Lexus LC

Model Overview

The Lexus LC is the marque's flagship luxury GT sports car, drawing direct design inspiration from the LF-LC concept car first unveiled at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Built as a quintessential 2+2 grand tourer, its chief rivals include the Porsche 911, BMW 6 Series, and Mercedes-AMG SL. The production-spec LC series made its official debut at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, racking up roughly 1,800 bookings within its first month of launch in 2017. The model is offered in both coupe and soft-top convertible body styles. As of 2025, the LC has received several model-year revisions, headlined by a significant facelift rolled out in July 2025. In the Chinese market, the official retail price for the LC 500h was tagged between RM1,296,000 and RM1,336,000. However, Lexus has officially confirmed that the V8-powered LC 500 will be discontinued in December 2026, while its hybrid counterpart, the LC 500h, bowed out earlier in 2025.

Design Language

The LC's exterior styling stays remarkably faithful to the original LF-LC concept, fronted by the signature Lexus spindle grille featuring an intricate gradient mesh pattern. Sleek, sharp headlamp clusters blend into a low-slung bonnet line that sweeps cleanly towards the rear haunches, striking a balance between sculpted elegance and futuristic flair. In terms of dimensions, the car measures 4,770 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,345 mm in height (1,350 mm for the convertible), riding on a 2,870 mm wheelbase. At the rear, it sports distinctive taillights inspired by fighter-jet afterburners. For the 2024 model year, Sonic Copper and Ultrasonic Blue Mica 2.0 joined the exterior colour palette. The convertible variant offers a choice of four soft-top colours: black, blue, red, and brown. The 2025 facelift brought further aesthetic tweaks, alongside the introduction of the special "PINNACLE" edition, fitted with integrated front canards and a bespoke fixed rear wing.

Inside, the cabin centres around a driver-focused horizontal layout. The 2024 update saw the previous 10.3-inch screen replaced by a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, ditching the cumbersome Remote Touch touchpad in favour of a more intuitive touch interface. Premium leather and Alcantara upholstery are used generously throughout, with top-tier Semi-Aniline leather available as an option. The 2025 iteration introduces even more Alcantara trim across the cabin, complemented by a two-tone steering wheel and aluminium sports pedals.

Powertrain & Performance

The LC lineup offers two powertrain options:

• LC 500: Powered by a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine (engine code 2UR-GSE), developing 477 hp (approx. 351 kW) at 7,100 rpm and 540 N·m of peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Power is channelled to the rear wheels via a DirectShift 10-speed automatic transmission. It completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds for the coupe and 4.9 seconds for the convertible, with a top speed rated at 270 km/h.

• LC 500h: Driven by a Multi-Stage Hybrid System that pairs a 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine with an electric motor (engine code 8GR-FXS), delivering a combined system output of 359 hp. The unique gearbox combines a planetary gear set with a 4-speed automatic transmission to simulate 10 closely spaced ratios. The 0-100 km/h dash is achieved in 5.0 seconds, on to a top speed of 250 km/h.

On the fuel efficiency front, the LC 500 delivers an average fuel economy of roughly 8 km/L, whereas the hybrid LC 500h achieves up to 14.8 km/L.

Chassis & Handling

The LC is underpinned by Lexus's proprietary GA-L (Global Architecture for Luxury Vehicles) rear-wheel-drive platform. The chassis benefits from lightweight materials and an ultra-low centre of gravity to harmonise striking design with razor-sharp handling. Suspension duties are handled by independent aluminium multi-link setups front and rear. Staggered tyre fitments measure 245/40 R21 at the front and 275/35 R21 at the rear.

The July 2025 facelift placed particular emphasis on structural rigidity; upgraded door lock strikers noticeably sharpen steering response and chassis composure, further elevating the signature "Lexus Driving Signature" dynamics. Furthermore, the "PINNACLE" edition benefits from a high-rigidity hollow aluminium rear subframe brace that works seamlessly with the DRS (Dynamic Rear Steering) system, ensuring sublime high-speed stability and nimble low-speed agility.

Cabin & Equipment

The LC features a practical 2+2 seating configuration, with seats trimmed in a mix of leather and Alcantara. On the comfort front, ventilated and heated front seats are fitted as standard. Audiophiles are treated to a 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system. The infotainment suite supports wireless Apple CarPlay and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. On the convertible, the automated soft top opens or closes in approximately 15 seconds.

Safety & Driver Assistance

All LC variants come equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) active safety suite (upgraded to LSS+ 2.0 from the 2024 model year). Key features include the PCS (Pre-Collision System) with intersection support, DRCC (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control) with full-speed stop-and-go functionality, LDA (Lane Departure Alert), LTA (Lane Tracing Assist), ESA (Emergency Steering Assist), and AHB (Automatic High Beam). A 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor is also standard equipment. For passive safety, the LC incorporates a high-tensile, lightweight crash structure.

Market Performance & Reception

From its commercial rollout in 2017 through the end of 2025, the LC recorded global cumulative sales of around 15,000 units. Sales peaked in 2021 with 2,782 deliveries worldwide, before gradually tapering off to roughly 1,300 units in 2025. In China, deliveries dwindled to just 25 units across the entire year of 2025.

Automotive market analysts attribute the LC's slow sales primarily to a mismatch between its steep pricing and perceived value. While universally praised for its jaw-dropping styling, its straight-line performance figures fail to outshine similarly priced rivals in the GT segment; its infotainment interface and connectivity suite have also drawn criticism for feeling dated. Furthermore, staying true to a large-capacity naturally aspirated powerplant increasingly alienated mainstream buyers amid the automotive industry's rapid shift towards electrification.

As a fitting send-off, Lexus released the "PINNACLE" farewell edition in Japan, strictly limited to 200 units. When the LC 500 officially bows out at the end of 2026, this grand tourer—frequently lauded as the "most gorgeous Lexus ever built"—will effectively close the chapter on the golden era of big-displacement, naturally aspirated Japanese sports cars.