Lexus LC officially launched

Lexus' new flagship coupe LC 500h has been officially launched in China. The new car is available in a total of three models. The special edition of the LC 500h will also feature a special shimmering butterfly blue body and morning blue interior.

New car features

Lexus officially unveiled the LC, a new luxury GT car, at the North American Auto Show that opened back in January 2016. At that time, the LC had been highly acclaimed for its concept version, the LF-LC concept car, which was highly recreated in its exterior design. Indeed, even two years after its launch, the Lexus LC is still able to capture the hearts of many people with its sharp and sophisticated exterior design (Note: the red vehicle in this article is the overseas version, and the configuration differs from the Chinese version for reference only).

Like the new fifth-generation LS, the LC is also based on Lexus' new GA-L rear-drive platform, and the design style of the two belongs to the same genre, avant-garde and gorgeous. In the front part, the spindle-shaped family grille has a dense and sparse center grille, sharp boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, and irregularly shaped LED headlight clusters as if they are separate but integrated, and they form a complex but uncluttered front face together with the recessed air intakes on both sides of the bumper. The front of the LC also looks more proportional than the larger flagship sedan, the new LS.

As a standard front-rear drive GT coupe, the side proportions of the LC are also more harmonious, with a low body and smooth roofline presenting a strong sense of dynamism. Although the LC has no obvious waistline alignment, the color-separated B-pillar/C-pillar, gorgeous 21-inch two-tone wheels, and the upward air intake shape on the wing in front of the rear wheels also bring many details to savor in the LC's side profile. Dimensionally, the LC has a length, width, and height of 4770/1920/1340 mm and a wheelbase of 2870 mm.

Looking at the LC from an oblique rear angle, we can see that the tail light cluster has a "three-claw" style, with gray trim and chrome trim, taking into account the strong visual impact and a sense of refinement. Meanwhile, the trapezoidal elements on the rear bumper are also integrated into the ribbing and the edge of the license plate holder recess, and accordingly, the bilateral two-out quad chrome exhaust outlets are also incorporated into the trapezoidal lines.

In addition, the new car is equipped with a small rear spoiler with an electric lift (optional), which can be automatically raised after the speed exceeds 80km/h. In terms of body color, the LC 500h will be available in 12 colors for consumers to choose from, including Crystal White, Supersonic Silver, Supersonic Titanium Silver, Neapolitan Yellow, Dazzling Red, Garnet Mica Red, Amber, Dark Gray Mica, Ruby Blue, Black, Supreme Black, and the launch special edition model exclusive Flash Butterfly Blue.

The interior of the LC also better reproduces the general structure of the LF-LC concept car, with large areas wrapped in light-colored leather and Alcantara materials, with details of metal, chrome strips, and beautiful stitching, creating a notable sense of luxury. As for the interior, the LC 500h/LC 500h will be available in Ochre Crystal Brown (color scheme shown), Dark Rose Red, and Pure Black.

At the same time, the full LCD instrument cluster with sliding dials inherited from the supercar LFA model is also equipped on the new car, highlighting a unique futuristic feeling of Lexus in a luxurious atmosphere. In addition, the central control area of the new car is regular and delicate, with a staggering button layout and a center console design that highlights the sense of surroundings.

In terms of configuration, the LC 500h entry model comes standard with LED headlights, headlight cleaning, automatic high beam, electric folding/heating/automatic anti-glare exterior mirrors, adaptive suspension, integrated vehicle dynamics management system, front six-piston/rear four-piston brake calipers, 20-inch wheels, and air-deficient tires; the interior is equipped with standard shift paddles, driving mode selection, LCD instrument panel, 10-way power-adjustable driver's memory seat, heated/heated front seats, and a heated front seat. seats, heated/ventilated front seats, automatic anti-glare interior rearview mirror, leather seats, etc.

The limited-run Launch Special Edition adds 21-inch wheels and an Alcantara roof compared to the entry version, while the top-of-the-line Sport Edition further adds a variable steering ratio, dynamic rear-wheel steering, Lexus Dynamic Handling System, power lift spoiler, 8-way power-adjustable/Alcantara-wrapped one-piece sports seats, carbon fiber door sill trim, and a carbon fiber roof instead of The roof with sunroof is replaced by a carbon fiber roof.

In terms of power, the LC introduced into domestic sales includes only three LC 500h models, which are jointly equipped with a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine and electric motor, which has a combined maximum power of 359 horsepower, and the transmission part is made up of a planetary gear E-CVT transmission and a 4AT transmission in the THS hybrid system in series, where the E-CVT provides three fixed gear ratios. CVT provides 3 fixed gear ratios, and the first 3 gears of the 4AT are arranged and combined to form gears 1-9, while the 4th gear of the 4AT is matched with the highest gear of the E-CVT only to form the 10th gear, and the final overall transmission effect is equivalent to that of a 10AT transmission.

New car background

Looking back 6 years ago today, the 2012 North American Auto Show was in full swing and Lexus officially unveiled the LF-LC concept car at the show. From the pictures, we can easily see that this car is the prototype of LC. As Lexus' new flagship sports car, the LC replaces the SC430 model, which was discontinued around 2010, and highly restores the design concept of the concept car with a rather subversive new design language, while demonstrating Lexus' understanding of GT coupe.

Competitors

When it comes to the LC 500h's competitors, it's hard to find a second hybrid coupe at a price of around 1.4 million yuan. If the conditions are slightly relaxed, then the models with similar positioning and price mainly include Mercedes-Benz S 400 Coupe and BMW 640i Coupe.

In addition, at the same price, consumers with more demand for performance can also choose the Porsche 911 Carrera, AMG GT, as well as the BMW M4, AMG C 63 Coupe, Lexus RC F, and other relatively more pure "hardcore" sports car or high-performance coupe.

Summary

The Lexus LC 500h is a luxury GT car that does not emphasize driving passion. In front of the Mercedes-Benz S Coupe and BMW 6 Series Coupe, the LC's sharp and avant-garde exterior, luxurious and refined interior atmosphere, as well as the hybrid system that takes into account certain performance and low fuel consumption make it more attractive; and compared to the performance sports cars such as Porsche 911, AMG GT and Lexus RC F in the same price range, the LC is not as good at fast running or track driving as they are, but The same stable as a mountain of comfort and more leading luxury is unreachable by these models.

Considering the model positioning and price, the Lexus LC is bound to be a niche model, and we don't have to expect much from its absolute sales. What we are more curious about is whether the LC will be able to help Lexus gain some "voice" in a niche market where luxury GT cars have been absent for a long time. Let's wait and see.