Is a Production Lexus LF-LC (Finally) Coming in January?
According to reports, one of the most beloved sports car concepts will become reality at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.
The Lexus SC 430 was a dud. Flat, tired, overwrought. Few mourned when it died in 2010 following a nine-year production run. But the SC’s replacement, the LF-LC Concept? Different story entirely. That thing stole the Detroit show in 2012, a certified hit. Lexus said it’d be go-to-go circa 2016, but the ambitious front-engine, rear-drive coupe has languished in pre-production hell since. No more, apparently. Reports are surfacing that Toyota’s luxury arm will unveil a ready-to-build version of the LF-LC, dubbed LC 500, at January’s North American International Auto Show.
Early word is that the LC will come in both hybrid and all-motor flavors—the former utilizing the RC F’s 5-liter naturally-aspirated V8, the latter a fresh 3.6-liter hybrid V6. Both are reportedly hitched to an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission supplied by Aisin. Engine output? Roundabout 450 horsepower, in both 500 and 500h trim. The same report says that Lexus has hinted at an LC F, slated to pack a 4-liter, twin-turbo V8 for roughly 600 hp.
The story comes from Aussie website Motoring.au, which has a hit-and-miss track record with its sources. The specific power outputs, in particular, reek of conjecture. That said: Lexus’ plan is to debut a new model every year until 2020; considering that Bentley, Jaguar and Tesla are all skipping next year’s NAIS, rolling out a production LC out in Detroit makes sense. It’s also worth mentioning that, whenever it debuts, the 500h will likely feature Toyota’s next-generation hybrid system, which has implications across the model range, including the future Prius. So, yeah, this one’s certainly worth keeping an eye on.
