Long-Rumored Lexus LC F Isn't Happening, After All

Dead in the Water

For years now, rumors have circled indicating that Lexus was planning on making a high-performance F version of its LC coupe/convertible. This seemed like a no-brainer decision given the fact that the LC lacks a bit in terms of performance, but certainly not in style. Regardless, it seems that the LC F is officially off the table once again, as it reportedly failed to pass Lexus' feasibility study.

Photos: Lexus

Not Feasible

"The LC is a touring car, it's a perfectly balanced, 50/50 weight distribution," Lexus Motorsports Manager Jeffrey Bal told Road & Track in a recent interview. "Rumors are that there was design and study for the LC F... They looked at it and that's not a feasible study for us."

Photos: Lexus

Something Else?

Prior rumors indicated that the LC F would be powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 making somewhere around 600 horsepower, which certainly sounds great to fans. However, it seems that this powerplant simply either threw off the balance of the LC or would have just cost too much to build, though Lexus still has something special planned for the future.

Photos: Lexus

Another Flagship

"The Tokyo Salon concept. We're pretty well down the road in development and really excited, but not at a point yet where we can share a lot of details. The car you saw is very striking, and what we're seeing is going to be close," Bal said, noting that Lexus intends to go GT3 racing with its own version of the recently-revealed GR GT3 concept.

Photos: Lexus

What's Next?

"I think the industry, enthusiasts, and current owners, everyone's asking what's next," Bal said. "We had this incredible car that we built 500 of by hand, a unicorn amongst all the other exotics. There is something that we need to have as a successor to that. By the same token, the IS F and the GS F owners who know there is nothing currently planned as a successor to those, there's a gap between the LFA and the IS, GS, and RC F platforms that these cars have the potential to take a space in."

Photos: Lexus

Performance Counterpart

Bal went on to note that such a product could work much the same way that the Mercedes AMG GT complements the SL - it's a dedicated performance product sold alongside a grand touring machine. As such, the high-performance future Lexus flagship would have the LC as its grand touring counterpart.

Photos: Lexus

Coming Soon?

What's particularly interesting about this conversation with Bal, however, is that R&T notes a prototype LC F might exist, which would be an interesting revelation. Regardless, Bal also stressed that Lexus has some performance additions up its proverbial sleeve, which is good news given the rather sparse number of offerings currently in its lineup.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about the LC F right here at ClubLexus.com.

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