A Dying Lexus Coupe Lineup
Lexus coupes have been quietly stepping back for some time. The RC and RC F wrapped up production in late 2025, and the LC 500 is set to finish after the 2026 model year, with production likely ending by August 2026.
That shift leaves Lexus looking like an SUV brand at first glance. Grand tourers were always a niche, and the LC’s sales numbers showed it. The LC was more of a statement piece than a volume seller, an elegant V8 flagship that stuck around while the rest of the lineup moved toward hybrids and EVs.
So it’s a bit of a surprise to hear new reports from Japan hinting that the LC name might not be gone for long. The word is that Lexus is working on a single coupe to take over for both the RC and LC. Instead of two separate two-doors, there could be one flagship coupe covering the whole segment.
What Has Been Reported in Japan
Japanese outletBest Car reports that Lexus is planning a new coupe for 2027, possibly built on the next-generation GR Supra platform. The idea is to mix the LC’s size and presence with the RC’s practicality, ending up with a bigger 2+2 grand tourer instead of a lightweight sports car.
Early estimates put the size close to the current LC, at about 189 inches long and 74.8 inches wide. That points to a premium GT focus. Under the hood, the talk is about a 3.5-liter V6 hybrid, with a full electric version possibly coming later as Lexus pushes further into electrification.
If the price estimates are accurate, it would start at around 15 million yen (about $97,000 at current exchange rates), about where the LC is now, but far from the RC. It’s interesting how Lexus will incorporate the RC’s zippiness into the supposed upcoming grand tourer.
Of course, none of this is official yet, and reports like these are best seen as informed speculation. Still, the direction aligns with what Lexus has been doing lately: fewer niche models and a greater focus on consolidated products.
Losing the V8 Stings, But It’s Not All Bad
There’s no getting around it: if the V8 doesn’t come back, the LC’s character changes. The 5.0-liter naturally aspirated engine was rare in today’s luxury cars and was really the heart of the experience.
That said, a V6 hybrid is probably the realistic middle ground. It keeps combustion alive, adds usable torque, and prevents the car from becoming a full EV too soon. For enthusiasts who still want sound and character, that compromise feels easier to accept than going fully electric overnight.
This approach also fits with where Lexus is headed. The brand is already working on a fully electric halo model, previewed by the all-electric LFA Concept shown with Toyota’s latest performance cars. A hybrid LC-style coupe could slot just below that flagship, bridging the gap between the old Lexus and what’s next.
So while the V8 era might be winding down, the Lexus grand tourer isn’t gone just yet. It will just have a new sound.
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