An interview with a LC250 engineer responsible for front and rear suspension design. Summary of LC250 platform vs. LC300:
>> The completely new parts are the front and rear crash structures. The goal is to minimize overhang while still passing crash tests.
>> Frame panel thickness reduced by 10% and suspension component thickness reduced by 5-10%. They were able to reduce as much weight as possible while keeping frame rigidity the same.
Depending on how you look at it: the F2 platform is a more optimized F1 platform with minimum possible overhang and minimum possible weight, OR a decontented F1 platform with less margins and growth potential.
They surely did a very impressive job with weight reduction. The LC250 2.4T hybrid only weighs 2285kg with a GVM of 3050kg. The LC150 2.8 turbodiesel weighs 2390kg with a GVM of 2990kg. They reduced kerb weight by 105kg while increasing payload by 165kg. The LC250 is also the same size and capability as the LC100, but weighs less despite all the modern interior tech, safety systems, and a hybrid powertrain.
