Skip to main content

A Hotter, Hybridized Lexus LC Sports Car May Be Coming in 2018

It was all but assured that Lexus would introduce a more potent version of its concept-like LC sports car, and now, thanks to a trademark application, we are close to having proof.

Toyota recently filed for the name “LC-F” on behalf of its luxury brand, which matches the nomenclature for other high-performance Lexus models like the RC-F, GS-F, and IS-F. In an interview with Autocar last year, Lexus Chief Engineer Koji Sato wouldn’t confirm the company was working on a hotter LC, but admitted its dynamics and powertrain were suited to greater performance.

“Everyone is expecting an F model, but right now we are not sure,” said Sato. “The interesting thing is that Porsche is developing a sports car with electric power, and there is the BMW i8, so maybe a big engine with more power is a little bit heading in the old style. The hybrid model may be an interesting idea. The sudden torque provided by the electric motor is much faster and more unique — and perhaps more interesting for the customer. Lexus is a pioneer of hybrid systems and perhaps we have a role to show that hybrid has more capability now. It would be a unique driving experience, I think. So maybe the LC 500h is the car that would satisfy the requirement for a faster car.”

Sato gives us a pretty nice picture of the LC-F despite his resolution not to pronounce its development. His focus on the hybrid powertrain is of particular interest, especially considering the LC500h (hybrid) sits lower on the performance spectrum than the standard LC500. Paired with a V8 instead of a V6, the LC-F could leapfrog the LC500’s 467 horsepower and 4.5-second sprint to 60 mph.

With the LC500 due later this year, we shouldn’t expect the LC-F sooner than 2018. At launch, the LC-F will challenge the Jaguar F-Type SVR, Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8, and other $100,000-plus supercars.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Miles Branman developed a passion for cars early on thanks to a neighbor’s collection of rare and exotic vehicles. What…
What’s the ideal amount of horsepower for a sports car?
That 700-horsepower car your buddy keeps bragging about isn't the answer
how much horsepower is ideal 2019 dodge challenger srt hellcat redeye widebody charger r t scat pack 5

When Dodge introduced the Challenger SRT Hellcat, it knowingly initiated a horsepower war for practically all modern sporty cars to participate in. Before, it was all about lap times around the Nürburgring. At some level, those lap times still count, but horsepower now reigns supreme. Following in the wake of the Hellcat twins, Ford now offers a Shelby GT500 Mustang that pumps out 760 horsepower and the most powerful car BMW sells is rated at 627 horsepower. Whether you want an SUV, sports car, sedan, or wagon, getting 600 horsepower in a modern car is easier than ever. While you can get a vehicle with enough power to shake a flat-earther’s faith, should you?
Related Reading

Fastest Cars in the World
Best Types of Car Racing

Read more
These are the most reliable cars, according to J.D. Power
Find out who topped J.D. Power's list of most reliable car brands
2023 Lexus RX 500h F Sport front end angle from driver's side parked on the side of the road in front of a cliff.

J.D. Power is back with its annual Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) for 2023 and there’s some good news. The average number of problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) went down to 186, which marks an improvement of 6 PP100 from 2022. The order for the most reliable automakers has changed since last year, and the list of the most reliable cars per segment is, surprisingly, diverse. Unfortunately, luxury brands and American automakers continue to rank as the least reliable brands.
If you’re unfamiliar with JD Power’s annual study, the organization rates new vehicles based on the average number of problems that owners experience per 100 vehicles. J.D. Power assigns scores based on their performance in nine categories: climate; driving assistance; driving experience; exterior; features/controls/displays; infotainment; interior; powertrain; and seats. A higher PP100 score correlates to a vehicle with more issues.

Here are the top 10 most reliable automakers from J.D. Power’s 2023 VDS with their PP100 scores:

Read more
BMW, hybrid cars, and EVs dominate Consumer Reports’ top rankings
It’s the first time BMW has landed in the top spot of Consumer Reports’ rankings
2023 BMW XM

Consumer Reports tests hundreds of vehicles a year and conducts some of the most intensive tests in the industry. Apparently, the organization logs hundreds of thousands of miles on test vehicles annually to help consumers make an educated purchase. Recently, Consumer Reports ranked 32 car brands in its annual Auto Brand Report Card Rankings and, for the first time in the organization’s history, BMW came out on top as having the most reliable cars.
Before we get into the results, here’s how Consumer Reports ranks its vehicles. Each car that Consumer Reports tests gets an Overall Score. The score is based on four factors: reliability, safety, owner satisfaction, and the road test. The predicted reliability score comes from the organization’s survey that's based on 17 problem areas in cars. A safety score is determined by crash-test scores and available safety features, while the owner satisfaction score is based on a survey that’s completed by Consumer Reports' members. Lastly, the road-test score is based on the various tests that the organization puts vehicles through.

BMW topped Consumer Reports brand rankings with an overall score of 81. Subaru (79), Mini (79), Lexus (77), Honda (77), Toyota (76), Genesis (76), Mazda (75), Audi (74), and Kia (73) finish off the top 10. Out of the automakers in the top 10, Genesis made the largest leap, moving up 12 spots compared to last year, while Mazda fell six spots.
“BMW builds many high-performance, full-featured, and reliable models, so it’s not surprising to see it at the top of our brand rankings,” said Jake Fisher, senior director of automotive testing at Consumer Reports. “But non-luxury brands like Subaru, Toyota, and Mazda have also consistently ranked high over the past few years, ensuring that consumers don’t have to sacrifice affordability to get a high-quality car.”
Automakers that did poorly as the least reliable cars in Consumer Reports’ testing include: Land Rover (45), Jeep (46), Jaguar (52), Alfa Romeo (53), Mitsubishi (54), GMC 955), and Mercedes-Benz (56). Chrysler, which finished in 25th place, had the most dramatic drop of any automaker, falling 12 spots compared to last year.

Read more