Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series 2020 Review

To pigeon-hole the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series as a limited-edition spin-off of an already niche car probably doesn’t do it justice.

To the uninitiated, we reckon it’s better to think of this naturally-aspirated V8 sports car as wealthy man’s Ford Mustang Bullitt.

How, you ask? Well, as surprising as it may seem, the two actually share quite a bit in common: a green hero colour (in this case the striking Khaki Metal Green hue), naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine, rear-drive performance and more.

Is it coincidence the Lexus’ bent-eight bears another Ford cue with a 351 in its key metrics? Probably, but we’ll add that to the list too.

On sale in Australia now priced from $205,512 (plus on-road costs) the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series is limited to fewer than 10 cars. That’s a lot less than a Mustang Bullitt, and for a much bigger outlay.

But in unpacking the LC 500’s wares over the space of a week-long loan that took in lots of highway miles and even a back-road blast to the home of Australian motorsport, there are few cars in recent memory that are as genuinely enjoyable, smile-inducing and (relative to other sports cars) fuss-free.

Based on the existing V8 version of the Lexus LC 500, priced at $189,642 (plus on-road costs), the LC 500 Inspiration Series distinguishes itself with the aforementioned paint job and some distinctive interior finishes.

Those are headlined by L-aniline leather furnishing the 12-way adjustable front seats (said to be crafted from the top 1 per cent of hide), a tan finish that is contrasted with Alcantara trim on the door panels, plus black leather accents on the steering wheel, dashboard, seat bolsters and centre console.

The oily bits are all carry-over, comprising a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 with 351kW of power at 7100rpm and 540Nm of torque at 4800rpm.

The quad-cam V8 features variable valve timing on the intake and exhaust strokes, and though the 4.7-second dash to 100km/h isn’t within coo-ee of modern forced induction V8, it sounds decidedly better than those brings a point of difference, too.

The V8 is tied to a 10-speed automatic (no manual option) and sends drive to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential.

Elsewhere there are 21-inch alloy wheels shod in Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber, adaptive dampers, while underneath, the LC 500 employ carbon-fibre composites, aluminium and steel for its body. Brakes comprise a 338mm front/308mm rear discs.

In terms of equipment, the LC 500 Inspiration Series gets LED headlights, a colour head-up display, dual-zone climate control, glass roof and aluminium pedals,

The infotainment display comprises a 10.3-inch infotainment display driven by Lexus’ polarising touch-pad controller.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard – the first application of the software in the Lexus range – as is sat-nav and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. There’s a USB port and 12-volt outlet up front, too.

The standard safety suite is likewise strong, with eight airbags, automated emergency braking (AEB), lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert. There’s also rear-cross traffic alert and automatic high beams, though the LC 500 doesn’t have an official ANCAP safety rating.

The Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series is backed by a four-year/100,000km factory warranty. Servicing intervals are set every 12 months/15,000km, and according to Lexus, capped price servicing costs will set owners back $1785 over the first three year/45,000km (the first service is complimentary).

It’s one thing to drive the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series in ordinary traffic – a typically procession made better by its effortless acceleration, relatively cushy road ride and friendly cabin ergonomics. It’s another to drive one on the twisting, undulating backroads of the NSW Southern Tablelands.

That’s exactly what we did – plus more – in clocking 1000km over the space of a week-long loan, tracking from Sydney to Bathurst via Goulburn, Taralga and the Abercrombie River and return last month.

First impression: the LC 500 shouts its grand tourer pretensions upon settling into its soft leather chairs.

There’s no contortion tricks required to enter/exit the cabin and the forward view is open and unobscured, while the seating position remains low-slung.

Where it cannot shake the sports car tag – relatively speaking – is day-to-day storage and passenger amenity.

A puny 197-litre boot is the obvious Achilles heel, while the two-seat second row is limited to short rides for adults, and potentially no rides for kids (we shoe-horned a child seat in there only to discover the headrest was impeded by the low-slung glass).

While we’re on useability, let’s talk about the infotainment system. Lexus’ touch-pad style controller is clunky to use on the go – a complaint we’ve voiced many times before – making navigation of the native home screen difficult at best.

The LC 500 makes things a little easier, however, with the installation of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are naturally more user friendly and amenable to voice control. A back-up touch-screen would be a bonus.

But back to the car.

There’s a slightly digitised bent to the engine sound; no doubt augmented by resonance tube connected the air intake to the firewall plus an active exhaust system further back.

Then, you shift the stick to D and simply roll away. No hesitation, no sensitivity or transmission shunting – you may as well be driving round in a Corolla.

Power is unsurprisingly effortless, with a linear band that takes on more gusto from about 5000rpm. In daily conveyance the 10-speed Aisin automatic works superbly – in fact, to this writer’s mind, it’s probably the best 10-speed cog-swapper going, with precise, articulate shifts and intuitive timing.

On the Hume Highway driving south of Sydney towards Goulburn, the LC 500 Inspiration Series simply wafts along, insulating occupants from road noise and wind noise and sitting flat and content on the road.

Line joins and drawn-out undulations – noticeable obstacles in other sports cars – are barely felt as the tachometer idles along just on 2000rpm.

The steering is likewise light enough for day-to-day manoeuvres, taking on more weighting where necessary.

Fuel use? In day-to-day conditions with a mix of highway driving, an easy 8.0L/100km. That figure spiked to a still-commendable 14.0L/100km with what came next.

Don’t let the two-tonne kerb weight fool you, there’s a genuine dynamic sheen to the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series.

On the bumpy, arduous roads outside of Taralga, the Inspiration Series cements its credentials with excellent composure and useability. This car hustles, folks. Driven with consideration – that is, trail-braking, even steering and throttle inputs – the only physical limitation we could find on-road was the fear of an overnight stay in a jail cell.

As with pedestrian speeds, the engine is the highlight. It climbs confidently to a circa 7500rpm cut out, with crisp gear changes and access to useable power and torque across the bandwidth.

Ultimately, the Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series is not the dexterous machine that telegraphs every imperfection over the road, but it uses its engine and gearbox wisely to plough through the kilometres.

Trust me, you’ll be looking for excuses to come to a rest and blast away through the gears again, such is the sound and (slightly synthesised) theatre on offer.

The weight isn’t infallible; on a sharp corners there’s some flustered weight shifts and the occasional blinking of the stability control light. That said, the brakes feel right up to brisk road driving, but hard-core track driving might ask more questions.

The LC 500 turns in positively and controls its mass well given the 4.8-metre long, 2.0-metre wide proportions. It shakes of mid-corner imperfections with aplomb and settles into an effortless rhythm. This is grand touring, defined.

A Lexus that sounds good and drives this well… who knew!? The LC 500 is arguably the Japanese marque’s finest effort since the LFA. In fact, in a lot of ways, it’s a spiritual successor, minus the outrageous price tag.

Inspire is such a loose term, but if you interpret the word as a cause to smile, be merry and feel general contentment, then yes. It does.

The Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series is not dynamically the sharpest, or the most practical sports car on the market. But it represents relative value and offers some real redeeming features in terms of its atmo-V8 engine and grand tourer dynamics.

Being a Lexus, the cabin craftsmanship, shut lines and materials are naturally first-rate, too – right down to the lush carpet.

The fact this special edition is limited to fewer than 10 cars makes you feel pretty special and unique on the road.

How much does the 2020 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series cost?
Price: $205,412 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 petrol
Output: 351kW/540Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Fuel: 11.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 267g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

Thank you to Bendooley Estate in the NSW Southern Highlands for their assistance with this shoot.