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WORRIED the luxury car world was marching towards a small-capacity turbo future?
Well, with blokes like Toyota boss Akio Toyoda in the hot seat, you need not be concerned. Case in point? Lexus’s new LC 500 coupe is Toyoda-san’s own personal pet project, designed to propel Toyota’s luxury arm back to the top of the pecking order.
The LC 500 is intended to go after BMW’s 6 Series and Merc’s S-Class Coupe, and has already been confirmed for a start in Australia by Lexus Oz boss Peter McGregor, calling the LC 500 “a lighthouse model for our expanding range”. No specs or prices have been confirmed, but expect to see it lob locally towards the end of 2016.
The ’box might be a traditional torque-converter style auto with flappy paddles, but Lexus boasts shift times close to those of a more performance-oriented dual-clutch.
You will already know the 2UR-GSE V8 from such performance models as the RC F and GS F. Lexus is already waxing lyrical about an augmented exhaust track, but you can judge for yourself here.
Lexus – and indeed Toyota – will roll the rear-drive GA-L platform out across several new models going forward, including the new Lexus LS limo – and possibly even a successor to the Toyota Supra.
Suspension meanwhile is multi-link all ’round, with forged alloy control arms to reduce unsprung mass. Front brakes are rather large, too, with six-piston forged calipers bringing a halt to proceedings.
FULL POWER LC 500 point of difference its 351kW/530Nm 5.0-litre atmo V8; lacks power of German rivals, but new 10-speed auto should help.
MASTERPIECE Stunning exterior styled by Tadao Mori, Lexus’s Design manager, who originally treated it as a design exercise – it’s remarkably similar to the LF-LC Concept car.
TAIL END It’s understood Lexus will offer rear-steering as an option on the LC 500, along with Bridgstone’s latest run-flats.
MOTLEY CREW To ensure the LC departs from past models, Lexus used race drivers and selected journalists – company outsiders – to develop the car
