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
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.
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.
mikeavelli
Audis 4.0tt can make anywhere from 420-605hp and some with a tune.... it's one hell of an engine. Lexus going this route excites me.

That Audi engine also is very fuel efficient on the highway.

LDEUX
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.
The NSX is a porker at 3800lbs due to all the hybrid tech. We would have a 5000 lbs LC F!
mikeavelli
Audis 4.0tt can make anywhere from 420-605hp and some with a tune.... it's one hell of an engine. Lexus going this route excites me.

That Audi engine also is very fuel efficient on the highway.

LDEUX
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.
The NSX is a porker at 3800lbs due to all the hybrid tech. We would have a 5000 lbs LC F!
mikeavelli
Audis 4.0tt can make anywhere from 420-605hp and some with a tune.... it's one hell of an engine. Lexus going this route excites me.

That Audi engine also is very fuel efficient on the highway.

LDEUX
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.
The NSX is a porker at 3800lbs due to all the hybrid tech. We would have a 5000 lbs LC F!
Madi
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...?!
No, as I said before,,, those three cars : IS , GS and LS will never be canceled. And if we talk about the GS especially its just a Luxury version of Toyota MARK X, so as well as the Mark X exists the GS will never be canceled.
Madi
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...?!
No, as I said before,,, those three cars : IS , GS and LS will never be canceled. And if we talk about the GS especially its just a Luxury version of Toyota MARK X, so as well as the Mark X exists the GS will never be canceled.
Madi
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...?!
No, as I said before,,, those three cars : IS , GS and LS will never be canceled. And if we talk about the GS especially its just a Luxury version of Toyota MARK X, so as well as the Mark X exists the GS will never be canceled.
mikeavelli
Madi
No, as I said before,,, those three cars : IS , GS and LS will never be canceled. And if we talk about the GS especially its just a Luxury version of Toyota MARK X, so as well as the Mark X exists the GS will never be canceled.
That is a pretty good point...it still all stems to the media and internet trolls taking one misquoted sentence from Akio and turning it into something else. Akio told his engineers when driving the current GS the first time if that is the best they can do, then just cancel the car. It never was seriously on the chopping block. Trolls ran with it.

The current GS is the best selling generation ever.
mikeavelli
Madi
No, as I said before,,, those three cars : IS , GS and LS will never be canceled. And if we talk about the GS especially its just a Luxury version of Toyota MARK X, so as well as the Mark X exists the GS will never be canceled.
That is a pretty good point...it still all stems to the media and internet trolls taking one misquoted sentence from Akio and turning it into something else. Akio told his engineers when driving the current GS the first time if that is the best they can do, then just cancel the car. It never was seriously on the chopping block. Trolls ran with it.

The current GS is the best selling generation ever.
mikeavelli
Madi
No, as I said before,,, those three cars : IS , GS and LS will never be canceled. And if we talk about the GS especially its just a Luxury version of Toyota MARK X, so as well as the Mark X exists the GS will never be canceled.
That is a pretty good point...it still all stems to the media and internet trolls taking one misquoted sentence from Akio and turning it into something else. Akio told his engineers when driving the current GS the first time if that is the best they can do, then just cancel the car. It never was seriously on the chopping block. Trolls ran with it.

The current GS is the best selling generation ever.
L
  • L
    LDEUX
  • February 28, 2017
This I've gotta see (LC-F). I think there something fishy with the GS-F rumor though. When have you seen Lexus or any other manufacturer switch the motor in the same generation of the car? I don't mean adding another option (e.g. 2.0L turbo and 3.5L V6), I mean getting rid of the 2UR-GSE that's currently in the GS-F for this new TT V8. And if this is true, the RC-F has officially become the red-headed step child of the F lineup. Poor thing.. Lexus sure blew that platform (chassis weight), it had sooo much potential.
L
  • L
    LDEUX
  • February 28, 2017
This I've gotta see (LC-F). I think there something fishy with the GS-F rumor though. When have you seen Lexus or any other manufacturer switch the motor in the same generation of the car? I don't mean adding another option (e.g. 2.0L turbo and 3.5L V6), I mean getting rid of the 2UR-GSE that's currently in the GS-F for this new TT V8. And if this is true, the RC-F has officially become the red-headed step child of the F lineup. Poor thing.. Lexus sure blew that platform (chassis weight), it had sooo much potential.
L
  • L
    LDEUX
  • February 28, 2017
This I've gotta see (LC-F). I think there something fishy with the GS-F rumor though. When have you seen Lexus or any other manufacturer switch the motor in the same generation of the car? I don't mean adding another option (e.g. 2.0L turbo and 3.5L V6), I mean getting rid of the 2UR-GSE that's currently in the GS-F for this new TT V8. And if this is true, the RC-F has officially become the red-headed step child of the F lineup. Poor thing.. Lexus sure blew that platform (chassis weight), it had sooo much potential.
Den
:pensive: Lexus denies rumor of LC F....

http://www.thedrive.com/news/7962/lexus-denies-rumor-of-new-600-horsepower-lexus-lc-f

Who will tell the truth?! :confused:
Den
:pensive: Lexus denies rumor of LC F....

http://www.thedrive.com/news/7962/lexus-denies-rumor-of-new-600-horsepower-lexus-lc-f

Who will tell the truth?! :confused:
Den
:pensive: Lexus denies rumor of LC F....

http://www.thedrive.com/news/7962/lexus-denies-rumor-of-new-600-horsepower-lexus-lc-f

Who will tell the truth?! :confused:
Gecko
Here is the exact quote:

"We’ve been reading stories about an LC F supposedly debuting in Tokyo as well, and I can tell you that it is not true," the Lexus spokesperson said over email.

To me, that just means the car isn't debuting in Tokyo. LC F is happening.
Gecko
Here is the exact quote:

"We’ve been reading stories about an LC F supposedly debuting in Tokyo as well, and I can tell you that it is not true," the Lexus spokesperson said over email.

To me, that just means the car isn't debuting in Tokyo. LC F is happening.
Gecko
Here is the exact quote:

"We’ve been reading stories about an LC F supposedly debuting in Tokyo as well, and I can tell you that it is not true," the Lexus spokesperson said over email.

To me, that just means the car isn't debuting in Tokyo. LC F is happening.
James
Gecko
Here is the exact quote:

"We’ve been reading stories about an LC F supposedly debuting in Tokyo as well, and I can tell you that it is not true," the Lexus spokesperson said over email.

To me, that just means the car isn't debuting in Tokyo. LC F is happening.
I agree. Hell does anyone care where it comes out at as long as it comes out?! And soonish!
James
Gecko
Here is the exact quote:

"We’ve been reading stories about an LC F supposedly debuting in Tokyo as well, and I can tell you that it is not true," the Lexus spokesperson said over email.

To me, that just means the car isn't debuting in Tokyo. LC F is happening.
I agree. Hell does anyone care where it comes out at as long as it comes out?! And soonish!
James
Gecko
Here is the exact quote:

"We’ve been reading stories about an LC F supposedly debuting in Tokyo as well, and I can tell you that it is not true," the Lexus spokesperson said over email.

To me, that just means the car isn't debuting in Tokyo. LC F is happening.
I agree. Hell does anyone care where it comes out at as long as it comes out?! And soonish!
krew
krew [​IMG]

The horsepower will have to wait.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

The horsepower will have to wait.
View the original article post
krew
krew [​IMG]

The horsepower will have to wait.
View the original article post
meth.ix
I feel like the real LC F is going to look a lot more different from the RC F and the GS F in styling. All these renderings use the same cues that were used in converting the regular model to F, but I feel like the LC F is going to be more unique since it is a flagship and the designing is too similar.
meth.ix
I feel like the real LC F is going to look a lot more different from the RC F and the GS F in styling. All these renderings use the same cues that were used in converting the regular model to F, but I feel like the LC F is going to be more unique since it is a flagship and the designing is too similar.
meth.ix
I feel like the real LC F is going to look a lot more different from the RC F and the GS F in styling. All these renderings use the same cues that were used in converting the regular model to F, but I feel like the LC F is going to be more unique since it is a flagship and the designing is too similar.
PeterF
Thanks for the posts. I also would certainly expect more than 600 HP. a TTV8 sounds like a good option, not as pricey as a V10. Perhaps offer 2 engine options (V8 and V10), but there may not be a large enough market to allow for 2 engine options. To say that this car looks exciting is an understatement, but i agree that orange calipers would really top it off! Clearly Lexus has a number of goodies up their sleeves.

P