Lexus LC and RC sports cars to merge

Lexus will consolidate its high-performance sports coupe duo – the Lexus LC and Lexus RC – into one model, according to a report today by Best Car, which also published these two speculative renders of the all-new luxury coupe.

The respected Japanese media outlet is also reporting that the move might sound the death knell for the premium brand’s V8 engine program by employing a 280kW hybrid V6 powertrain.

It has long been understood that Lexus had developed an AMG-bashing 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for the next-generation Lexus LC, generating up to 450kW of power and 750Nm of torque.

The project was first revealed in a motorsport application by Lexus in late 2019, then later confirmed via patent filings, and rumours persisted that it had been shown to select automotive media under a non-disclosure agreement.

Despite the Japanese luxury brand’s commitment to electrify all of its models by 2030 and to sell only EVs by 2035, the V8 may live on in the Lexus LFR supercar – a road-going development of its parent company’s upcoming Toyota GR GT3 race car.

Best Car has solid sources within Toyota and Lexus and has been on point with intel concerning several future products – including the latest-generation LandCruiser models – and it reckons the new RC- and LC-replacing Lexus coupe will be “…an FR [front engine, rear drive] sports HEV [hybrid electric vehicle]…”

It says engine details are currently unknown or in limbo “…but the current LC’s 3.5-litre V6 hybrid is likely.”

Another potential engine option is the adoption of the twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 hybrid system from the Toyota Tundra pick-up, which pumps out a very healthy 326kW and 790Nm.

Whatever eventuates, the Japanese publication says the new coupe’s powertrain will be (petrol-electric) hybrid – which almost certainly means it won’t be a V8 – and matched exclusively with an automatic transmission.

Set to measure around 4.8 metres long and 1.9 metres wide, the new Lexus sports car does not have a name yet but could retain the LC moniker, given its expected starting price of around $155,000 (¥15 million).

Lexus hasn’t been shy about showing off new EV concepts recently, revealing the mid-size LF-ZC and large LF-ZL electric sedan concepts at the Tokyo motor show last year and, before that, previewing its range-topping electric hypercar with the Electrified Sport concept and next-generation Lexus IS sedan with the HZ concept.

While the current LC two-door and LS limousine remain important halo models for Lexus – whose only other non-SUV models are the new LM people-mover and the ES sedan – the IS sedan, RC coupe and CT hatch were discontinued in Australia due to new side impact regulations in 2021.

Stay tuned for more details.

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