Lexus LC. A new era of sports cars
The Lexus LC is an S-class sports car by the premium Lexus brand, a luxury division of Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan). The car is available as a coupe since 2017 and as a convertible since 2019. In 2020, both versions of the first generation Lexus LC could be purchased in the Israeli market.
The first generation
The two-door LC Coupe was officially presented in early 2016. The new Lexus LC is based on the GA-L platform with a longitudinally arranged engine and rear-wheel drive. The car was designed in accordance with the LF-LC concept. The LC is comparable in size to the BMW 6-Series Coupe. In the spring of 2016, the LC500h hybrid model debuted in Geneva. In the world market, the LC coupe is positioned as a representative of the Gran Turismo class.
According to Toyota, the new Lexus LC luxury coupe is starting a new era, driven by a revolutionary approach to automotive design. ‘Preparing the LC for production was unthinkable without creative solutions and radically new concepts. Although the designers were given full freedom, they faced serious challenges: how to create the low roofline characteristic of a coupe while still ensuring a comfortable seating for 4 people’. Lexus designers have spent months working on a single signature line, striving for excellence and refusing to compromise. Therefore, the new Lexus LC was developed under close attention of professionals.
The 2020 Lexus LC 500 belongs to the so-called GT coupes, although it is quite capable of competing with the Nissan GT-R or the Porsche 911.At least by the reason that almost no vehicle has a real 5.0-liter air-collection engine. The LC 500 can be a fairly inexpensive alternative to the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT and S-Class coupe, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar F-Type.
Exterior
The eye-catching exterior of the 2018/2019 Lexus LC embodies a unique interpretation of the Lexus L-finesse design philosophy. The coupé's athletic profile features dynamic rooflines that converge slightly at the rear to create a unique silhouette. The 2019/2020 Lexus LC attracts the eye with its aggressive exterior. The signature spindle-shaped grille, combined with the headlight blades, is most closely matched to its aggressive exterior. There are also such striking elements as the elegant footed mirrors, retractable door handles, and eccentric LED rear lights. The active spoiler is able to rise automatically when reaching 80 km/h and retrace back to 40 km/h. The frameless doors look very impressive. The interior is finished with high quality materials: leather and alcantara, matt aluminum trim, expensive plastic, and fleecy carpet.
Design features
The LC design is based on the GA-L rear-wheel drive module, the frontal part of which is equipped with a double-wishbone suspension, and the rear part of which is equipped with a multi-link element. To improve the dynamic characteristics, the power package was moved back by 5 cm, and the developers placed the battery in the trunk compartment. These changes allowed to distribute the mass of the car in a ratio of 52:48. The body is made of lightweight high-strength materials. High-strength steel was used to manufacture the load-bearing elements. The rest of the components, including the roof and doors, are made of aluminum and carbon fiber composite.
Engines
The LC 500 is powered by a 5.0-liter air-collection petrol engine with 477 hp. This power package is based on the experience gained during the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring and the Pikes Peak Hill Climb race. This hand-built V8 engine is mated to the world’s first 10-speed automatic transmission for a passenger car, offering impressive acceleration and great sound. The hybrid version of the LC500h model uses a 3.5-liter 299 hp V6, which together with an electric engine can produce 359 hp. The hybrid modification accelerates to the first 100 km in 5 seconds, and its maximum acceleration speed is 250 km/h. The fuel consumption in the mixed mode is only 6.4 liters.
According to Toyota, the new Lexus LC luxury coupe is starting a new era, driven by a revolutionary approach to automotive design.
The 2020 Lexus LC is the first Lexus to feature a 10-speed automatic transmission that guarantees lightning-fast changeover switching. It actually selects the optimal gear depending on the driver’s preferences and intentions, which are determined not only based on the vehicle speed, but also on the data from previous trips. Depending on driving style and road conditions, the adjustable adaptive suspension can make the movement more comfortable or more rigorous by controlling the characteristics of all four shock absorbers and an impressive range of 650 different settings.
