Believe It Or Not, The Stupidly Striking Lexus LC 500 Isn't A Concept
The Lexus RC F is hardly a shrinking violet, but its Predator-faced aesthetic is made to look downright tame compared to this even more predatory coupe. It’s the LC 500, and if you think it looks like an outlandish concept, that’s because it’s a production version of 2012’s LF LC concept, and very little has changed on the outside.
As soon as I mention the fact it has Lexus’ familiar 5.0-litre V8 under the bonnet, you’ll probably be thinking “oh, I see where this is going, it’s pretty much a re-bodied RC-F”. But no: it’s actually a whole new rear-wheel drive platform, and one that we’ll be seeing much more of rather soon.
Lexus states that “the underpinnings of this new coupe will become the blueprint for the company’s future front-engine/rear-wheel-drive vehicles.” Whether or not that means a version of it will underpin the upcoming Toyota Supra/BMW Z4 successor joint venture, we’ll have to wait and see.
High-tensile steel has been used throughout the car’s construction, making the LC 500 more resistant to twisting forces than the mostly carbonfibre LFA. There are also aluminium panels mounted onto carbonfibre-reinforced door inners, a composite boot floor and an optional carbonfibre roof.
With the 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 producing 460bhp and 389lb ft of torque, 0-60mph will be possible in “under 4.5 seconds”. If the revvy RC F and GS F are anything to go by it should sound good too, especially with the exhaust baffles open in Sport mode. Despite this, Lexus has decided it needed to fit a ‘Sound Generator’ to pump more noise in through the speakers. Boo.
If you’re wondering where this car is supposed to sit in the car world, we’re sorry to disappoint by saying that this isn’t taking aim at the likes of the Porsche 911. It’s more of a BMW 6-series rival with a price tag to match: think of it as a Lexus SC successor, and you get the right idea.
It’s on display now at the Detroit motor show, and it’ll be in showrooms next year.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Looks mint !
This looks like that concept car Lexus made a few years back.
Yep! It’s based off the LF-LC concept!
Holy moly! Your move Germany
I can’t be the only one who thinks it looks sh”t from literally every angle…
I thought so for a while, seeing only images.
But, when I worked in the Lexus factories recently, these newer Lexus cars look impressive in person. Fantastic looking cars.
No, you are the only one.
I agree, especially the hood-into-roofline is ugly as f*k
The new Lexus design language is pretty fantastic. Oh, and - if I say so myself - the interiors are exquisite, because I made them. :P
I used to work in a Lexus factory until the contract ended. sad days
Thier desing is just saying there is new Supra on the way!!
ok
Really?
I hope you were the guy who tested if the buttons make the right sound and have the correct response when you push them! ;)
The Lexus are truly quality items. My dad’s sliver ES350 is 9 years old. Yet the level which is paint is hanging on is astonishing. I wouldn’t say it is spotless, but if you count China’s not so friendly condition, and my dad rarely wax his car, and the fact that pretty much the paint of all other silver cars at the same age are starting to fade yellow, I would say Lexus must have used some kind of magic when they put the paint on.
I watched the livestream… awesome!
Simply beautiful! Can´t wait to see them on the road.
I bet you that it won’t be as good as a LFA
It’s not supposed to be as good as the LFA, they’re completely different cars
There is no level to how much want I’m feeling right now.
Believe it or not, the same automotive group also pulled this
And the Prius ;)
The rear panel and the rear door look fantastic!