Photo: YashidDesign
While the 2016 Detroit Auto Show may not have closed its doors for journalists yet, it's not difficult to choose the surprise production vehicle of the event, at least if you ask us. We're talking about the 2017 LC 500 from Lexus.
In fact, we talked about the Japanese carmaker's new halo car yesterday, and we've got another LC-related task on our hands for today. To be more specific, we're bringing you the racing version of the Lex.
Interestingly enough, the balanced aggression of the street car's design hasn't been ruined. As it happens on the track, the main change comes courtesy of a noticeable aerodynamic package that builds on the standard styling with ease.
Sure, this is only a rendering for now (helmet tip to YashidDesign), but we wouldn't be surprised if the carmaker's motorsport arm, Gazoo Racing (more on this below), came up with such a project in a few years' time.
We'll remind you racing activities are a key part of Toyota's and Lexus' plans these days, with the motorsport arms of the two brands having united under the Gazoo Racing banner last year.
And while the Le Mans victories may be a difficult venture with Porsche and Audi turning the World Endurance Championship into an in-house game, we want to focus on the Lexus RC F GT3 we met at the 2015 NAIAS.
The sheer existence of the RC F racer might convince some that the LC 500 won't get a place on the grid, but the assets hiding under the skin of the 2017 LC are too good to be ignored by Gazoo Racing engineers.
For instance, the coupe rides on a modular platform mixing carbon fiber reinforced polymer, aluminum, and high-strength steel, which the automaker says is superior to that of the all-carbon Lexus LFA supercar in terms of structural rigidity.
Then there's the fact that this platform will underpin future Lexus models, so having the architecture on the track would bring some valuable lessons, even if the traditional Lexus way sees "serenity" being placed above "velocity" on the list of priorities.
The street LC itself is rumored to receive a version that will sit above the current 500 in the future, with this requiring Lexus to go down the forced induction route. But that's another story for another time.
Interestingly enough, the balanced aggression of the street car's design hasn't been ruined. As it happens on the track, the main change comes courtesy of a noticeable aerodynamic package that builds on the standard styling with ease.
Sure, this is only a rendering for now (helmet tip to YashidDesign), but we wouldn't be surprised if the carmaker's motorsport arm, Gazoo Racing (more on this below), came up with such a project in a few years' time.
We'll remind you racing activities are a key part of Toyota's and Lexus' plans these days, with the motorsport arms of the two brands having united under the Gazoo Racing banner last year.
And while the Le Mans victories may be a difficult venture with Porsche and Audi turning the World Endurance Championship into an in-house game, we want to focus on the Lexus RC F GT3 we met at the 2015 NAIAS.
The sheer existence of the RC F racer might convince some that the LC 500 won't get a place on the grid, but the assets hiding under the skin of the 2017 LC are too good to be ignored by Gazoo Racing engineers.
For instance, the coupe rides on a modular platform mixing carbon fiber reinforced polymer, aluminum, and high-strength steel, which the automaker says is superior to that of the all-carbon Lexus LFA supercar in terms of structural rigidity.
Then there's the fact that this platform will underpin future Lexus models, so having the architecture on the track would bring some valuable lessons, even if the traditional Lexus way sees "serenity" being placed above "velocity" on the list of priorities.
The street LC itself is rumored to receive a version that will sit above the current 500 in the future, with this requiring Lexus to go down the forced induction route. But that's another story for another time.
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