Daily Slideshow: SEMA Special Lexus LC560 is the Mean Brother

All In

The LFA may be history but it wasn’t a fluke. Lexus doesn’t do flukes. Soon after the LC 500 was presented at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in January of 2016, Lexus set about to prove that they are in the performance business to stay, and so the creation of a racing-inspired version of the LC500 was set into motion. Lexus enlisted Gordon Ting and Beyond Marketing to bring the concept to life. They also brought in Evasive Motorsports for the body, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, and interior, along with Hard Media, Inc. and DSport Magazine to tackle the engine. A pre-production LC500 was made available to the builders with the goal of completing the car in time to make the 2016 SEMA show. 

>>Join the conversation about SEMA Special Lexus LC560 right here in ClubLexus forum!

Bones

The SEMA car team couldn't have asked for a better platform to start with. The new, low, and wide LC chassis was engineered to be even stiffer than the LFA, made possible through the extensive use of high-strength steel. A version of the 2UR-GSE 5.0-liter V8 engine found in Lexus's RC F and GS F models powers the LC. It reflects up-to-the-minute tech, including 6-bolt mains, titanium valves, dual variable valve timing, intake cam actuation, and a dual-length intake manifold. The cylinder head was designed in conjunction with specialists from Yamaha, and with a stratospheric 12.3:1 compression ratio, the engine puts out 471 horsepower. The team had the work of bettering those stats cut out for them. 

>>Join the conversation about SEMA Special Lexus LC560 right here in ClubLexus forum!

Skin

Taichi Tango of Artisan Spirits sketched out his first designs for the LC's aero mods the old fashioned way—by hand. As soon as a vehicle was available, 3D scans were made and the drawings were transferred to the computer model. The bodywork modifications (fender flares, side skirts, front and rear diffusers, and a rear wing) were produced in kit form and fitted to the Lexus. But by the time the final adjustments were made, the timeline was too short for paintwork to be done, so it was decided to wrap the LC. Signature Autobody prepped the car for the Avery Dennison Gloss Yellow wrap, and from a distance, it's tough to tell it's not painted. 

>>Join the conversation about SEMA Special Lexus LC560 right here in ClubLexus forum!

Muscle

DSport's first impulse was to go down the traditional path to more power and add headers and hotter cams. But the fit of the engine and the time and expertise required to develop and complete the changes forced them down the oldest road of them all—more cubes. They felt the rods needed to be beefed up as well. So, in addition to machining the block for larger-bore sleeves, they fit Carrillo rods to the new, larger CP pistons. The larger bore required a modified head gasket and metallic O-rings to keep that high compression where it belonged. Magnus Ohlaker, a 20-year veteran of F1 and IndyCar engine builds, performed the work. The larger cylinder bore (now 99.5mm, up from the original 94mm) resulted in a displacement of 5.6 liters and upped the horsepower rating to 525. There's no replacement for displacement, even on a Lexus. 

>>Join the conversation about SEMA Special Lexus LC560 right here in ClubLexus forum!

Balance

With the aerodynamics and engine both upgraded, attention turned to the suspension. A Hydraulic Lift System from KW Suspension, with adjustable springs, took care of that department. The LC560 features 22-inch satin charcoal HRE P101 wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero Nero tires, and custom-color Bembo brakes haul the car down from speed— or just look good sitting there. Evasive Motorsports installed carbon fiber Sparco racing seats, as well as a safety cage and interior of their own design. The project not only directly spawned the first body kit for the LC500, it also shows that Lexus is committed to a performance future, and that's a future we can get behind. 

>>Join the conversation about SEMA Special Lexus LC560 right here in ClubLexus forum!

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