The 2018 Lexus LC500 is here to change the way you think about Lexus. And "boring" will not definitely be used in the same sentence as this car. Let's strip this beast and check out how it fairs with the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz performance cars.
The common notion that LC stands for "Luxury Coupe" is incorrect. In fact, it actually stands for "Lexus challenge." This is a challenge that CEO Akio Toyoda came up and mandated in the creation of the stunning 2018 Lexus LC500.
“@therealautoblogThe 2018 Lexus LC 500 is anything but boring. Our review: https://t.co/CXK7EmGJhg pic.twitter.com/gorVsLMhN0” a blast to drive
— Scott Pruett (@scottpruett01) December 12, 2016
Engine. Under the hood of Lexus' brand new flagship vehicle is the same familiar 5-liter V8 engine, producing 471 horses and 398 lb-ft of torque. Forbes reports that its engine is naturally aspirated, meaning no turbo, and comes with a variable valve timing and 32 valves (4 per cylinder).
The company claims that a 0 to 60 mph can be reached in 4.4 seconds from a standstill. But Lexus has left this door quite open despite this being respectable numbers. Perhaps, another LC could be unveiled in the near future, a much faster version?
The hybrid, 2018 Lexus LC500h, houses Toyota's 3.5-liter V6 engine. It has a combined output of 354 hp with a 4.7-second 0-60mph.
From a driving perspective, the 2018 Lexus LC500 is the stiffest car the company has ever made. But they pretty much did a great job at dialing this particular flagship. It has 4 modes: eco, normal, sport, and sport plus, which by the way is a standard for Lexus' performance vehicles like the RCF.
Now, the LC500 uses a 10-speed transmission. A problem with this is that when you are going 55mph and you punch in, you'll easily notice a little bit of delay. It is not something to worry about, though. But if you really want the car to quickly respond, then use instead, the Sport and Sport Plus modes, because it minimizes the gear selections and has a quicker response rate.
Interior. Pretty much, the cabin is mostly driver-centric and is equipped with the right amount of tech assistance and information needed. Carscoops notes that pretty much everything inside the Lexus is bathed in leather that is stitched together beautifully.
Exterior. Its imposing coarse spindle grilles scream of a very sporty appearance. Basically, you get the familiar Lexus design with a lot of chrome.
The 2018 Lexus LC500 is a performance machine that could be on par with what BMW and Mercedes-Benz have to offer for a bit less money. It is priced around $92,000, while the hybrid is around $96,510.
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