The introduction of the new LC luxury coupe is a new, significant illustration of Lexus’ dedication to create cars with exciting, emotional designs and exhilarating performance. In the space of just 27 years Lexus has had a transformative effect on the world’s luxury car market.
Engineering excellence has produced generations of powerful, responsive engines and transmissions, while its pioneering hybrid technology has taken efficiency and smoothness to ever higher levels. Cutting-edge design and a contemporary approach to luxury based on master craftsmanship traditions further emphasise its authentic status as a world-class luxury vehicle manufacturer.
Now Lexus is building on its established strengths, and evolving its reputation for a rational approach to vehicle development, to explore new opportunities in design and technology that reshape its model range.
The change is being led from the top by Akio Toyoda, who in taking on the roles of Lexus’ Chief Branding Officer and master driver has given the business more freedom and autonomy and the confidence to be daring. With the benefit of dedicated resources, greater flexibility and quicker decision-making, Lexus has delivered a succession of vibrant new models that are changing the way it is perceived both by customers and the global automotive industry.
The LC luxury coupe takes this evolution to another level. Lexus has succeeded in turning its LF-LC concept into an uncompromised production car – less than five years after its unveiling to huge critical and public acclaim. This feat has called for new ways of co-operation between the design and engineering teams throughout the development process.
A FLAGSHIP LUXURY COUPE
The LC is a new flagship 2+2 luxury coupe for Lexus’ global model range, not only showcasing the qualities of design, beauty, engineering and advanced technology that define it as a premium vehicle manufacturer, but also symbolising its ambition as a luxury lifestyle brand.
DYNAMIC LUXURY COUPE DESIGN
The LC’s exterior design is immediately recognisable as being a masterful reinterpretation of the styling of the LF-LC concept, winner of an Eyes-On Design award when first revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
NEW GLOBAL ARCHITECTURE – LUXURY PLATFORM
The desire was to preserve the LF-LC’s defining low roof and hood lines, while ensuring the packaging allowed the LC to match the concept in accommodating a sport suspension and 21-inch forged alloy wheels. The teams had the benefit of working on a completely new GA-L (Global Architecture – Luxury) platform, designed for new generations of front engine/rear-wheel drive Lexus models.
POWERTRAIN EXCELLENCE
The LC 500 is powered by Lexus’ 5.0-litre normally aspirated V8 petrol engine, generating a maximum output of 351 kW, matched to a new close-ratio Direct Shift 10-speed automatic transmission – a first for a premium passenger car.
THE MOTOMACHI FACTORY, HOME OF THE LEXUS LFA AND THE LC
The LC is built at Lexus’ Motomachi plant, famously home to production of the hand-crafted LFA supercar. The factory’s layout and its facilities have been tailored to the production of the LC, to ensure the highest quality levels.
LOCAL INTRODUCTION
The svelte LC500 will make its South African debut mid-2017, with detailed product information on the sumptuous specifications to follow closer to the time.