Lexus’ New Flagship: the $100,000 Question

At the recent Detroit Auto Show, Lexus unveiled the breathtakingly gorgeous LC 500 – a $100,000 sports coupe, which some are calling Lexus’ new flagship offering.

Here’s my beef: a true performance coupe requires a split personality engine – docile and smooth for the city, yet raw and untamed on the track. Mercedes AMG and BMW M have accomplished this with sophisticated but brutish twin-turbo V8s, whereas Lexus plans to use the same naturally aspirated V8 from the RC F, a car already considered vastly underpowered compared to rivals in its class.

Why not use the LFA’s perfected, howling V10?

– Chris Butsch, @CarTalkChris