2019 Lexus LC Convertible. 1st generation
The Lexus LC is an S-class sports car manufactured under the Lexus brand, a luxury division of Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan). It has been produced since 2017 in a coupe body. The long-awaited flagship Lexus LC 500 convertible was unveiled on November 9 at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. In 2021, both the Lexus LC coupe and convertible are available on the Israeli market. Keep on reading to find out more about the convertible’s features. By the way, it went on sale only in 2020.
According to Lexus, the new Lexus LC 500 convertible, along with the existing LC 500 coupe, ‘will be one of the brand’s most inspiring models, delivering a unique experience, real emotion and unrivaled beauty to owners’. The reinforced body is optimally positioned and shaped to provide high dynamic performance and an excellent steering response. The powerful V8 engine smoothly propels the convertible, generating an impressive exhaust sound. The driver and passenger of the LC 500 convertible will feel comfortable in any weather, enjoying the silence inside the car, thanks to warm air blown to the neck and a transparent windscreen.
Distinctive features
The 2019/2020 Lexus LC convertible has a 2+2 car-body style, but the rear row is purely nominal. A plastic wind shield is installed behind it. The 2-door convertible comes in two versions: with a black and beige top. The four-layer convertible roof opens and closes with a button in 15-16 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h. The overall height has increased by 5 mm compared to the coupe. Thus, the convertible is 4,760 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,350 mm high. It has a wheelbase of 2,870 mm.
The body without a hard-top has been strengthened. The manufacturer has added new elements and optimized the position of the existing ones. The suspension has also undergone changes, which consisted in reducing unsprung weight at the front and installing an aluminum brace at the rear. The trunk lid now features an additional (third) alarm.
The convertible body retains excellent aerodynamic characteristics and optimal weight distribution. The soft-top roof makes the convertible look sporty. A taller and wider tailgate line accentuates the dynamic line of the sidewalls and creates a road-hugging, muscular appearance. Specially developed for the LC 500, the 4-layer tarpaulin, when unfolded, follows the flowing shape of the coupe roof, hiding frame elements. The fabric material has been carefully selected and manufactured to the highest quality in order to ensure optimal, wrinkle-free tension as well as good sound insulation properties. The operation of the open and close mechanisms of the soft-top is electronically controlled so as to ensure safety for the driver.
Interior and equipment
The interior of the 2020/2021 Lexus LC convertible greets the driver and passengers with high-quality leather and Alcantara trim. Plus, the car offers ambient lighting and a 10.3-inch multimedia system screen suitable for Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and Apple CarPlay interfaces. The trim looks truly exclusive due to the presence of the patchwork and special leather perforation on the upper part of the seats, as well as the embroidered ‘L’ logo on the back of the headrests. The convertible features a proprietary Lexus Climate Concierge airflow system, which automatically turns on seat and steering wheel heating, and also directs a stream of warm air to the neck of the driver and passenger. The functionality of the climate control has been expanded: now the electronics can automatically change settings depending on the position of the roof, including controlling the heated seats and steering wheel. Even the base version of the new LC 500 Cabrio has the Lexus Safety System +, which includes adaptive headlights, blind spot monitoring system with a cross-traffic tracking function, a collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection and much more.
Interestingly, Lexus has never produced a traditional soft-top convertible, all the few representatives of this class were equipped with a retractable hard roof.
State-of-the-art noise isolation techniques and Active Noise Control (ANC) suppress unwanted noise and unpleasant sound frequencies. The high-quality audio system faithfully reproduces the original sounds of each instrument and vocals. The system automatically adjusts settings and sound distribution based on the position of the retractable roof, providing an acoustic space that can be enjoyed in any situation.
European buyers can purchase an exclusive convertible version, called the Lexus LC 500 Convertible Regatta Edition. The body of the Regatta is painted in a unique Structural Blue color, borrowed from the wings of Morpho butterflies. The fabric roof is in Marine Blue. The interior is two-tone: in white and blue. A similar color combination cannot be ordered for regular convertibles, although the same interior decoration corresponds to another special version, the Inspiration Series. The Regatta Edition is standardly equipped with 21-inch wheels and a Torsen limited-slip differential. However, the manufacturer says that it will be a very rare car.
Modifications
In 2021, the convertible is available in one modification, the Lexus LC 500, which is equipped with a 5-liter petrol V8 engine with 464 hp and 540 Nm of torque, coupled with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This version is rear-wheel drive. The maximum speed is 270 km/h. It takes 5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. The engine provides powerful linear acceleration. The performance of the powertrain depends on the driving style and can vary from smooth, comfortable reactions during quiet driving to sharp and instant accelerations.
