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
Popular Stories

Sorry. No data so far.

Comments
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.
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.
Ian Schmidt
Unless the entire interior is gold plated or something there's no way the LC F would double the price of the base model. Lexus, for all their other faults, don't generally overprice vehicles.
Ian Schmidt
Unless the entire interior is gold plated or something there's no way the LC F would double the price of the base model. Lexus, for all their other faults, don't generally overprice vehicles.
Ian Schmidt
Unless the entire interior is gold plated or something there's no way the LC F would double the price of the base model. Lexus, for all their other faults, don't generally overprice vehicles.
PeterF
Ian Schmidt
Unless the entire interior is gold plated or something there's no way the LC F would double the price of the base model. Lexus, for all their other faults, don't generally overprice vehicles.
True, this could be inaccurate reporting.

I do like GTG's suggestion of keeping it significantly below $150k, like $120 - $130 k; they would sell quite a few. Hell, I'd seriously consider buying one. I am waiting to hear about specs and performance on the track, including Nurburgring. I wonder how well they will get the suspension? obviously they will need a lot of carbon fiber b/c the LC is a heavy (albeit sexy) car
PeterF
Ian Schmidt
Unless the entire interior is gold plated or something there's no way the LC F would double the price of the base model. Lexus, for all their other faults, don't generally overprice vehicles.
True, this could be inaccurate reporting.

I do like GTG's suggestion of keeping it significantly below $150k, like $120 - $130 k; they would sell quite a few. Hell, I'd seriously consider buying one. I am waiting to hear about specs and performance on the track, including Nurburgring. I wonder how well they will get the suspension? obviously they will need a lot of carbon fiber b/c the LC is a heavy (albeit sexy) car
PeterF
Ian Schmidt
Unless the entire interior is gold plated or something there's no way the LC F would double the price of the base model. Lexus, for all their other faults, don't generally overprice vehicles.
True, this could be inaccurate reporting.

I do like GTG's suggestion of keeping it significantly below $150k, like $120 - $130 k; they would sell quite a few. Hell, I'd seriously consider buying one. I am waiting to hear about specs and performance on the track, including Nurburgring. I wonder how well they will get the suspension? obviously they will need a lot of carbon fiber b/c the LC is a heavy (albeit sexy) car
maiaramdan
I can say 200k is normal but what bothers me most was the schedule
maiaramdan
I can say 200k is normal but what bothers me most was the schedule
maiaramdan
I can say 200k is normal but what bothers me most was the schedule
S
Rhambler
2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
On the other hand, it is very sad that BMW cant build luxury vehicles and compete with something like LC or LFA.

Not sure what does M5 have to do with LC at all.
S
Rhambler
2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
On the other hand, it is very sad that BMW cant build luxury vehicles and compete with something like LC or LFA.

Not sure what does M5 have to do with LC at all.
S
Rhambler
2018 BMW M5: $102k and 600 HP (legitimate 3.2 s or faster)
On the other hand, it is very sad that BMW cant build luxury vehicles and compete with something like LC or LFA.

Not sure what does M5 have to do with LC at all.
ThePenguin
ssun30
This thread has had so much nonsense that it has become very hard to join the discussion.
+1
ThePenguin
ssun30
This thread has had so much nonsense that it has become very hard to join the discussion.
+1
ThePenguin
ssun30
This thread has had so much nonsense that it has become very hard to join the discussion.
+1
zeusus
Rhambler
Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.
You've been proven wrong plenty of times, its just hard to accept. :cool:
zeusus
Rhambler
Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.
You've been proven wrong plenty of times, its just hard to accept. :cool:
zeusus
Rhambler
Toyota/Lexus doesn’t know how to build performance engines anymore and I stand by that. I haven’t been proven wrong yet.
You've been proven wrong plenty of times, its just hard to accept. :cool:
Carmaker1
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]


View the original article post
This was never the LC-F really, but a mule for the LC convertible. Looking at the roof and A pillars gives that away.
Carmaker1
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]


View the original article post
This was never the LC-F really, but a mule for the LC convertible. Looking at the roof and A pillars gives that away.
Carmaker1
krew
Lexus LC F Prototype Spotted in California?

[​IMG]


View the original article post
This was never the LC-F really, but a mule for the LC convertible. Looking at the roof and A pillars gives that away.
krew
krew

Lexus Chief Engineer Koji Sato: "The LC project is not finished yet"
[​IMG]

"We are always moving forward. It’s never ending."
View the original article post
krew
krew

Lexus Chief Engineer Koji Sato: "The LC project is not finished yet"
[​IMG]

"We are always moving forward. It’s never ending."
View the original article post
krew
krew

Lexus Chief Engineer Koji Sato: "The LC project is not finished yet"
[​IMG]

"We are always moving forward. It’s never ending."
View the original article post
CRSKTN
Rhambler
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.
I don't think i've ever seen anybody so confidently present baseless conjecture as fact as you have been in this thread. The idea that TMC doesn't know how to build performance engines is laughable and demonstrably false. I would be curious as to how much time you've spent behind the wheel of the types of cars you're discussing. Add to that the fact that you compared a bunch of 4 door sports sedans which target a different audience and compared them to the LC, and I'm feeling quite comfortable in my assertions above.

By your logic, the nearly $200k, ~4 second 0-60 V8 version of the Aston Martin DB11 is something nobody would buy.

Unfortunately for your argument (which is consistent with most window shoppers and spec sheet racers who aren't in the market for these cars), people shopping for this segment of cars actually spend hands on time with these cars and purchase based on what matters to them including design, build quality, service quality, and things like actual driving dynamics.
B
All: The current LC500 has 471 HP the 467 is in the GS-F and RC-F. The LC-F will probably have a 4.0-4.4 liter TTV8 will close to 630 HP from what I read and whole bunch of torque. At that Point its going to be real hard to beat.

R,

Markus
B
@CRSKTN The same thing is happening with the LS500... the very same thing.

R,

Markus
Gecko
I have a good friend who works in product for MB, and for what it's worth, they're having an awful time trying to sell the AMG GT. Nobody wants it.

LC is not alone in this regard.

G