Lexus LC goes racing

Lexus has revealed a wild race car based on the LC 500 Coupe that goes on sale in Australia next year.

Set to replace the RC F Coupe as the Japanese luxury brand's representative in Japan's Super GT500 series during the next year, the LC 500 racer is based on the large 2+2-seat road car of the same name that will be launched overseas in December.

However, while LC 500 production car will come equipped with the same 348kW/530Nm 5.0-litre V8 that powers the RC F and GS F (plus a world-first 10-speed automatic transmission supplied by Aisin), the race car will be powered by a 2.0-litre direct-injection four-cylinder turbocharged engine driving through a six-speed sequential gearbox.

That said, it will also weigh significantly less than the showroom model, for which Lexus claims 0-100km/h acceleration in 4.5 seconds but states no kerb weight figure, with a minimum weight of 1020kg for the Super GT500 category.

Measuring 4960mm long, 1950mm wide, just 1220mm high and riding on a 2750mm wheelbase, the LC 500 race car's wild bodywork incorporates pumped wheel-arch fenders, muscular skirts, a large rear spoiler and diffuser, and multiple vents for downforce and heat extraction.

Although it was "originally designed as a grand touring coupe", Lexus says the LC 500 is "readily adaptable for racing with fitment of the enhanced aerodynamic package, weight reduction measures and race-spec powertrain".

Lexus says testing of the race car is expected to start next month before the LC 500 makes its competition debut in the Japanese series.

Meantime, Lexus has confirmed its new four-seat production flagship will be available to Australians in 2017, but is yet to confirm local availability of the LC 500h, the petrol-electric powertrain in which produces 264kW/348Nm.

Both the LC road and race car are believed to be based on Lexus' new Global Architecture Luxury (GA-L) platform for all future front-engined, rear-drive models – including the Toyota-owned premium brand's long-overdue new LS limousine.