Toyota Files Patents for LC 500 and LC 500h

Since the debut of the Lexus LF-LC, everyone has been wondering if or when we will get the real thing. Now, after a recent patent find, it’s looking like the LF-LC is getting closer and closer to hitting production. 

 

According to AutoEvolution, they found two patents for the upcoming sports coupe and convertible in the US Patent and Trademark Office. Both of which reveal the upcoming nomenclature for the new series. For the production version of the concept, Lexus looks to be dropping the LF and sticking just with the LC nameplate. 

 

Both trademarks were filed by Toyota Motor Corporation and reveal the names LC 500 and LC500h pointing to a hybrid version of the coupe. However, with the LC attempting to go above the new RC F, that hybrid power train might be a bit difficult. 

 

Currently, the most powerful hybrid Lexus make makes 340 horsepower and it’s mated to the company’s 3.5L V6. It’s widely considered that the LC will use some derivation of the 5.0L V8 found in the RC F which would mean Lexus needs to hybridize that engine which could be quite interesting. 

While we did get a load of information just based on these two patent filings, we didn’t get a filing for a LC F. Figuring that the RC F sold out two years worth of cars in the first month in Japan, it will probably get a green light sometime very soon.