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One of Japan’s Most Underrated Sports Car Gems Could Be Getting an Unexpected Rebirth

The first Lexus LC recently drove off into the sunset, but a successor is brewing.

White sports car with tinted windows on concrete near a wide yellow line, with smoke and a person casting a long shadow nearby.Lexus
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By Chris Chin

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The Lexus LC and RC might be dead, but their saga isn’t entirely over just yet. Word from the mainland suggests that Toyota’s luxury division is working on a successor for both coupes.

But rather than renewing both models for a new generation, Japan’s domestic auto publication, BestCar, says Lexus is combining both cars into one new model. The idea is to simplify the lineup and offer one coupe next to the incoming LFA.

The spirit of the Lexus RC will live on in the new LC

White Lexus sports coupe with black grille and alloy wheels parked on sandy beach at sunset.
Lexus discontinued its affordable luxury sports coupe, the RC, in 2025, due to slow sales.
Lexus

Most recently, Lexus offered two sports coupes, the midsize RC and the larger, full-size GT, the LC. While the RC was positioned as the more affordable luxury sports coupe, the LC was more of the company’s flagship grand tourer.

The RC sold alongside the IS sedan. It was essentially an IS with a starting price in the upper $30,000s to low $40,000s, fewer doors, sportier styling and sprightlier handling.

White Lexus RC 300 coupe with tinted windows driving on a city street with blurred background.
With a starting price near the $40,000 range, the RC was a much more attainable compared to the LC.
Lexus

The LC, on the other hand, was the company’s top-spec car, priced from around $100,000 with drop-dead gorgeous sheetmetal to match its window sticker. Lexus discontinued the RC just last year.

It reached a decade old, which is long for any series production model. Earlier this month, the Japanese luxury giant did the same for the gas-powered LC, while its hybrid variant, the LC500h, ended last year.

The automaker didn’t immediately announce any replacement, which was largely due in part to the reveal of Toyota’s new supercar, the GR GT, and the LFA Concept alongside.

Black and mustard leather car seats with a black dashboard and touchscreen navigation display.
Although not a BMW 4 Series killer, the RC was still a respectable option with good handling, comfort and lots of amenities.
Lexus

But prior to those debuts, rumors were swirling about a new RC and LC. Now, it appears the new coupe will slot below the incoming LFA supercar. However, it will sit at the higher end of the lineup, versus the old RC.

Could the new big coupe be an SC?

Red Lexus sports car with black roof and spinning wheels driving on a curved road.
The RC is arguably the best car from Lexus over the past decade.
Lexus

According to BestCar, the new LC and RC successor will skew more LC-sized. This also implies it’ll sit on the more expensive side of Lexus’ lineup, compared to the more affordable RC.

It’ll also supposedly share its platform and backbone with the new upcoming sixth-generation Supra. But to separate the Toyota version from the Lexus version, there will be some distinct differences.

Silver Lexus sports car with sharp angular headlights on a reflective dark floor with white light streaks above.
Lexus recently revealed the LFA Concept as the car’s future halo super GT.
Lexus

For instance, the rumors suggest the GR Supra will get gas-electric hybrid power with a 2.0-liter turbo-four. The LC replacement, on the other hand, will get a gas-electric hybrid powertrain with Toyota’s venerable 3.5-liter V6.

Although the new coupes have their own respective badges, the model consolidation could summon the revival of the original SC badge.

Bronze two-door coupe car driving on a road with blurred background.
With the next-gen Lexus RC and LC getting a singular replacement, this could mean the return of the original SC badge.
Lexus

The Lexus SC was the company’s first-ever luxury coupe, which lasted two generations between 1991 and 2010. The original models — also badged the Toyota Soarer in Japan’s Domestic Market — consisted of the 2JZ inline-six-powered SC 300. The SC 400 utilized the LS 400’s 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8.

The SC 430 replaced the SC 300 and 400 in 2001. But it was a convertible with a folding hardtop and was discontinued, and succeeded by the RC and LC.

About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).

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