SEMA 2016: Lexus makes monster LC 500

Lexus has unveiled a shock customised version of the V8-powered LC 500 coupe.

Created in collaboration with ex-Formula 1 engine guru, Magnus Ohlaker, the LC 500 is said to have been inspired by motorsport and looks like a real GT3 race car in the flesh.

Unusually, unlike any other car-makers showing at SEMA this year, the concept is based on a vehicle that's not yet on sale.

That means the Las Vegas show car had to be developed alongside the development of both the Detroit motor show concept and the forthcoming production car that goes on sale in Australia in 2017.

The aerodynamic upgrades over the close-to-production Detroit motor show concept are comprehensive and look like they were honed in a wind tunnel.

Featuring flared wheel-arches, a front diffuser, side skirts, a huge rear diffuser and subtle rear wing and, even, a pair of small rear ear wings.

The suspension is also all-new. Sourced from KW Suspension, it offers a hydraulic lift system and track-suited height-adjustable springs.

New large 22-inch wheels wrapped with Pirelli P Zero Nero tyres boost grip while engineers have added larger Brembo brakes to increase stopping power.

Inside, the Detroit car's leather-lined interior has been binned for a pair of fixed-back Sparco racer seats. A full GT3-spec roll-cage has also been fitted.

Under the bonnet, former Cosworth F1 engineer Ohlaker has bored-out the standard car's 5.0-litres to 5.6-litres. Using race-spec custom pistons, connecting rods and liners the V8 now revs to 9000rpm and produces at least 40kW more than the standard coupe's 348kW.

Perhaps even more astonishing, while experimenting with the 5.0-litre V8 (codename 2UR-GSE), Ohlaker is confident he can more than double power output - raising the total kilowatts produced by the normally aspirated V8 to more than 700kW.

It's not known if the world's first 10-speed automatic transmission, the LC 500 comes equipped with, could cope with that level of power or torque but it poses the question, with all the work invested in the LC 500 SEMA show car, is Lexus finally plotting a spiritual successor to the sublime LF-A supercar?

In case you need reminding, the LF-A was powered by a screaming 412kW/480Nm 4.8-litre V10, that was claimed to be as responsive as an F1 car and revved to an incredible 9000rpm.

Based around an advanced (back then) carbon-fibre monocoque construction, when the first LF-As arrived in Australia back in 2011, each Ferrari 599-rival cost almost $800,000.