Lexus has not held back with the creation of the new 2017 LC500 luxury coupe. With bold styling, superior engineering and bucket loads of safety features, the new Lexus LC500 is something else.
The LC draws many parallels with its LFA supercar sibling, from sharing Takumi and skilled workers who have worked on both projects to sharing materials and fabrication techniques designed to assist in optimum performance. The new Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform even hints at the LF-LC concept as the LC retains the low roof and bonnet lines it is known for.
Two powertrains are offered on the Lexus LC500, an exciting V8 and an advanced hybrid engine. The more powerful V8 direct injection engine is matched with a world first 10-speed direct-shift automatic transmission and is capable of delivering 351kW of power and 540Nm of torque. The hybrid-powered engine option is also impressive as it delivers 264kW of power with 348Nm from the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and 300Nm from the motor generator and battery.
It will be interesting to see if either car will be able to achieve the claimed fuel consumption of 6.7 l/100km for the hybrid or 11.6 l/100km for the V8 in the real world, especially with the car designed to encourage spirited driving.
Lexus chief executive Peter McGregor said "The V8 complements the finely tuned handling qualities of the coupe's chassis by delivering the acceleration, responsiveness and high output customers expect."
"The LC 500h will change the perception of hybrids with much-improved performance, greater responsiveness and a higher level of dynamic performance and driving pleasure."
The Lexus LC500 will come with plenty of standard features which include full LED lighting, glass panoramic roof, flush door handles, large colour head-up display, two-zone climate control, new adaptive variable multi-link front and rear sports suspension and 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
Luxurious touches include semi-aniline leather-accented upholstery, a single instrument dial with an eight-inch multi-information display, heated and ventilated front seats with 12-way power adjustment and memory function, sports pedals, magnesium alloy paddle shifters, six drive modes and stainless steel scuff plates, but it doesn’t end there.
The LC500 also comes with some serious infotainment inclusions in the form of a 10.3-inch display, enhanced voice recognition, satellite navigation with SUNA Live Traffic, Mark Levinson speakers, Lexus Enform connected mobility and Siri Eyes Free and Miracast for compatible mobile phones.
Safety is also a serious consideration as every LC500 features advanced safety technologies. This includes Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collison Safety System, Lane Keep Assist, Sway Warning and Automatic High Beam, plus a Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, reversing camera, eight airbags and tyre-pressure monitor. There is also a Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system which is responsible for integrating stability and traction control, anti-skid brakes, electric power steering and other systems to provide a safer ride.
If the LC wasn’t performance packed enough there is also the option to add an enhancement pack for $15,000 which brings Lexus Dynamic Handling features including four-wheel steering, variable gear ratio steering, an active rear spoiler which deploys automatically at 80km/h, a carbon-fibre roof (in place of the glass roof), combination leather-accented and Alcantara upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable sports front seats and carbon-fibre scuff plates. The LC500h also gains a limited-slip differential, which is standard on the V8.
Car Conversation is looking forward to putting the LC500 through its paces in the coming months. Both versions of the LC luxury coupe, the LC500 and LC500h, will launch at $190,000 plus on-roads.
Let’s start a Car Conversation, which Lexus LC will be the top seller, the LC500 with its massive V8 or the clever LC500h Hybrid version?
