Lexus LC News
I asked because someone is saying the new silver FT-1 concept could have just been the old red concept that Toyota took and repainted. And I was like no, I don't think so because I believe we have two LF-LC concepts. So I just wanted to make sure
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 4
From: Sacramento, CA
It is beyond unnerving how this site will casually log someone out of their account and lose what they spent effort in typing correctly, upon submission. 
(Deja vu) Back to what I tried to state nearly an hour ago (before tossing my tablet across the room), though not as clear anymore: Thanks! They've essentially covered the product planning phase, so them needing another 2+ years to barely approve the new body, then spend 3 more years is quite silly to me. Should've been making such plans from early 2012, but they slowed down for a reason I figure. I find it absurd why anyone believes that a concept to production model should take up to 6-7 years, if no underlying reason behind. This is not an LFA II.
How is 4-5 years normal? From the ground up with zero ideas or with existing ideas/production feasible design studies? Concept show cars do not spend more than 6-10 months on average in development. The LF-LC and FT-1 are rarities at 18 months. The former was very telling of a realistic vehicle, with only minor changes needed. The design work spent of the LF-LC, eliminates a needed 18-24 months on the SC project in that area. That will be a total of 72-90 months since inception in May 2010.
The 2006 Camaro Concept entered development in February 2005 and ended development in November. By mid-2007, the production design was frozen and scheduled for February 2009 assembly start-up, later being pushed back to March '09. That's 19-21 months from design sign-off to SOP and incomparable to the SC (to be fair). A total of 48-49 months from concept project start to SOP and 38 months from initial showing.
The 2006 Dodge Challenger Concept was approved in production form that same year and began production in April 2008. The concept project began in early 2004, defined Feb-June 2005, and ended in November 2005. From ideation to production as a concept car in January 2004, to production was 4 years and 3 months. Just 27 months from '06 debut to production start up.
The C7 Corvette interior was approved in June 2010, finalised by the end of 2010. The exterior approved in mid-2010, finalised by January 2011. That delayed due to bankruptcy previously.
Most of them have managed to go from start of their concept development to production within 4 years. The Lexus SC would have required 6-7.5 years, judging by 2017 claims. If time has been wasted on not transforming the show car into a frozen production design within 12-18 months of debut, then clearly it does not help get it closer to launch, if engineers end up chasing moving targets and delaying critical stages (2013 approval = 2015-16 launch vs 2014 approval = 2016-17 launch).
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It's was the economy .Nothing else held this car back. I found this true of all mfg across the board during the 2008 economic crises in every sector of the US. As a company you would rather roll out new models in a good economy than a bad one and while holding it off for seven years is excessive I don't blame them. While I see you have valid points on concept to production for American car companies these are none I'd want to own! Trust me, my wife & I bought one for her brother in 2010 and everything was hard cheap plastic crap. Muscle & horses yes, but it ended there.(He liked it so that's all that matters)
Now here we are in 2014 and all indication of an economic rebound is showing proof positive I see better times ahead for housing, auto and mfg in general. I hope.
Last edited by rxonmymind; Aug 18, 2014 at 12:48 AM.
Lexus LF-LC reconfirmed for production, won't be positioned as an LFA successor
Lexus Europe Vice President Alain Uyttenhoven has confirmed the company will offer a production version of the LF-LC concept.
Speaking to Auto Express, Uyttenhoven said the model won't be an LFA successor as it will be a "more normal car" which "can be manufactured in larger quantities than just a batch of 500." The executive declined to say when the model would arrive but hinted the design “might be very close to the concept."
Besides talking about the production version of the LF-LC, Uyttenhoven suggested Lexus was already considering a small crossover to slot below the NX. He also said we can expect more F models in the future.
Speaking to Auto Express, Uyttenhoven said the model won't be an LFA successor as it will be a "more normal car" which "can be manufactured in larger quantities than just a batch of 500." The executive declined to say when the model would arrive but hinted the design “might be very close to the concept."
Besides talking about the production version of the LF-LC, Uyttenhoven suggested Lexus was already considering a small crossover to slot below the NX. He also said we can expect more F models in the future.
Lexus LF-LC reconfirmed for production, won't be positioned as an LFA successor
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,335
Likes: 61
From: California
Can't wait to see what Lexus has in store for the SC:
SC 460/460C
SC 450h/600h
SC F
I'm kinda curious if Lexus will make a fixed hardtop coupe and separate convertible for the SC similar to the RC hardtop coupe and convertible...
On the RC side:
RC 300h
RC 350
RC F
Soon to come:
RC 200t
RC 350C
Lexus is definitely expanding their coupe lines...
Last edited by Trexus; Nov 15, 2014 at 03:10 PM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 608
Likes: 2
From: CA
I hope Lexus will not make it relatively heavy compared to its competitors like the RC-F. The RC-F in my opinion lost the light, agile nature of the LFA and what Lexus has been trying to do with their performance lineup. Not to say the RC-F is a bad car, but they could have done better with the weight. They started off great with the 4GS being the best handling car in its class, hopefully they get back on the right track.