Lengthy bonnet, low roofline, small cabin, and a brief rear overhang. Even the visually challenged with nary a cell of motoring enthusiasm of their blood will recognise these as traits of a sports activities automobile – just like the 2024 Lexus LC 500.
It’s a components that has existed for the ages, and one we’re grateful exists within the Lexus secure, and on this very automobile. True to model, this primary design mantra is amped up with futuristic edginess at each angle.
Some will say it’s a bit a lot, this author isn’t one in every of them. The truth is, as a Lexus fan, the design ethos is appreciated, because the now 7-year-old shell has aged extremely properly – particularly on the entrance three-quarter.
It’s a view that highlights how that entrance finish, full with 3-eye Bi-Beam LED headlamps, results in deliciously bulging wheel arches housing huge 21-inch staggered wheels.
The Bridgestone Potenza S001L rubber measures 245/40 up entrance, whereas 275/35 meats fill the coke-bottle flare commencing after the entrance doorways. Trying again on the LC 500 at elevation reveals the equal of automotive jewelry too.
That comes within the type of a beautiful carbon fibre roof. Changing a glass panel as a part of an Enhancement Pack, this CFRP panel mirrors expertise used within the ballistic and legendary LFA.
Retaining weight low within the chassis is the perform, mixing completely with polished aluminium trims and the beautiful Cobalt Blue on this, its most scrumptious type. The taillight design is the one component we didn’t get pleasure from.
They’re way more pleasing at night time, however just a little “meh” in any other case. Fortunately, twin exhausts present aural distraction, whereas the lively rear spoiler provides a contact of aggression, particularly when the under-bonnet mayhem known as upon. However extra on that later.
A contact of the hidden door handles reveals them, and a pull reveals a thick carbon-esque sill panel. A declining step over sees one sitting appropriately low in a supremely comfy, soft-leather and Alcantara certain seat.
That includes electrical 12-way adjustability, it positions the motive force in entrance of a fantastically upright leatherbound wheel which is each tilt and attain adjustable, electrically after all. The metal-faced pedals create a near-perfect place for each pottering and pushing.
The cabin itself is typical Lexus; not as fancy or bejewelled as others, however beautifully constructed with prime quality supplies. Ours featured the “Black” inside palette, however we’d have cherished to see the “ochre” choice to brighten issues up.
Up forward sits a display for instrumentation which in Sports activities+ mode channels LFA vibes with a outstanding central tachometer, whereas the cabin controls are dealt with by a vibrant and clear 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Under this, fantastically tactile controls together with the gear shifter itself, are a pleasure to deal with and use. Very similar to what we skilled within the flagship LS 500, it’s evident that Takumi craftsmanship holds consumer satisfaction in equal regard to practical efficiency.
Charging comes through USB-A and C ports within the centre storage bin, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are each accessible to play your favorite music by an excellent 13-speaker 918-Watt Mark Levinson Reference sound system.
Rear seats can be found; there’s two of them, strictly talking given the subwoofer in between. Sadly, even kids had been a compromise for something greater than a brief journey. A minimum of the entrance seats moved again and ahead routinely with the contact of a lever.
Piloting the LC 500 for the primary time revealed what might solely be described as the proper grand tourer. It’s wider and decrease than the newest S650 Mustang, the latter owing partly to its “double joint” multi-link suspension structure.
It’s no slouch both, with a claimed dash to 100Km/h in 4.4 seconds. Fortunately stopping is dealt with by gargantuan 6-pot callipers up entrance, clamping 15.75-inch discs, with 4-pots on the rear.
Hitting the starter for the primary time is a nice shock, with an exhaust observe louder than we’d anticipated. That is owing to lively exhaust valves that open at start-up and WOT, supplemented by channelling of engine noise to the cabin, just like the LFA.
The perpetrator sitting below that immensely lengthy bonnet is the famed 2URGSE quad cam V8. It’s an engine that this author has a specific affinity for and can be the bottom round which Toyota Gazoo Racing will enter the Supercars Championship collection.
Simply over 300 cubes within the previous cash, with Yamaha fettled heads, it debuted in late 2008 as propulsion for the ground-breaking IS F. At the moment, outputs of 351kW and 540Nm denote its strongest tune so far.
Mated to a 10-speed gearbox, the mix is close to good, with no hesitation or mis-selection. Lexus was the primary to deliver an 8-speed automated gearbox to market within the IS F, so the refinement discovered within the LC 500 isn’t any shock.
In Regular mode shifts are clean and imperceivable, whereas Sport+ will bang by the gears in DCT-like velocity and ferocity, whereas delivering luscious throttle blips on downshift.
So good is it, that in spirited runs it felt just like the gearbox tailored to the driving model, downshifting in preparation for bends with out intervention; spectacular certainly.
The draw back for some would be the 15.1-litre/100km gasoline consumption, however in order for you gasoline economic system you shouldn’t be trying right here anyway. Whereas the chassis is enthusiastic and the suspension does a positive job, there’s no escaping the heft.
Tipping the scales at 1,965kg means it’s higher on a coastal highway than twisties by a nationwide park. The truth is it’s the sensible sum of all components that makes the LC 500 so particular.
When you’ve had your thrills, it’s sinking again into that pretty seat, adjusting the music and permitting the Local weather Concierge system to set every little thing your physique contacts with, to optimum temperatures, whereas filtering the air as you head to the following vacation spot.
The open highway is the place it thrives, with the identical glorious cruise management system we loved within the LS 500. You’ll get there too, as a result of security is each properly lined and uber-refined. The record is lengthy, however airbags, pre-collision and lane hold help characteristic prominently.
If this author was devoid of kids, this might properly be the proper automobile. Properly quick sufficient to get one into hassle with loads of dramatic soundtrack, comfy sufficient and with satisfactory storage for a weekend away, and easy sufficient to drive each single day.
One would after all must cope with a driveaway value of $233,856, however these are mere particulars. Vehicles just like the LC500 are a dying breed. Slinky traces mixed with an excellent atmospheric V8 engine lead to essentially the most deliciously nostalgic and visceral expertise.
Alas, Supercars homologation necessities imply it’s protected for now, and for that this author couldn’t be happier. You could find out extra on the Lexus Australia web site, or by speaking to your native dealership.
To get a low price finance quote, speak to Australia’s finest reviewed automobile finance dealer; Credit score One. To see an important vary of automobiles on the market, take a look at OnlyCars.com.au.
Our take a look at automobile was provided by Lexus Australia for unbiased overview functions.
