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
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
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
Y
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
Not necessarily. BMW puts its twin-turbos between the banks of the V8 so it's just about as compact as the regular V8. Lexus can learn from them.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/eight_cylinder_engine.html
Y
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
Not necessarily. BMW puts its twin-turbos between the banks of the V8 so it's just about as compact as the regular V8. Lexus can learn from them.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/eight_cylinder_engine.html
Y
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
Not necessarily. BMW puts its twin-turbos between the banks of the V8 so it's just about as compact as the regular V8. Lexus can learn from them.
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/eight_cylinder_engine.html
L
  • L
    LDEUX
  • February 22, 2017
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
As much as I'd like to see a TT V8, I think the Lexus engineers will follow the footsteps of the new NSX engineers. The hybrid motor will add another 90-100 hp. Lexus has to know that the bulk of the performance enthusiast won't be able to afford this. The real question will be what the increase in price is. I say a 25K bump at least.
L
  • L
    LDEUX
  • February 22, 2017
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
As much as I'd like to see a TT V8, I think the Lexus engineers will follow the footsteps of the new NSX engineers. The hybrid motor will add another 90-100 hp. Lexus has to know that the bulk of the performance enthusiast won't be able to afford this. The real question will be what the increase in price is. I say a 25K bump at least.
L
  • L
    LDEUX
  • February 22, 2017
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
As much as I'd like to see a TT V8, I think the Lexus engineers will follow the footsteps of the new NSX engineers. The hybrid motor will add another 90-100 hp. Lexus has to know that the bulk of the performance enthusiast won't be able to afford this. The real question will be what the increase in price is. I say a 25K bump at least.
Den
  • Den
    Den
  • February 27, 2017
600-hp LC F coming.... :neutral:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/scoop-600-hp-lexus-lc-f-coming-this-fall/?src=socialflowFB
Den
  • Den
    Den
  • February 27, 2017
600-hp LC F coming.... :neutral:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/scoop-600-hp-lexus-lc-f-coming-this-fall/?src=socialflowFB
Den
  • Den
    Den
  • February 27, 2017
600-hp LC F coming.... :neutral:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/scoop-600-hp-lexus-lc-f-coming-this-fall/?src=socialflowFB
krew
krew [​IMG]

Packed with 600 horsepower.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

Packed with 600 horsepower.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

Packed with 600 horsepower.
View the original article post
A
I predict they going to tune the current 5liter v8 in the LC for higher power. There is a lot of power to be had in this 5liter without the use of turbo. If they use turbos this would mean an LC500 would still sound better then an LCF
A
I predict they going to tune the current 5liter v8 in the LC for higher power. There is a lot of power to be had in this 5liter without the use of turbo. If they use turbos this would mean an LC500 would still sound better then an LCF
A
I predict they going to tune the current 5liter v8 in the LC for higher power. There is a lot of power to be had in this 5liter without the use of turbo. If they use turbos this would mean an LC500 would still sound better then an LCF
L
Regarding the Tokyo show not being the most likely venue,there's also a rumour that Toyota will show a production ready FT-1 (Supra),a near production ready S-FR and the next Auris/Corolla including a 250hp sports version,and Lexus might hold off on the LC F to not have all these performance models fighting for attention.
L
Regarding the Tokyo show not being the most likely venue,there's also a rumour that Toyota will show a production ready FT-1 (Supra),a near production ready S-FR and the next Auris/Corolla including a 250hp sports version,and Lexus might hold off on the LC F to not have all these performance models fighting for attention.
L
Regarding the Tokyo show not being the most likely venue,there's also a rumour that Toyota will show a production ready FT-1 (Supra),a near production ready S-FR and the next Auris/Corolla including a 250hp sports version,and Lexus might hold off on the LC F to not have all these performance models fighting for attention.
L
Lexus LC and BMW i8 are the most interesting "sportscars" on sale IMO.


The I4+I4=V8 thing is interesting. That is how TMC got the V8 Diesel. Makes me wonder what the new Land Cruiser will get? V8 Diesel? V8 Gasoline? V6 Diesel? V6 Gasoline Hybrid? V6 Diesel Hybrid?
L
Lexus LC and BMW i8 are the most interesting "sportscars" on sale IMO.


The I4+I4=V8 thing is interesting. That is how TMC got the V8 Diesel. Makes me wonder what the new Land Cruiser will get? V8 Diesel? V8 Gasoline? V6 Diesel? V6 Gasoline Hybrid? V6 Diesel Hybrid?
L
Lexus LC and BMW i8 are the most interesting "sportscars" on sale IMO.


The I4+I4=V8 thing is interesting. That is how TMC got the V8 Diesel. Makes me wonder what the new Land Cruiser will get? V8 Diesel? V8 Gasoline? V6 Diesel? V6 Gasoline Hybrid? V6 Diesel Hybrid?
meth.ix
The torque rating is too low for a turbo V8
meth.ix
The torque rating is too low for a turbo V8
meth.ix
The torque rating is too low for a turbo V8
James
Question isn't the GS being cancelled (I know we have a thread on it)? But isn't this saying 550 HP for the next GSF? If there's a next GSF there has to be a Regular GS rt...?!
James
Question isn't the GS being cancelled (I know we have a thread on it)? But isn't this saying 550 HP for the next GSF? If there's a next GSF there has to be a Regular GS rt...?!
James
Question isn't the GS being cancelled (I know we have a thread on it)? But isn't this saying 550 HP for the next GSF? If there's a next GSF there has to be a Regular GS rt...?!
CIF
  • CIF
    CIF
  • February 27, 2017
Yeah that story doesn't pass the smell test to me. Too many things that don't make sense. First of all, yes the stated torque figure is way too low for a twin turbo V8. Secondly two 8AR engines joined together? That makes no sense. The 8AR engine is certainly not a Lexus-worthy or Lexus-like engine. For evidence, look at various Lexus NX owners complaining about lack of refinement from the engine. So two 8ARs joined together, no matter with how much modification, IMO will not produce a Lexus-worthy engine. If this actually does end up being true, it will be shocking and VERY disappointing.

C