Lexus LC500 convertible, the green V8
Lexus, a brand that is providing us with hybrids and electric cars like no other. It’s pretty strange and also fun to say they are now bringing us a car that is only powered by a big V8. Thank you, Lexus.
The car-gods …
… we all have been praying too. Thank you! But we also need to thank all the people that purchased an electric or hybrid Lexus and also the Americans. Thanks to all the “green-riders”, the average CO2 of Lexus is pretty low, so they can make a badass 5.0-liter V8 and thanks to the Americans that are in need of such a car. The 5.0-liter V8 produces 464 hp and 530 Nm of torque with an awesome linear power delivery that really fits the car. There are more powerful cars, there are faster cars but it doesn’t happen often that a car and its engine matches like the LC and this V8. The combination of the ease (which the V8 produces) and the 10-speed automatic gearbox makes the Lexus LC the ultimate rear wheel-driven GT. When you accelerate, the car doesn’t need to change down, in search of its peak “turbo-torque”. No, just go with the flow. This makes the car beautiful in balance with itself and that’s a feeling that every car should give.
Not only the combination of the gearbox and the engine makes it a great GT, but also the smooth ride this LC provides. Making a big convertible -like this- feel like a comfy GT and still make it drive like a sports car isn’t an easy task. If you take away the roof, you lose an important piece of the structure of the car. How do they solve it? They make the car stiffer by adding supports. With more stiffness, the car loses comfort and with more support Lexus adds weight. But still, Lexus managed to make the car the best of both worlds, scoring an easy 9,5 out of 10 for comfort and a firm 7,5 for sportiness. Do you prefer your GT not to consume too much? It’s a 5.0-liter V8. What do you expect? Probably a lot more than our 12,7 liters per 100 kilometers. Personally, I was delighted to see that number! Thank you, 10-speed automatic gearbox!
From standstill to 100 kph takes the LC 500 convertible 4,7 seconds and it will keep pushing until you hit 270 kph. Not the greatest numbers, but you don’t have to be shy about it. And again, that’s not where the car is built for. The car will fit great in the South of France with the roof down and enjoying the sound of that mighty V8. That sound, my good God, what a beautiful combination of a low RPM growl with a high RPM intense scream. But sometimes, it ain’t possible to take off the roof to enjoy the roar and it’s pleasant to report the isolation on higher speeds is sublime.
Katana
Another example of the attention to detail from the Japanese people. The Lexus LC Coupe is one of the most beautiful cars in history and the convertible isn’t less attractive. Just like the Katana, the LC gets such sharp lines and that adds to an extreme road presence. Everyone will notice you, everyone will take a picture! It’s unbelievable.
The front exists out of the huge and typical Lexus-grill. The compact LED headlights with triple lens and boomerang-shaped day-time running lights don’t only give a great beam of light but also help the car to look even sharper. Then moving to the side and the car reveals its real proportions. With its length of 4,77 meters, the LC profits from a sloping line with a long hood. On the side, the first debates start. Do you like the LC500 convertible with the roof up or down? Personally, I would go for the topless look because the color of the top is just too light for me. But that being said, it really works with the “Terrane Khaki” green. Certainly in combination with the 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels.
Our last view of the car is at the rear. I’m going to start with a point of criticism: I don’t like how Lexus has fitted the direction indicator vertically. Beyond that, what a fine ass. Nice and wide with a little amount of chrome adding to the luxury feeling of Lexus.
Typical Lexus
Lexus, the name breathes luxury and a lot of cowhides. What did you expect from the Japanese Mercedes?! Our Lexus is the pinnacle of luxury and leather with a sporty touch in front of you (the LFA-inspired digital dashboard). The brown interior -brown, sounds old doesn’t it?- makes the LC500 convertible such a classy whip. Next to the color, the level of comfort is on a standard to rival a Range Rover or Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Heated seats? No, problem! You want cooled ones as well? You got it!
Moving on to a more painful part of the car and that’s the infotainment system. It isn’t the most modern, it isn’t the fastest and it’s definitely not the easiest one to use. With a touchpad on the center console, it’s a real task to change the radio or to search for a destination in the navigation. Sometimes it reacts with the slightest hint of a touch and other times a firm press is required. This could have been better.
But don’t kill the car on that note because it will make that up with its safety features. Pre-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, … you name it and the car has it. Even safety hinges for the bonnet, powered by actual explosives, make it as safe as possible when you hit a pedestrian. We haven’t tested that one.
In Love
That sound and that engine will soon be something for the history books and that’s a sad thing. So be brave and order one right now! The looks and the feeling -both things you can argue about for years-, that this car gave us is something we haven’t experienced in a while. You will need 131.100 euro (BE) and 1.200 € more for the color. Everything else is included in the price. That’s a lot of money but where can you get more from a rival? Mercedes doesn’t produce an S-Class convertible anymore. At BMW, you can get an 8-Serie for less money but less equipped. Spec the 8 like this LC and you will have a faster car with a better infotainment system but also a car that is a lot more expensive. Then there is the Bentley Continental GTC, but this is in a class of its own. So why wouldn’t you take the Lexus? That’s the question!
