Lexus has Turned the LC 500 Into a Racecar, and it’s Taking it to the Nurburgring

Lexus has debuted a new LC-based racecar that it will compete with in this year’s ADAC 24H of Nurburgring.

The LC-based racecar has been converted for racing use by Toyota factory mechanics and engineers. The automaker says the racecar will help it refine innovations that will be utilized on its vehicles going forward, such as lightweight materials and aerodynamics, and help it to make advancements on engine durability, fuel economy and suspension setups.

It’s not yet clear what racing spec the LC racecar was built to, as the 24H of Nurburgring has a whole mess of somewhat confusing, separate classes. The automaker competed in the SP 3 class in an RC200t last year, but that class is for vehicles with a displacement of under 2.0-liters. The LC racecar has a larger engine than that, but it doesn’t appear to be built to GT3 spec, so it could be a GT4.

SEE ALSO: Lexus LC500 Wins 2018 AutoAfterWorld.com Reader’s Choice Luxury Car of the Year Award

No matter the class, the specially prepared LC will be driven by Japanese drivers Takamitsu Matsui, Naoya Gamo, and Yuichi Nakayama. Toyota’s Gazoo racing division says “it will push the limits for better cars and refine young drivers so that the whole team can pull together and complete the Nurburgring 24 Hours race.”

The 2018 Nurburgring 24H will take the green flag on Saturday, May 12th.