The Lexus LC F doesn’t exist, but we think it should

The Lexus LC 500 is one of the finest grand tourers you can buy from a showroom in 2021. But, wrapped up in its superb design, exquisite fit and finish, and endearing 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine is a level of performance and dynamics that remains at arms length.

Not to say it’s a poor driving machine – quite the opposite – but there’s certainly scope for some additional focus, and certainly remains in the lengthy shadow of its legendary predecessor the LFA.

Enter the Lexus LC F: a hardcore performance focused flagship to reiterate that there’s more to the Lexus brand than growing old gracefully.

The idea of a performance LC isn’t new, with an F variant being reported as both dead and alive simultaneously. What is known is that Lexus got as far as building a race-ready prototype 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that was set to compete at the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

5

Illustration: Theophilus Chin

It would be a production version of this engine that would power the LC F to the tune of 490kW and 650Nm. Gear selection will be taken care of by a heavily updated 10-speed automatic. A new torque converter would be installed, along with tweaked ratios, and additional cooling to ensure the LC F is up to the task of regular serious track use.

Restyled bumpers with new aggressive openings help feed air into the necessary intercoolers to stop the LC F getting too hot under the collar. Front and rear bumper redesigns help improve aerodynamics, while a fixed rear spoiler boosts downforce in high-speed settings. Lashings of carbon fibre play their part in making a dint in the LC’s not-inconsiderable kerb weight.

Sending the power to the rear wheels exclusively would differentiate the LC F from rivals like the BMW M8 and Jaguar F-Type R – neither of which can match the Japanese coupe on grunt either. The rear-drive layout would make the LC F a fierce driver’s car, honed and fine tuned at parent company Toyota’s ‘mini-Nürburgring’ Shimoyama proving ground.

5

A regular Lexus LC 500

Helping bring the underlying talent of the LC’s TNGA-L platform to the fore are a raft of mechanical changes under the skin. Double-wishbone suspension complement damper settings retuned to better suit performance driving, with a cast aluminium subframe to lower overall mass.

An updated torque-vectoring differential would be installed on the rear axle, paired with a new version of Lexus’ Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system. Features such as drift assist, race ESC, and multi-stage traction control would all be standard, along with traditional performance additions such as lap times and g-meters.

Want to play fantasy product planner with us? Send your best ideas to MOTOR@aremedia.com.au

5

How We’d Build It

01. Who you Gonna Call?

Lexus and Yamaha are a match made in heaven. The new twin-snail V8 will be no different, with the team at Yamaha brought in to fettle everything downstream of the combustion chambers, ensuring the engine sounds as good as the LC looks.

02. Put it in the Bank

Lexus’ new twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 would feature a hot-vee turbocharger set up, which will help with packaging what is already a fairly wide engine. Lexus’ engineers would need to ease the bent-eight further back and lower in the engine bay, giving the LC F a front-mid engined design. To justify development costs, the engine would be repurposed in several other high-performance applications across the Toyota family.

5

03. Natural Weave

Everyone knows carbon fibre makes things faster, with the black weave deployed with great effect through the LC F. However, to supplement Lexus’ traditionally excellent interior material choices, natural fibre weaves will be deployed, highlighted by AmpliTex seat backs.

04. The Green Pack

Paying homage to the LFA before it, and the LC F’s developmental link with the track, a Nürburgring Package would be offered to customers. This would add semi-slick tyres, carbon-ceramic brakes, a larger rear wing, Bilstein dampers, fixed bucket seats, six-point harness, and half cage. Porsche GT3 eat your heart out.

05. No Friends in the Back

Even without the Nürburgring Package, the LC F would be a true two-seater coupe – no 2+2 shenanigans here. Without the grand touring pretence the extra weight of rear seats is unnecessary. Extra kilos will be shed with a reduction in sound deadening. This is a proper sports car, not a grand tourer, remember?