This is apparently the world's first modified Lexus LC500

It had to be designed using a prototype LC500 because they didn't have a production car

This SEMA show star was designed by Gordon Ting and Beyond Marketing, who had to work on an early development prototype of the Lexus LC500 Coupe we first saw in January at the Detroit Motor Show… a full year before we’ll see the production car on the market.

This, obviously, meant that at the point of conception, there was no accessory or aftermarket support. Literally a clean sheet concept design, then.

But what a sheet. Are we alone in thinking that this concept really rather suits the LC500’s gorgeous lines? Also, being a SEMA show car, much YELLOW was necessary.

Yeah, it's quite yellow

About all that yellow. The body was prepared by Signature Autobody, who wrapped the LC500 in an ‘Avery Dennison Gloss yellow’ wrap. Added to this yellow-ness we find customised flared arches, a new front diffuser, new side skirts, a new rear diffuser and the all-important rear wing. Only a little one, mind. Aww.

It's got modified suspension and massive, massive alloys

Spot the stance: it’s low. That’s because it features new KW suspension with a hydraulic lift system, and height adjustable springs all round. Then, no doubt utilising methods of insertion outlawed by many countries, massive 22in satin charcoal alloys were fitted, shrouding Brembo brakes featuring custom calipers.

Inside, though you can’t see it from these early pictures, you will find carbonfibre Sparco race seats and a GT3-spec race interior and roll cage. Yup, this is a racing LC500 concept car. Good.

Most importantly, it's got more power

The ‘regular’ Lexus LC500 comes with a naturally aspirated V8 engine (remember them? with 5 litres of capacity and 467bhp. This concept car’s V8 has swelled to 5.6 litres, with an increase in cylinder bore to 99.5mm, to produce a nice, round, 525bhp.

It gets custom CP pistons and Carrillo connecting rods, good - says Lexus - for a rev limit of 9,000rpm. Can you imagine the noise? Take a second to imagine the noise.

The whole thing was engineered, machined and assembled at DSPORT’s facility, by a chap named Magnus Ohlaker, who has 20 years of experience building F1 and Indycar engines. And here’s the most interesting nugget. “While not exploited at this juncture,” explains Lexus, “the power handling capabilities of the 2UR-GSE engine have been more than doubled.”

Yep, this new engine is capable of kicking out a heck of a lot more power…