 Coupe (V12) that MotorTrend reviewed was $250k.

So I'd say $130k-$150k is a definitely a reasonable price for the LC F to start at. I think the C/D rumor about the price is 99% likely to be false.
meth.ix
There is absolutely no way the the BMW M8 will be $110k-$130k lol... it will be more like $150k base, which will easily get close to $200k with options. The S63 Coupe starts at $150k, and the S65 Coupe (V12) that MotorTrend reviewed was $250k.

So I'd say $130k-$150k is a definitely a reasonable price for the LC F to start at. I think the C/D rumor about the price is 99% likely to be false.
R
I don’t think it will be anywhere near $150k. My bet is $120k-$130k MSRP.

I think it will be priced competively to the AMG GTR coupe and new four-door AMG GT coupe and we already know the MSRP of that car.

It doesn’t matter, though, the whole point being is that $200k for an LCF would be dumb, which wouldn’t surprise me considering the MSRP of the LC now...

Fact of the matter, I would bet the LCF and 600 HP engine will not not even make it to production. Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.
R
I don’t think it will be anywhere near $150k. My bet is $120k-$130k MSRP.

I think it will be priced competively to the AMG GTR coupe and new four-door AMG GT coupe and we already know the MSRP of that car.

It doesn’t matter, though, the whole point being is that $200k for an LCF would be dumb, which wouldn’t surprise me considering the MSRP of the LC now...

Fact of the matter, I would bet the LCF and 600 HP engine will not not even make it to production. Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.
R
I don’t think it will be anywhere near $150k. My bet is $120k-$130k MSRP.

I think it will be priced competively to the AMG GTR coupe and new four-door AMG GT coupe and we already know the MSRP of that car.

It doesn’t matter, though, the whole point being is that $200k for an LCF would be dumb, which wouldn’t surprise me considering the MSRP of the LC now...

Fact of the matter, I would bet the LCF and 600 HP engine will not not even make it to production. Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.
S
This thread has had so much nonsense that it has become very hard to join the discussion.
S
This thread has had so much nonsense that it has become very hard to join the discussion.
S
This thread has had so much nonsense that it has become very hard to join the discussion.
R
I agree, like the $200k price tag for an LCF...
R
I agree, like the $200k price tag for an LCF...
R
I agree, like the $200k price tag for an LCF...
GTG
The LCF will be a great car, just not at 200 thousand , this car is not for that type of market . The people that buy Lexus, 50% are from Toyota , 30% are original owner and 20% are from other brands . They all have 3 things in common, reliability, safety and value/resale . 200 thousand does not fit with these buyers . The LFA is worth 1 million and more, all because of limited units and unmatched performance . Just make a LFA 2 800 hp with the same price and half the units worth 500 thousand , drop the LC price to max 90 thousand and LCF 130 an call it a day . Oh make the LFA 2 a rear engine since where talking dream land stuff . lol
GTG
The LCF will be a great car, just not at 200 thousand , this car is not for that type of market . The people that buy Lexus, 50% are from Toyota , 30% are original owner and 20% are from other brands . They all have 3 things in common, reliability, safety and value/resale . 200 thousand does not fit with these buyers . The LFA is worth 1 million and more, all because of limited units and unmatched performance . Just make a LFA 2 800 hp with the same price and half the units worth 500 thousand , drop the LC price to max 90 thousand and LCF 130 an call it a day . Oh make the LFA 2 a rear engine since where talking dream land stuff . lol
GTG
The LCF will be a great car, just not at 200 thousand , this car is not for that type of market . The people that buy Lexus, 50% are from Toyota , 30% are original owner and 20% are from other brands . They all have 3 things in common, reliability, safety and value/resale . 200 thousand does not fit with these buyers . The LFA is worth 1 million and more, all because of limited units and unmatched performance . Just make a LFA 2 800 hp with the same price and half the units worth 500 thousand , drop the LC price to max 90 thousand and LCF 130 an call it a day . Oh make the LFA 2 a rear engine since where talking dream land stuff . lol
PeterF
Rhambler
I agree, that’s way too much. In fact the current MSRP of the LC sits near such esteemed competitors as the Mercedes AMG GT, BMW M5 and Audi RS7, which already puts out 600 or near 600 HP and performance that smashes the LC, with nice touches of luxury. Just look:

2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes AMG GTS: $132k and 515 HP (legitimate 3.7 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes E63s: $104k and 603 HP (legitimate 3.3 s or faster)
2018 Audi RS7: $113k and 569 HP (legitimate 3.5 s or faster)

2018 Lexus LC: $92k and 471 HP (legitimate 4.7 s or faster)
LCF: $200k and 600 HP (insert overrated manufacturer number here)

BMW M8: probably $110k-$130k and 600 HP

That’s why LC sales will likely continue to plummet in my opinion. Unless you’re a die-hard Lexus fan (which probably already purchased one), people would probably cross shop a lot of these. I would.

Oh, and I would take the Mercedes E63S, RS7 or M5 over the current LC. Pay a little more to get A LOT, LOT, LOT more. If you can afford the LC, you can probably afford the others as well and it would be an easy choice.

$200k for an LCF is just laughable. In fact the current LC should be $75k (the current price is a joke) and the LCF should be half of whatever they’re smoking.
I completely agree! My first thought when I saw that $200k estimated value is that I would buy a 911 GT3 over the LC F anytime. Now it's next to impossible to get a new GT3 build (they are about $170 k now) given Porsche's priority system, but a 2016 or 2017 GT3 will be close to beating the LC F on 0-60 and should beat the LC F on a road track and they have NA engines and outstanding track handling. By the time 2022 or 2021 rolls around the competition will be even better than what they are now. $200k is misguided. Recently I have been looking at the 911 GT3, the AMG GTS, the Rs7 and even a AMG E63; these cars are superb. My only gripe with AMG is the annual maintenance costs are huge
PeterF
Rhambler
I agree, that’s way too much. In fact the current MSRP of the LC sits near such esteemed competitors as the Mercedes AMG GT, BMW M5 and Audi RS7, which already puts out 600 or near 600 HP and performance that smashes the LC, with nice touches of luxury. Just look:

2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes AMG GTS: $132k and 515 HP (legitimate 3.7 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes E63s: $104k and 603 HP (legitimate 3.3 s or faster)
2018 Audi RS7: $113k and 569 HP (legitimate 3.5 s or faster)

2018 Lexus LC: $92k and 471 HP (legitimate 4.7 s or faster)
LCF: $200k and 600 HP (insert overrated manufacturer number here)

BMW M8: probably $110k-$130k and 600 HP

That’s why LC sales will likely continue to plummet in my opinion. Unless you’re a die-hard Lexus fan (which probably already purchased one), people would probably cross shop a lot of these. I would.

Oh, and I would take the Mercedes E63S, RS7 or M5 over the current LC. Pay a little more to get A LOT, LOT, LOT more. If you can afford the LC, you can probably afford the others as well and it would be an easy choice.

$200k for an LCF is just laughable. In fact the current LC should be $75k (the current price is a joke) and the LCF should be half of whatever they’re smoking.
I completely agree! My first thought when I saw that $200k estimated value is that I would buy a 911 GT3 over the LC F anytime. Now it's next to impossible to get a new GT3 build (they are about $170 k now) given Porsche's priority system, but a 2016 or 2017 GT3 will be close to beating the LC F on 0-60 and should beat the LC F on a road track and they have NA engines and outstanding track handling. By the time 2022 or 2021 rolls around the competition will be even better than what they are now. $200k is misguided. Recently I have been looking at the 911 GT3, the AMG GTS, the Rs7 and even a AMG E63; these cars are superb. My only gripe with AMG is the annual maintenance costs are huge
PeterF
Rhambler
I agree, that’s way too much. In fact the current MSRP of the LC sits near such esteemed competitors as the Mercedes AMG GT, BMW M5 and Audi RS7, which already puts out 600 or near 600 HP and performance that smashes the LC, with nice touches of luxury. Just look:

2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes AMG GTS: $132k and 515 HP (legitimate 3.7 s or faster)
2018 Mercedes E63s: $104k and 603 HP (legitimate 3.3 s or faster)
2018 Audi RS7: $113k and 569 HP (legitimate 3.5 s or faster)

2018 Lexus LC: $92k and 471 HP (legitimate 4.7 s or faster)
LCF: $200k and 600 HP (insert overrated manufacturer number here)

BMW M8: probably $110k-$130k and 600 HP

That’s why LC sales will likely continue to plummet in my opinion. Unless you’re a die-hard Lexus fan (which probably already purchased one), people would probably cross shop a lot of these. I would.

Oh, and I would take the Mercedes E63S, RS7 or M5 over the current LC. Pay a little more to get A LOT, LOT, LOT more. If you can afford the LC, you can probably afford the others as well and it would be an easy choice.

$200k for an LCF is just laughable. In fact the current LC should be $75k (the current price is a joke) and the LCF should be half of whatever they’re smoking.
I completely agree! My first thought when I saw that $200k estimated value is that I would buy a 911 GT3 over the LC F anytime. Now it's next to impossible to get a new GT3 build (they are about $170 k now) given Porsche's priority system, but a 2016 or 2017 GT3 will be close to beating the LC F on 0-60 and should beat the LC F on a road track and they have NA engines and outstanding track handling. By the time 2022 or 2021 rolls around the competition will be even better than what they are now. $200k is misguided. Recently I have been looking at the 911 GT3, the AMG GTS, the Rs7 and even a AMG E63; these cars are superb. My only gripe with AMG is the annual maintenance costs are huge
GTG
PeterF
I completely agree! My first thought when I saw that $200k estimated value is that I would buy a 911 GT3 over the LC F anytime. Now it's next to impossible to get a new GT3 build (they are about $170 k now) given Porsche's priority system, but a 2016 or 2017 GT3 will be close to beating the LC F on 0-60 and should beat the LC F on a road track and they have NA engines and outstanding track handling. By the time 2022 or 2021 rolls around the competition will be even better than what they are now. $200k is misguided. Recently I have been looking at the 911 GT3, the AMG GTS, the Rs7 and even a AMG E63; these cars are superb. My only gripe with AMG is the annual maintenance costs are huge
Brother , Lexus IS doing great stuff nowadays, but this 200 thing is not great at all . Lexus as a brand needs to occupy a space that no body else does . Less is more , more units moved , more profits, just more in the grand scheme of things . I think you are right with your full assessment of the 911 and AMG products. LC F 120 , 130 no higher and drop the LC to 90 all in , then Lexus will own that spot . Moving 50 to 70 units of the LC F and twice that a month .
GTG
PeterF
I completely agree! My first thought when I saw that $200k estimated value is that I would buy a 911 GT3 over the LC F anytime. Now it's next to impossible to get a new GT3 build (they are about $170 k now) given Porsche's priority system, but a 2016 or 2017 GT3 will be close to beating the LC F on 0-60 and should beat the LC F on a road track and they have NA engines and outstanding track handling. By the time 2022 or 2021 rolls around the competition will be even better than what they are now. $200k is misguided. Recently I have been looking at the 911 GT3, the AMG GTS, the Rs7 and even a AMG E63; these cars are superb. My only gripe with AMG is the annual maintenance costs are huge
Brother , Lexus IS doing great stuff nowadays, but this 200 thing is not great at all . Lexus as a brand needs to occupy a space that no body else does . Less is more , more units moved , more profits, just more in the grand scheme of things . I think you are right with your full assessment of the 911 and AMG products. LC F 120 , 130 no higher and drop the LC to 90 all in , then Lexus will own that spot . Moving 50 to 70 units of the LC F and twice that a month .
GTG
PeterF
I completely agree! My first thought when I saw that $200k estimated value is that I would buy a 911 GT3 over the LC F anytime. Now it's next to impossible to get a new GT3 build (they are about $170 k now) given Porsche's priority system, but a 2016 or 2017 GT3 will be close to beating the LC F on 0-60 and should beat the LC F on a road track and they have NA engines and outstanding track handling. By the time 2022 or 2021 rolls around the competition will be even better than what they are now. $200k is misguided. Recently I have been looking at the 911 GT3, the AMG GTS, the Rs7 and even a AMG E63; these cars are superb. My only gripe with AMG is the annual maintenance costs are huge
Brother , Lexus IS doing great stuff nowadays, but this 200 thing is not great at all . Lexus as a brand needs to occupy a space that no body else does . Less is more , more units moved , more profits, just more in the grand scheme of things . I think you are right with your full assessment of the 911 and AMG products. LC F 120 , 130 no higher and drop the LC to 90 all in , then Lexus will own that spot . Moving 50 to 70 units of the LC F and twice that a month .
Faisal Sheikh
You haven't been proven wrong? LOL Quite a cocky statement considering you lack knowledge in this area.

The current 5.0 Liter V8 is used in the RCF GT3 racing car with very small modifications and yes, it wins races (just won over the weekend). It takes only a true high performance engine to withstand the torture and stress of endurance racing.

Rhambler
Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.

F