Daily Slideshow: A Sneak Peek of the Top Secret LC F

Two and Two Together

There will be an F edition of the Lexus LC. How can we be so certain? Is it because the thing about rumors is that they don’t start for no reason and if there's a ton of them then they surely must be true? Nope, it's because Lexus makes F models. F is Lexus's performance brand and The LC is Lexus's performance flagship. But don't take our word for it alone—as the then head of Lexus Australia told that country's portal Car Advice in 2016: "Given that we have an RC F and GS F, you could speculate that an LC F might be on the cards." In response to rumors published by Jalopnik in January, a Lexus spokesman gave the very Lexus-like statement: "While the idea of having an LC Convertible or LC F is exciting, we have nothing to announce at this time." Real luxury brands don't hype, they just deliver.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LC F right here in ClubLexus forum!

F for Future

What would all this opportunity cost? Motor1’s anonymous source said late last year to expect a price of around 20 million yen ($176,200 US Dollars at the time the quote was given, $188,600 by today's exchange rates), which would put an LC F squarely in AMG GT, Aston, and Bentley territory. Of course, the LC500 already has a progressive and sporty design, as evident in the image above, but Club Lexus has exclusive new shots of what the high-performance LC F is going to look like for your viewing pleasure.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LC F right here in ClubLexus forum!

F Style

Taking into account what we saw Lexus do with the RC F, noting the Lexus-approved modifications on the LC560 SEMA special, and stirring in a sprinkle of design studio magic reveals the LC F you see on these pages. A higher-performing engine option (more on that in a minute) and upgraded brakes mean moving more air through larger intakes and vents on the front and sides of the car. Likewise, wider wheels and tires will dictate wider, meaner-looking fenders. We think Lexus's functional ductwork rivals that of any other vehicles in their market segments. Be honest—who doesn't want a hood scoop and gill-like fender vents on their LC 500? 

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LC F right here in ClubLexus forum!

F Power

One criticism that's been leveled at the LC500 is that the 471 horsepower delivered by its 5.0 liter V-8 isn't tempting tire kickers away from more powerful competition from Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Aston Martin, and Bentley. That could all change if "an unnamed Lexus insider" is to be believed. Motor1, repeating reports published in a magazine called either Holiday Auto, or Lawrence Motorcycle X Car, quotes the insider as saying that the LC F would be powered by a 4.0 liter biturbo V-8 putting out a respectable 621 horsepower. It's that 621 horsepower (not 620) that makes us believe them, that and the fact that tapping a smaller, twin-turbocharged engine to produce the power expected in top models follows industry trends. That same source states the new Lexus would cut mass through the extensive use of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers, for a 7 percent reduction in weight—putting the LC F at around 3,980 pounds. Combined, those efforts could make an F-model LC a feasible alternative to the AMG S63, Aston Martin DB11, Bentley Continental GT, and especially the upcoming BMW M8.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LC F right here in ClubLexus forum!

Drop Top F?

Another arena Lexus wants a player in is the convertible market, something to compete with the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster and the Audi R8 Spyder. Lexus revealed an interest in the idea of a topless luxury car in 2014 with the LF-C2 Concept, but any plans were shelved while the company put its efforts into the vital SUV segment. Yoshihiro Sawa, president of Lexus International told Auto Express: "I hope that we will have a convertible in the near future. We know the luxury market requires a convertible." We now have new information from an "inside source at the company." The source told Auto Express that a convertible LC is a "done deal," and gave a timeline of 18-24 months. As for an LC F, president Sawa said, "We are studying many possibilities and more power is another candidate. It’s not decided yet but in my mind, a high-performance LC is a good opportunity." 

So you've got a little less than two years to save up for an LC F-model, but don't get caught sleeping—the LC F name has been trademarked in Europe already. Like we said, Lexus is too busy dotting 'i's and crossing 't's to hype their F.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus LC F right here in ClubLexus forum!

To keep your Lexus on the road and running right check out the How-to section of ClubLexus.