Lexus LC launching four-pronged offensive

Power, passion and... parsimony?
Lexus will introduce its LC coupe to the local market in May next year, in a four-variant range – two drivetrains, each with an enhancement pack option.

Powering the LC 500 is the 2UR-GSE V8, displacing five litres and producing 351kW and 540Nm. The V8 emits a sporty note through its active exhaust system – with a sound generator for the air intake playing a part also. Drive is taken to the rear wheels by a 10-speed automatic transmission that's claimed by Lexus to be a world first for a luxury car.

Badged LC 500h, the hybrid model has a 3.5-litre V6 – coded 8GR-FXS – driving through a multi-stage hybrid transmission and drawing electrical power from a lithium-ion battery pack. Peak power for the V6 is 220kW and torque reaches 348Nm, with the on-board electrical drive system developing 132kW and 300Nm. Total combined output is 264kW.

The hybrid transmission mates two motor/generator units sandwiching a continuously variable planetary gear set to a four-speed gear cluster for a huge spread of ratios offering stepped acceleration.

Lexus claims a 4.7-second 0-100km/h time for the V8 model, and 5.0 seconds for the hybrid.

Both models ride on multi-link independent suspension, front and rear, and the braking is handled by 337.8x36mm ventilated discs at the front and 308.2x30mm vented discs at the rear. The 21-inch forged alloy wheels that will be standard for Australian-spec cars are shod with Michelin Pilot Super Sport run-flat tyres measuring 245/40 R21 at the front and 275/35 R21 at the rear. Active safety is boosted by Adaptive Variable Suspension and Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management.

Despite extensive use of ultra-high strength steel, aluminium and carbon fibre, the kerb weight varies from 1935kg for the standard-specification LC 500 up to 2020kg for the LC 500h with all the good gear.

At 4770mm long, the LC is considerably shorter than the current GS sedan, but the coupe's wheelbase measures 20mm more – 2870mm. And the LC is wide too, at 1920mm, not including the mirrors. The GA-L platform that underpins the LC will also sit underneath the next all-new GS, although Koji Sato, Chief Engineer for the LC project, says that there are no stampings to be shared by the coupe and the large sedan.

We drive and rate the new Lexus LC Review

High-grade equipment and Lexus quality standard
Both the V8-powered LC 500 and the hybrid LC 500h will be trimmed to the same level in standard form, but the enhancement pack for each car will add the following features: carbon-fibre roof, active rear spoiler, Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), sport front seats (10-way power adjustment; excludes power-adjustable headrest), Alcantara and leather trim, carbon-fibre scuff plates and a torque-sensing limited slip differential that's optional for the hybrid only, since it's already fitted to the V8 model without the enhancement pack specified.

Standard features for both models will include Adaptive Variable Suspension, Drive Mode Select system, glass sunroof, Bi-LED headlights/LED DLRs, 12-way power adjustable/heated and ventilated semi-aniline seats with position memory, leather-bound steering wheel/gear shift lever, sports pedals and stainless steel door sill scuff plates.

Additionally, the LC 500 and 500h will come equipped with a colour head-up display, 10.3-inch infotainment display, 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, dual-zone climate control, active noise control, rear sunshade and smart key.

Sophisticated safety features include the Lexus Safety System, which incorporates the Pre-Collision Safety System, Active Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist and Auto High Beam. Other driver-assist systems comprise of Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Tyre Pressure Warning System. Lexus combines camera and millimetre-wave radar technology in the LC for many of these systems.

When all else fails, the LC's occupants will be protected by eight airbags, and pedestrian impacts will be cushioned by a pop-up aluminium bonnet.

The LC will be built at the low-volume Motomachi plant in Japan, to what Lexus claims will be exacting standards, employing expert craftsmen versed in the Takumi culture of quality workmanship. Motomachi was where Lexus built the LFA supercar in the past, and is a pristine workplace where much of the LC's interior is hand finished – stitching the leather upholstery for example, or draping the Alcantara in the door panels.

LC shines a light on future Lexus design direction
"The LC is an incredibly important new model for our brand," said Peter McGregor, Chief Executive for Lexus Australia. "It's a major statement about the new, more emotional edge we've injected into our product lines, following on from the NX and RX SUVs, and our F models, the RC F coupe and the GS F sedan."

But if the local Lexus exec's words could be construed to mean the LC is more of the same, international spokesman for Lexus, Paul Williamsen, offered his view that the new coupe is a game changer.

"Lexus is right now on the verge of a brand transformation," he said. "What better way to introduce it than with a dynamic, flagship coupe?"

"Flagships play a really important role for an auto maker… a flagship at the top of your heap is not merely aspirational, it's seductive. At the same time a flagship at the top of a line-up gives us opportunities to build in wonderful technology and features that might be cost-prohibitive in other segments.

"So we've really taken advantage of all those aspects to build a seductive technology package in the new LC."

Prices will be revealed by Lexus Australia much closer to the local launch, but Lexus execs have previously hinted that the price could be up around the $200,000 mark.