Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The LC Takes Its Final BowWhen people talk about Lexus today, models like the GX tend to dominate the conversation, reflecting the strong demand for SUVs. The ES also remains part of the discussion, though its latest generation, unveiled last year, has drawn a more polarized response largely because of its design. One Lexus that rarely receives the same attention is the LC. It was never as prominent in the Japanese marque's lineup as the R8 was for Audi, so the grand tourer's discontinuation comes as little surprise.Lexus confirmed on its customer-facing website that the LC is a goner, effectively leaving the brand without a two-door enthusiast model following the RC's discontinuation last year. The demise of the LC also means the automaker will no longer offer a V8-powered vehicle, marking the end of an era since its launch in 2017.AdvertisementAdvertisementSpeaking about the LC's discontinuation, Lexus wrote, "While the LC line has been retired, its spirit of artistry, innovation and excellence continues to live on through every Lexus we make."LexusLexus Still Has Performance on Its MindNo direct successor has been announced. However, Lexus remains interested in the performance space, with a new halo car previewed by the LFA Concept. The concept was presented as an all-electric model, although an unconfirmed report suggests the production car could instead pivot to a plug-in hybrid powertrain.The wider Toyota family will still have a V8-powered halo car in the form of the GR GT. It uses an in-house 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain targeted to produce at least 641 horsepower. In the U.S., the Toyota-branded supercar will be sold through select Lexus dealerships, likely to provide a more premium customer experience.LexusA New Recipe for Lexus PerformanceAlthough the LC is out of the lineup, Lexus still offers several performance-oriented models in the U.S. These include the F Sport versions of the IS, RX, and TX, along with the RZ 550e for those who prefer an all-electric drivetrain.AdvertisementAdvertisementAs buyers increasingly favor roomier crossovers and SUVs, while electrified models deliver increasingly impressive performance, the business case for low-volume grand tourers like the LC has become harder to justify. Lexus sold only 1,286 examples in the U.S. last year, representing a 12.2% decline from 2024. Perhaps it really was time for the LC to bow out, though it will leave an important legacy – partly because it was sometimes viewed as a spiritual follow-up to one of the brand's most iconic models, the LFA.LexusView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
