chromedome

Crappy hybrid? Don't think so. A 400hp hybrid with decent fuel economy would be great because no one else competes in that space. The BMW i8 is above $120k and that has a weedy turbo triple.

A crappy hybrid would be an RC300h, unfortunately. That's an RC with the ES/GS 2.5 liter hybrid drivetrain which is very efficient but doesn't belong in a sports coupe.

RNM GS3

SC430 was one of the finest made cars in its time with some of the best quality materials, it was also super reliable.
It sold horribly and was discontinued altogether.

The competition these days is much more intense - a luxury coupe that is $100k+ needs to have serious POWER, amazing styling, and great interior to gain traction.
Personally I think Lexus is making a big mistake putting a weak V8 in it and having hybrid available. By the time this thing is out - BMW will have its updated 6 ready to go and new 8 series. MB will have Sclass coupe, SL, and base AMG GT sports car. Lets also not forget about Porsche and its 911.

Way too many cool cars out there in 100k+ range, Lexus should keep this thing at 70-90k imo for it to sell.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Most folks won't have a 650i, it'll be the volume driven I6 640i model.

webra

Looking at recent Lexus offerings it's pretty clear to me they are skipping the top performance echelon altogether, in every class they compete in. They did make some effort to make the cars look fast. The only area they lead over other makes is in Hybrids, and that doesn't seem competitive at all compared to what the Euros are now offering, so that advantage is ebbing away.

Neither performance over reliability or limiting performance to ensure reliability makes a winner. So maybe the real performance flagship is reserved for the Toyota Supra?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think the lc500 will be priced pretty well (or i should say reasonable).

the lc500h on the other hand, i don't think its performance and price will match

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I wonder if the LC500h will be capable of consistent mid 30's mpg, considering the GS450h does 29/34/31. I had one for a week and got a consistent 29mpg in real world driving. Pretty solid for 338hp. The LC500h will have 354hp + multi speed transmission.

unc879wins

Couple things I noticed in recent pics of the LC500. The wheel gap is there. The wheels don't look as wide as they should be for that wide body frame. Maybe it was the angle of the photos. Looking forward to more specs, build options, and pricing.

I own a USB RCFsport and that blue is amazing. It's like looking into a pool of the bluest ink. However, that infrared on the LC looks amazing.

situman

I don't understand the hybrid model at this 6 figure price level. Do people that can afford cars at this price range truly care about fuel economy? I would think outright performance is what they are paying for. At that price, power and performance level it just doesnt seem right. It will surely be a technological wonder, but if the performance isn't there, so what? No one buys a sports car to save fuel. Hopefully these two are just base models with a midrange V6TT and V8TT F model to enhance it.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

No. Surely you don't.

It's about tech. It's about build quality.

Like the NSX. Or a Panamera hybrid.

Effecient power, not maximum power.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

29 for a GS450h isn't that impressive to me considering i get 22 in real world driving also in my 295HP 3.6L non-hybrid non-direct-injected 4700lb jeep brick of an SUV.

all the high end exotics are now going hybrid for the instant torque and power boost. in cars that aren't known for cargo space, adding batteries and a motor is a big win.
but lexus has had very confused and very minimal 'messaging' over time with hybrids... is it for efficiency, for fuel economy, for the environment, for smoothness, or performance? lexus might just say 'yes' but i don't think they've had much messaging at all to make people spring the extra 5-10k for a hybrid lexus.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The first generation was rated at 22/25/23 (342hp). Real world driving was almost spot on at 23mpg from my experiences. So high 20's low 30's is a pretty consistent improvement, and this new 354hp hybrid + multi-speed transmission should improve both efficiency and performance. The addition of fixed gears in the multi stage system allows the gas engine to stay shut off up to wheel speeds of 87mph vs 62mph in the GS450h set-up. I've heard through the grapevine that the LC500h at a minimum will net 31/37mpg. This'll likely be the most engaging hybrid from Lexus to date

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

but it gets back to situman's point - high mpg for an expensive 'non-utility' sporty vehicle is irrelevant to most buyers. if you're gonna get the lc500 for great mileage you might as well get a tesla and go all the way.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

The efficiency is an added benefit, which gets back to PhilipMSPT's point,

The build quality and craftsmanship will be superb on this LC. Quality the Tesla no matter how big a battery or how big a screen they put in it, can touch.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

no doubt (on second point), but i think efficiency to save a few $100 a year is pretty irrelevant to the buyer.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Agree, very irrelevant to someone spending six figures. That said the LC500 will no doubt be the hoot to drive, well that and an F variant if that ever comes to fruition. The LC500h will likely fade quickly into the background like the LSh and GSh, but it will be a display of technology and lays the groundwork for future Lexus hybrids. Ideally the 3.5 and MSS combination will trickle down the product line.