We thought the project was dead and buried. Guess not.
The 2022 Lexus LC 500 is an exceptional grand tourer, but we always believe there was room to sell a more hardcore version. Lexus was reportedly working on a high-performance LC F back in 2019, but cancelled the project to work on something even better: an LFA successor. We thought Lexus had locked up the LC F and thrown away the key, but then the company teased something rather peculiar on its Lexus USA Racing Instagram page.
The account shared a shadowy photo of a car with the caption, “Highest expression of performance.” It’s nearly impossible to tell what car it is due to the darkness, but when we lightened it up a bit, the LC’s stunning profile becomes more recognizable. What the heck is Lexus teasing here?
Lexus Racing USA / Instagram
Lexus Racing USA / Instagram
Judging by the “F” logo in the background, this is some kind of high-performance model from the Lexus F Division. It’s unclear if this is a fully fledged F model like the RC F, or a semi-hot variant like the IS 500 F Sport Performance. Either way, this could be our first hint that a hotter LC (or a different F model) is finally coming. Of course, it is odd that Lexus shared this teaser through its racing account, not the main consumer one. We wondered if this is actually a new race car to replace the RCF GT3, but it doesn’t appear to have nearly enough aero, at least from the teaser.
Not much is clear from the teaser, but we could spot a noticeable power bulge hood. This could indicate a larger engine than the LC’s current 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8. The LC F was rumored to get a new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, but that engine was reportedly scrapped with the rest of the project. Rumors suggested the twin-turbo mill would spit out over 600 horsepower, far more than the 471-hp rating of the current LC 500.
We will keep our eyes peeled for any new information regarding this mystery Lexus F model.
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