Lexus Oz spruiks LC 500

Lexus has given Australian media an early preview of its sporty new LC 500 coupe this week, confirming it will arrive in local showrooms in the second quarter of 2017.

Built on Lexus’ new GA-L front-engine/rear-drive platform, the svelte two-door will offer hybrid and V8 powertrains when it lands in Aussie dealerships, as well as the world’s first Aisin 10-speed automatic transmission.

Likely to compete against large luxury coupes including the $295,000 Mercedes-AMG GT, the LC 500 will debut with the same circa-350kW/530Nm quad-cam V8 as the Lexus RC F and GS F sports sedans, enabling it to hit 100km/h in 4.5sec.

The LC 500h hybrid version will join the local LC range sometime next year, offering 264kW from its 3.5-litre V6 petrol-electric ‘multi-hybrid’ unit comprising a four-speed automatic transmission.

The same powertrain should feature in Lexus’ next-generation LS limousine, which is expected to debut at the Detroit motor show in January, and a range-topping LC F is tipped to debut in 2018.

Speaking to journalists at the launch of the revised IS sedan, Lexus Australia chief executive Peter McGregor explained how the development of the LC 500 pushed Lexus designers and engineers to their very limit.

“This stunning machine represents the pinnacle of collaborative success between Lexus engineers and Lexus designers," stated McGregor.

"Such was their dedication, that the Lexus design team spent a great deal of time driving the LF-A and other high-performance cars to develop deeper understanding of the passion amongst Lexus engineers for producing a great driving experience.

“In doing so, they gained valuable experience in understanding why a car’s dynamic abilities must be supported by the design of the cabin, and the ideal position of the instruments and controls. The result of the teamwork is that the Lexus LC delivers optimum performance and packaging, while retaining the dramatic styling and road presence of the concept that inspired it: the [2012] LF-LC.

“This was no simply conversion from concept car to road car. According to the global chief engineer, Koji Sato, the sheer depth of development for the LC coupe evoked that of the ground-breaking original Lexus LS sedan,” he remarked.

McGregor went on to explain how the design of the body, and the wish to offer 21-inch alloy wheels, led to several redesigns of the LC 500’s aluminium front suspension towers; the desire to offer a four-seat cabin also challenging engineers to “re-think” the roofline many times over.

Measuring 4700mm long, 1900mm wide and standing 1400mm tall, the LC 500 claims a near perfect 52:48 weight distribution front to rear with much of its mass kept “as inboard as possible”.

The body is constructed of a mix of steel, aluminium and carbon-fibre, and is claimed to offer better structural rigidity than Lexus’ previous sports flagship, the limited-build 2011 LF-A.

The LC's 2+2 cabin will offer an extensive range of personalisable trim and upholstery materials and colours, and plays host to an updated version of Lexus’ Remote Touch Interface, simplified switchgear and breathtaking attention to detail.

Lexus is yet to reveal pricing of its new sports flagship, but indicated the coupe will sit alongside the LS sedan at the top of its range. The range-topping LS 600h F Sport currently sells from $214,030 plus on-road costs.