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Lexus LC 500 gets customized at SEMA before it even goes on sale

We still have to wait until next year for Lexus to start delivering the gorgeous new LC 500 to dealer showrooms, but that little fact didn't stop Lexus from letting people modify it for SEMA. The first LC coupe to get the custom treatment is this bright yellow example modified by Gordon Ting and Beyond Marketing. Prospective LC 500 buyers who want to modify their rides won't have to wait long do start adding these parts to their cars. Because Lexus let these companies develop parts this far in advance, the parts should be available around the same time as the car. On the outside, the LC 500 gets a new Artisan Spirit body kit that consists of a front diffuser, fender flares, side skirts, rear diffuser and rear spoiler. The car also has a lower stance thanks to a kit developed by KW Suspension. It features adjustable springs for ride height, plus a hydraulic lift system to keep the custom body work from scraping. The Lexus rolls on HRE P101 wheels that are stopped by Brembo brakes. The other highlight of this custom Lexus is under the hood. The LC 500 comes with a 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 that's also found in the RC F and GS F. However, the engine development team at Hard Media, Inc. and D SPORT Magazine had the engine rebuilt with CP pistons and Carrillo connecting rods, and it was given new cylinder sleeves from LA Sleeves to increase bore-size. The end result is a 5.6-liter engine making 525 horsepower. According to Lexus, 525 horsepower is far from the limit of this engine, saying that its capabilities could be, and in fact "have been more than doubled." If anyone at Lexus is reading this, we don't doubt the claim, but we'd also be more than happy to see this capability proven. Perhaps at next year's SEMA show? Related Video: Featured Gallery Customized Lexus LC 500: SEMA 2016 View 9 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Aftermarket SEMA Show Lexus Coupe Luxury lexus lc 500 SEMA 2016

Dear rich people, skip the SUVs and big sedans. Buy a coupe!

Pretty much from the first time I drove a Lexus LC, I fell in love with the car (and most of us on staff have similar feelings). And having spent a week recently in a 2022 LC 500h variant, I'm still as fond of it as ever. It is, in many ways, a near perfect grand tourer. It's got stunning good looks (confirmed by various strangers asking about it) with details at home on a concept car. I'll never get tired of the infinity mirror taillights. The interior does the same with leather and suede over nearly every surface and even more styling flair from the grooves in the doors to the floating handles. And finally, it's lovely to drive. Even with the hybrid engine, it's smooth and fairly swift, and the ride and handling are just on the sporty side of comfortable: great to commute in, and happy being pushed a little bit. It's a car that's so good, that I found myself wondering, why aren't there more of them? And I'm not just talking about LCs (even though the LC is so good it really deserves to be selling in massive numbers). Why aren't there more personal luxury coupes and grand tourers? It certainly wasn't always that way. The mid- to late-20th century was the heyday of the luxury coupe. America led the way with enormous Cadillac and Lincoln hardtops with as much sheet metal on either end as it had in the middle. But later in the century, as more luxury automakers jumped in, we got more svelte GT-style cars from BMW (8 Series), Lexus (SC), Acura (Legend) and more. Classy two-door luxury was a thing. But now the number of high-end coupes are dwindling not just in sales, but in offerings. Mercedes killed its S-Class coupe a few years ago, and it's been ages since we've seen anything of the sort from Cadillac, Lincoln and others. Ok, so I literally know why they're not much of a thing anymore, at least to an extent. Coupes just aren't the popular body style. That crown goes to SUVs. Just look at BMW's sales for proof. It sold around 1,400 8 Series models in the first quarter of this year, and that's including convertibles, coupes and the Gran Coupe four-door hatchback. In contrast, it sold more than 6,400 X7s, the effective SUV equivalent to the 7 and 8 Series cars. And I have no doubt that there's more going on than the desire for the big, truck-like shape. There's also the practicality of having an SUV.

Toyota twin-turbo V8 patent unearthed

An unremarkable patent focusing on a minor engine part has revealed that Toyota is at least considering a twin-turbo V8. While the filing is most likely just a large company protecting its intellectual property, it could also be a small glimmer of hope that Toyota, a storied company that's made some glaring missteps with enthusiasts in recent years, can leave the ICE party with a bang for the ages. The patent for a secondary PCV separator, whose function is to isolate exhaust gas from lubricating oil, was discovered by a member of the GR86 forum. In this case, it's not engine oil that's the culprit, but turbocharger oil. From a twin-turbo V8. The patent starts out with an almost embarrassingly hilarious stick figure drawing of a car and where said engine would be located (in the front, under the hood, duh). It has the words "Internal Combustion Engine" printed on a rectangle in case there was any doubt. However, the second figure shows a dual turbo setup nestled in the valley of a V8. It's a prime location for reducing turbo lag and optimizing throttle response (and should necessitate a substantial hood bulge as well). Now, interestingly, the forum member believes this engine will be installed in the next Tundra (and presumably Sequoia), but our own research indicates that the pickup will have a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 under the hood. With all due respect to the GR86 members, we're going to stand by that assertion and cross our fingers that the patent hints at something even better. That would be a high-performance Lexus, possibly an IS F or, if the ICE gods will allow it, an LC F. After all, we have had reports from Japan that a trio of F-cars were coming, including a LS F. It would explain why the 472-horsepower, V8-powered IS 500 was called the Sport Performance instead of full-on IS F. In fact, Lexus reps have promised that the F label would become even more performance oriented. A proper IS F would be a fitting sendoff to Toyota's high-performance V8, but the tested, then reportedly canceled, then reportedly revived LC F would be an even more melodious swan song. The flagship grand tourer could very well allow loyalists to forgive the aforementioned gaffes. Toyota president and noted car guy Akio Toyoda has taken heat for questioning the coming outright ban of ICE sales in his home country of Japan. Perhaps this engine is one of the reasons he's objecting.