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The Lexus RC sports car is getting fairly long in the tooth, having been on sale for nearly a decade. The more elegant LC is also getting older, though it is aging far nicer than its 2017 release would suggest. Nonetheless, a new report from Japan suggests that Lexus intends to replace both vehicles with a single coupe model.
According to sources obtained by Best Car, Lexus plans to mimic Mercedes's strategy by cutting its coupe and convertible lineup down to one offering. The new model will lean closer to the LC in terms of size, while dropping the 5.0 liter V8 engine altogether. The current naturally-aspirated powertrain, currently found under the hood of the track-oriented RC F and non-hybrid LC 500, could be replaced by an upgraded version of the 3.4 liter twin-turbocharged V6 that debuted on the latest Lexus GX and Toyota Tundra.
Power will be sent from that V6 to the rear wheels only, channeling through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive might become available later, but will not be offered initially.
While there are a lot of big changes in store for this new Lexus coupe, that's not to say there won't be any similarities. It will follow the existing RC and LC in featuring a 2+2 seating layout, and in order to make for a fitting LC replacement, a convertible variant will very likely go on sale alongside the coupe. We also wouldn't be surprised to see a sportier F-branded version down the road, serving as a nod to the RC.
The report didn't speak of pricing, but the current Lexus LC coupe starts at $98,450, while the smaller RC charges only $44,770. We would safely predict that the successor to these models will lean closer in price to the LC.
Image Credits: Lexus
Report
Mar 21, 2024
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Lexus RC and LC To Be Replaced By Single Model With Twin-Turbo V6
The new model will continue to feature 2+2 seating and will be closer in size to the LC.
The Lexus RC sports car is getting fairly long in the tooth, having been on sale for nearly a decade. The more elegant LC is also getting older, though it is aging far nicer than its 2017 release would suggest. Nonetheless, a new report from Japan suggests that Lexus intends to replace both vehicles with a single coupe model.
According to sources obtained by Best Car, Lexus plans to mimic Mercedes's strategy by cutting its coupe and convertible lineup down to one offering. The new model will lean closer to the LC in terms of size, while dropping the 5.0 liter V8 engine altogether. The current naturally-aspirated powertrain, currently found under the hood of the track-oriented RC F and non-hybrid LC 500, could be replaced by an upgraded version of the 3.4 liter twin-turbocharged V6 that debuted on the latest Lexus GX and Toyota Tundra.
Power will be sent from that V6 to the rear wheels only, channeling through an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive might become available later, but will not be offered initially.
While there are a lot of big changes in store for this new Lexus coupe, that's not to say there won't be any similarities. It will follow the existing RC and LC in featuring a 2+2 seating layout, and in order to make for a fitting LC replacement, a convertible variant will very likely go on sale alongside the coupe. We also wouldn't be surprised to see a sportier F-branded version down the road, serving as a nod to the RC.
The report didn't speak of pricing, but the current Lexus LC coupe starts at $98,450, while the smaller RC charges only $44,770. We would safely predict that the successor to these models will lean closer in price to the LC.
Image Credits: Lexus
