Rumor Suggests That the LC F Has Sadly Been Cancelled
After years of hearing about the development of the LC F, a new report suggests that it won't be happening, after all.
Cancelled?
Essentially since the day we learned the Lexus LC was coming, rumors have persisted that a twin-turbo, V8-powered LC F would eventually follow. Those rumors were cemented by the fact that Lexus actually built a twin-turbo V8-powered LC racer, though those efforts were recently delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, if a rumor from Japanese site Carsensor is to be believed, the LC F might have already been canceled altogether.
Photos: Club Lexus
Much Potential
According to the report, Lexus is killing off the LC F project because of economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic. If true, this is some sobering news after we first saw the car out testing as far back as two years ago. The LC F was positioned to be a range-topping halo model for Lexus, a competitor to the BMW M8 Competition, and likely the fastest Lexus ever built.
Photos: Club Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the LC F perhaps just being delayed right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Tough to Justify
A project like this is tough for automotive manufacturers to justify to the bean counters, however. The LC is already a low-volume product, and dedicated manpower and financial resources to such a niche vehicle would be difficult in times like these. However, one has to believe that things will eventually get better, and there is a possibility that at least part of this project will live on.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the LC F perhaps just being delayed right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Testing Stages
Lexus previously said that its newly-developed 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 would be used "on future road cars such as sports cars." And we know that the engine is essentially in the final stages of development since Lexus was planning on testing it in its race cars at this year’s Nurburgring 24 Hours.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the LC F perhaps just being delayed right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Various Platforms
Carsensor's report claims that Lexus will continue to develop the new V8 and that it may see use in Lexus SUVs as well as large Toyota pickups in North America. The engine could also land in the Lexus LC 500 as a replacement for the existing 5.0-liter V8, albeit in a slightly detuned nature compared to the planned LC F version.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the LC F perhaps just being delayed right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Changing Reputation
The latter move would make a lot of sense, as it would allow the LC to compete with more dedicated performance grand touring machines. The current LC 500 isn't exactly what anyone would call fast or powerful, merely adequate, so the addition of this new mill could go a long way in helping it change that reputation.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the LC F perhaps just being delayed right here in the ClubLexus forum.
Keep Waiting
Regardless, this is highly disappointing news for Lexus fans who have been pining for a high-performance flagship since the days of the LFA. For now, at least, it seems like we'll just have to keep waiting for a world-beating Lexus product to emerge.
Photos: Lexus
>>Join the conversation about the LC F perhaps just being delayed right here in the ClubLexus forum.
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