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
Joaquin Ruhi
meth.ix
interesting that there was no space between the LC and the F...
Yeah, I was surprised by that, too. The space is clearly there in both European filings but not in the American one. I don't know if that has any great significance. Then again, it seems that Toyota USA can sometimes be a bit careless in their trademark filings. They initially filed the trademark for their Nissan Juke rival as CH-R (CH-dash-R), realized their mistake and had to file a second one with the correct C-HR (C-dash-HR)
Joaquin Ruhi
meth.ix
interesting that there was no space between the LC and the F...
Yeah, I was surprised by that, too. The space is clearly there in both European filings but not in the American one. I don't know if that has any great significance. Then again, it seems that Toyota USA can sometimes be a bit careless in their trademark filings. They initially filed the trademark for their Nissan Juke rival as CH-R (CH-dash-R), realized their mistake and had to file a second one with the correct C-HR (C-dash-HR)
krew
krew [​IMG]

Future badge also included in the submission.
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krew
krew [​IMG]

Future badge also included in the submission.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

Future badge also included in the submission.
View the original article post
maiaramdan
Sooner or later it will make it's debut
We already knew this from the time we knew there will be a car based on lflc
The question is what's the power train
maiaramdan
Sooner or later it will make it's debut
We already knew this from the time we knew there will be a car based on lflc
The question is what's the power train
maiaramdan
Sooner or later it will make it's debut
We already knew this from the time we knew there will be a car based on lflc
The question is what's the power train
mikeavelli
Truly truly excited for this car..
mikeavelli
Truly truly excited for this car..
mikeavelli
Truly truly excited for this car..
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
Lexus Cohen
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
That would be nice, but the LC 500 is good enough for me! I wouldn't be able to handle a twin turbo V8!
Lexus Cohen
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
That would be nice, but the LC 500 is good enough for me! I wouldn't be able to handle a twin turbo V8!
Lexus Cohen
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
That would be nice, but the LC 500 is good enough for me! I wouldn't be able to handle a twin turbo V8!
mikeavelli
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
Pretty precise there! I'll say 615hp and 655 lbs of torque. Enough for marketing to say 200 more than the LS 500.
mikeavelli
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
Pretty precise there! I'll say 615hp and 655 lbs of torque. Enough for marketing to say 200 more than the LS 500.
mikeavelli
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
Pretty precise there! I'll say 615hp and 655 lbs of torque. Enough for marketing to say 200 more than the LS 500.
M
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
No confidence in them using hybrid power?
M
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
No confidence in them using hybrid power?
M
Gecko
Anyone want to take a guess on power?

I'm going to say 608hp and 642 lb-ft from a twin turbo V8.
No confidence in them using hybrid power?
Gecko
Mohammed Taha
No confidence in them using hybrid power?
I do not think so, at this point.
Gecko
Mohammed Taha
No confidence in them using hybrid power?
I do not think so, at this point.
Gecko
Mohammed Taha
No confidence in them using hybrid power?
I do not think so, at this point.
M
Gecko
I do not think so, at this point.

<---- Must be due to how badly we got burnt by the sriracha episode
M
Gecko
I do not think so, at this point.

<---- Must be due to how badly we got burnt by the sriracha episode
M
Gecko
I do not think so, at this point.

<---- Must be due to how badly we got burnt by the sriracha episode
Madi
I'm strongly with the Hybrid powertrain since I heard before from some sources of that, the engine compartment is so tight and there is no room for Supercharger or Turbos.



So I guess its either, a smaller engine with twin turbo (maybe a V6 ), or High performance Hybrid

M