01/03/2026

theSunday Special XVI ON SUNDAY MAR 1, 2026 Mighty challenge

Lexus RC, LC merge rumours

LEXUS is reportedly plan ning to consolidate its two door coupe lineup into a sin gle model, effectively merg ing the discontinued RC and LC into one new-generation sports coupe. According to a report by Japan’s BestCarWeb , the next-generation successor to both models is expected to debut in 2027, likely posi tioned closer in size and pric ing to the current LC. The new coupe is said to measure approximately 4,800mm long, 1,900mm wide and 1,350mm tall, dimensions that closely mir ror the outgoing LC rather than the smaller RC. For added context, Lexus offered two sports coupes, which are the RC and the larger LC grand tourer. The RC served as the more accessible luxury sports coupe, sharing its underpin nings with the IS sedan. The LC, on the other hand, was positioned as Lexus’ flagship grand tourer, with more dramatic design and a higher level of per formance and refinement. In Japan, production of the RC and RC F ended in November 2025, leaving the LC as the sole coupe in Lexus’ lineup. However, Lexus has since discontin ued the petrol-powered LC as well, following the earlier end of the LC500h hybrid

variant.

No direct replacements were announced at the time, which coincided with the unveiling of Toyota’s GR GT and the LFA Concept. If the report proves accu rate, the upcoming coupe will effectively replace both the RC and LC with a single model that skews more towards LC sizing and posi tioning. This suggests the new coupe will sit on the higher end of Lexus’ range rather than serving as a direct, lower-cost RC successor. The new model is also reportedly set to share its platform foundations with the upcoming sixth-genera tion Toyota GR Supra, although Lexus is expected to differentiate its version significantly in terms of design, performance and character. Powertrain rumours sug gest that while the next GR Supra could adopt a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid setup, the Lexus coupe will instead utilise a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid power train. A fully electric (BEV) variant is also reportedly under consideration. Pricing is expected to mirror the outgoing LC’s positioning, indicating the new model will likely remain a premium offering within the Lexus portfolio.

TOYOTA has decided it will take on the likes of Rolls-Royce and Bentley with the Toyota Century Coupe concept it unveiled last year. The high-riding luxo-barge would serve as a statement piece and to take on the segment’s best, it will need a warrior’s heart like the rest, which means a new V12 engine. The Century nameplate is not a new one to the brand. It has adorned the big T’s most luxuri ous yet understated sedan since 1967 but the times, they are a changing, and now the model is set to be spun off into its own standalone flagship brand. A recent report by Japanese title Magazine X claims that only will the coupe enter production, Toyota could give Rolls-Royce 12 good reasons to be afraid

The same report claims that the new V12 is still under devel opment and could be mated to an automatic transmission with an all-wheel drive layout. Granted, Toyota are probably not in a rush to roll the Century Coupe out quickly so expect it to maybe debut in 2027 or 2028. If it does make it to produc tion, the Century Coupe will join the Century SUV. However, the latter is powered by a plug-in hybrid setup with a 3.5-litre V6. Currently, only Rolls-Royce makes a V12 in the elite segment with even Bentley discontinuing its dozen-cylinder engine in 2024. Apart from the duo, Aston Martin remains one of the dwin dling holdouts for the V12 engine.

it will roll out of the factory with a hybrid V12, to feed the insatia ble appetite for power of the rich. This would not be the first V12 in the Century though. Its prede cessor, the second-generation model from 1997 to 2017, rolled with the Toyota 1GZ-FE 5.0-liter V12. The third-generation switched to a hybrid V8. Infamous Japanese tuner Smokey Nagata of Top Secret even stuffed one into a JZA80 Toyota Supra and slapped on two turbos to make around 1,000PS. Toyota may have taken notice because the proposed V12 for the new Century Coupe could be a 6.0-litre twin turbocharged unit with hybrid assistance to make a combined 800PS.

BRIEFS

SHIFTS TOWARDS PHYSICAL CONTROLS Perhaps this is the tipping point with modern cars burying almost all controls and functions within the infotainment touchscreen to the point that has legiti mately become a dangerous distrac tion while driving. To counter that, China has taken a step towards mandating physical con trols for certain functions in a car. There is even a term for it, touchscreen drill ing. This comes hot on the heels of the country moving to ban flush or hidden door handles, followed by disallowing half-steering wheels or yoke steering. The announcement came from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the

2024 and positioned as a supplier combining the internal combustion and hybrid powertrain operations of Geely and Renault. The duo both hold a 45% stake each, with the remaining 10% belonging to Aramco. Among its customers are obviously Geely and Renault as well as Proton, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Volvo. Its latest powertrain is based on the Horse H12 hybrid engine concept that was jointly developed with Repsol, who provided the fully renewable fuel. A huge factor in the impressive fig ures is a high 17:1 compression ratio, reengineered exhaust gas recirculation system, improved turbo and hybrid specific transmission calibration. The changes combine to improve combus tion efficiency and energy recovery.

that the physical controls must be eas ily accessible and largely blind-operable (can be operated without looking) to reduce distractions while driving. HORSE POWERTRAIN UNVEILS RENEWABLE HYBRID ENGINE As the Lunar New Year welcomes the year of the fire horse, a powertrain company called Horse Powertrain has revealed a new hybrid powertrain con cept that can operate on 100% renew able fuel. The company is a joint ven ture between Geely, Renault Group and Aramco. Following the powertrain’s reveal, the company has stated the first dem onstrator vehicle to run on it will also be revealed in early 2026 for testing. Horse Powertrain was established in

same body behind the move against door handles and half-steering wheels. It signifies a landmark decision for the global car industry as Europe’s NCAP has also implemented a similar decision that will see the crash testing body deduct points for the lack of physical controls. For models to get a shot at the high est five-star rating, they will need to have physical buttons for certain func tions. Effective 1 July 2027, all new cars sold in China will be required to have physical controls for indicators, switches to raise or lower windows and buttons to activate or deactivate advanced driver assistance technology (Adas). Furthermore, the ruling mandates