The 2018 Lexus LC, a flagship performance coupe now available from Al-Futtaim Motors, the UAE’s exclusive Lexus distributor, seamlessly blends striking aesthetics, exhilarating performance, long-distance comfort, and superior craftsmanship.
This production coupe embodies the essence of the handcrafted Lexus LFA supercar and visually echoes the Lexus LF-LC concept. Christopher Buxton, Managing Director of Lexus at Al-Futtaim Motors, highlights the brand’s strong presence in the UAE, particularly its leadership in luxury hybrid vehicles over the past seven years. He emphasizes their commitment to sustainability and a greener environment. Buxton explains that the LC 500’s unique multi-stage hybrid system delivers both robust performance and a smooth, enjoyable driving experience, aligning perfectly with the Lexus brand promise.
Koji Sato, the Chief Engineer of the Lexus LC, shares his perspective on the design philosophy. He emphasizes that while staying true to the LF-LC’s spirit, the production model boasts unique specifications that elevate its design, captivating onlookers at first glance. Sato believes that striving for design excellence and superior performance go hand-in-hand. He highlights the collaborative effort between engineers and designers, resulting in the LC’s exceptional quality.
Takayuki Yoshitsugu, Chief Representative of Toyota Motor Corporation’s Middle East and North Africa office, positions the Lexus LC as a symbol of the brand’s evolution. He describes it as a lifestyle brand committed to exceeding customer expectations. Yoshitsugu emphasizes the car’s embodiment of a new era for Lexus, characterized by a harmonious blend of engineering and design. He underscores the meticulous craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail, and future-forward engineering that define the LC, culminating in a driving experience that enhances the owner’s lifestyle. He expresses gratitude for the unwavering support from customers in the GCC and Levant regions, acknowledging their role in inspiring Lexus to consistently innovate and create exceptional vehicles.
Translating the LF-LC concept into a production model while retaining its visual impact necessitated a novel development approach. Lexus merged its design and engineering teams in an unprecedented manner. The final design not only preserves the concept’s bold aesthetic but also contributes to the car’s performance, particularly in achieving a low center of gravity, aerodynamic efficiency, and high-speed stability. As a testament to its design achievements, the LC has garnered two prestigious 2016 EyesOn Design Awards, in both the Production Car and Interior Design categories.
Tadao Mori, Chief Designer of the Lexus LC, elaborates on the design process. He notes the close collaboration between designers and engineers, a first for Lexus. This collaboration enabled the design team to understand and support the performance objectives. Mori stresses that the 2012 LF-LC concept car served as the foundation, not the end goal. The team, while adhering to the concept’s design language, focused on injecting more emotion into the final product.
Instantly recognizable as a Lexus thanks to its signature spindle grille and sleek lines, the 2018 LC embodies the brand’s design direction. The grille itself features a unique mesh that creates varying visual tension across the car’s front. Distinctive L-shaped daytime running lights are strategically positioned beneath compact, triple LED headlights, giving the LC a powerful front lighting signature. The large glass panel and blacked-out rear pillars create the illusion of a floating roof, further emphasized by chrome accents that mimic the lines of a traditional Japanese sword.
The LC’s bold, grounded presence stems from its prominent rear fenders that flare outward from the center and door panels that curve inward. These flowing lines maintain a consistent tension along the body, culminating in slim rear lamps that utilize mirrors to create a three-dimensional sequence of L-shaped graphics. The sweeping roofline tapers off between the robust, angled edges of the fenders, highlighting the car’s wide, stable stance. The Lexus spindle design element is echoed in the rear fascia. Large air ducts channel air into the rear wheel arches, exiting smoothly over the tire sidewalls to enhance straight-line stability and steering responsiveness. The new Lexus LC is offered in an array of vibrant colors, including the recently developed Naples Yellow Contrast Layering and Structural Blue, which accentuates the car’s sportiness with a high-intensity yellow for the exterior panels.
The LC 500 boasts a 5-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine, capable of propelling the car from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4.7 seconds. This high-performance engine features a low-mass reciprocating assembly with lightweight forged connecting rods and titanium intake and exhaust valves, allowing for a 7,300 rpm redline. Its 32-valve cylinder heads, equipped with performance-tuned VVT-iE (variable valve timing-intelligent by electric motor), capitalize on the engine’s minimal internal friction and aggressive valve-train specifications.
The D-4S injection system utilizes direct fuel injection, facilitating a high compression ratio. This system is further enhanced by port fuel injectors for improved low-speed responsiveness. Under acceleration, the LC 500 exhibits a consistently increasing power curve, reaching 471 hp at 7,100 rpm, with a peak torque of 55.0 kg-m at 4,800 rpm.
Lexus recognizes the crucial role engine sound plays in creating a multisensory driving experience. The high-revving V8 engine’s soundtrack is amplified through a specially designed resonance tube connecting the intake to the firewall, complemented by a standard Active Exhaust system. Lexus engineers meticulously balanced the sounds from both the front intake and rear exhaust systems to create what they describe as a “concert hall” effect inside the cabin. This effect is present both during acceleration and deceleration. The sound design is specific to the LC, reflecting its unique performance characteristics. Drivers have the option to adjust the natural exhaust sound level using the Drive Mode Select system.
The Lexus LC marks the debut of the first 10-speed automatic transmission in a luxury vehicle. More compact and lighter than certain eight-speed transmissions, it executes shifts with speeds comparable to dual-clutch transmissions, but with the smoothness of a traditional torque converter automatic. The sophisticated electronic control system anticipates driver input by monitoring acceleration, braking, and lateral G-forces to select the optimal gear ratio. For a more engaging driving experience, the torque converter locks in all gears except when starting. The LC also offers manual shifting via magnesium paddles.
The Drive Mode Select feature provides comprehensive control over multiple systems, enhancing driving pleasure by allowing the driver to tailor the car’s settings. In addition to the five preset drive modes, a Custom Mode is available for a personalized experience. The SPORT S+ mode maximizes the powertrain and transmission’s performance, fully opening the Active Exhaust baffles during acceleration.
The V8 engine seamlessly transitions between the Atkinson cycle, optimizing fuel efficiency at cruising speeds, and the Otto cycle, maximizing performance during acceleration.
Lexus, having introduced the world’s first luxury hybrid 13 years ago, has engineered a new Multi Stage Hybrid System specifically for the LC 500h. While this system shares the basic hybrid layout of a gasoline engine and two electric motors/generators, the similarities end there. The 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, operating on the Atkinson cycle, features D-4S direct fuel injection. Lightweight valve-train components allow it to reach a 6,600 rpm redline, while Dual VVT-i ensures ample torque throughout its rev range.
This Multi Stage Hybrid System is the first of its kind, combining a Lexus hybrid system with a variable gear transmission. This configuration, by managing the output of both the high-revving 3.5-liter V6 engine and the electric motor, achieves robust performance across a wide range of speeds. The system’s operating points were carefully chosen to maximize efficiency at both low and high speeds, resulting in an engaging driving experience, exceptional fuel efficiency, and comfortable cruising. This system also allows for increased electric assist at lower speeds, enabling the LC 500h to operate solely on electric power at speeds up to 140 km/h.
While the combined system output is 354 hp, this figure doesn’t fully encapsulate the performance potential of the LC 500h. The LC employs an advanced Driver’s Mind Index (DMI) to anticipate the driver’s intentions and optimize gear selection accordingly. Power from both the engine and electric motor is seamlessly and efficiently transferred to the wheels, resulting in exhilarating acceleration and engine response that aligns with driver input. This translates to intelligent gear changes, downshifting proactively during braking when navigating winding roads and utilizing the battery to deliver increased torque for a more spirited driving experience.
The Multi Stage Hybrid System also allows for manual gear selection via magnesium paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. The integrated control of the Power Split Device and the gear shifting mechanism ensures instant gear changes, delivering exceptional responsiveness.
Chief Engineer Koji Sato highlights the goal of expanding the perception of hybrid vehicles beyond just “eco-friendly,” aiming to demonstrate their true high-performance potential.
The LC is the first Lexus hybrid to incorporate a compact, lightweight lithium-ion battery. Positioned between the rear seats and the luggage compartment, the battery boasts a high power density, with its 84 cells generating 310.8 volts.
Built on the new Lexus Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform, the LC achieves a new level of harmony between driving dynamics, aesthetics, and craftsmanship. This approach infuses artistry into functionality. The door panels seamlessly flow from the hood and through the windshield, creating a visual continuity between the exterior and interior.
Designing a car that delivers sports car handling and exceptional ride comfort while maintaining a low hood height presented a significant challenge. The solution was a double ball joint front suspension. This suspension design allows for minute control over even the smallest movements from both driver input and road imperfections, resulting in sharper steering response and improved feedback. The driver immediately experiences the benefits of this system through the car’s immediate turn-in response, controlled body movements, and precise, linear handling. The LC’s electric power steering (EPS) provides a natural steering feel while maintaining a high level of precision.
The LC demonstrates exceptional responsiveness, outstanding handling balance, and remarkable stability, thanks in part to its incredibly rigid unibody – the stiffest Lexus has ever produced. Strategic use of high-strength, lightweight steels results in a structure that is exceptionally resistant to twisting forces. The LC features a blend of high-strength steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in its construction. Further weight-saving measures include using run-flat tires, eliminating the need for a spare, and relocating the 12V battery to the trunk. These efforts contribute to the car’s balanced 52:48 weight distribution (LC 500h). The engineering team adhered to a strict “inertia spec,” strategically distributing mass towards the center and lower in the chassis to achieve a lower center of gravity. This lower center of gravity allows for a reduced roll angle without the need for excessively stiff suspension, which could compromise ride comfort.
The run-flat tires’ increased lateral stiffness complements the LC’s rigid suspension, while their reduced vertical stiffness contributes to a smoother ride. The high-performance braking system features six-piston front calipers and four-piston rear calipers. The LC can be optioned with 21-inch forged alloy wheels, which boast a lightweight design, black and chrome coating, and a polished finish.
The dynamic, luxurious theme that defines the LC’s exterior flows seamlessly into the cabin. The interior embodies elegance and sophistication while providing a driver-focused cockpit. The Lexus LC strikes a perfect balance between function and comfort with its intuitive layout and optimized seating position. This design places the driver’s hips as close as possible to the car’s center of gravity, where feedback from the road is most directly relayed.
The low instrument panel, coupled with the low hood line and slim A-pillars, provides the driver with a commanding view of the road. All essential controls are easily accessible without the need to adjust driving position. Information displays are positioned at a uniform height to minimize eye movement while driving. The instrument cluster features the latest iteration of the TFT display technology first introduced in the Lexus LFA supercar, including a moving central ring.
Comfort and luxury are paramount in the LC. The seats are as comfortable as they are visually appealing, featuring a new two-part construction where the seatback drapes over the shoulder area and wraps around the seat. Bolsters in the shoulder area provide additional support during cornering, a feature further enhanced in the optional sports seats.
The steering wheel’s cross-section changes in circumference, accommodating variations in grip and wrist angle. Large magnesium alloy paddle shifters are easily accessible, falling naturally under the fingertips. Passengers haven’t been overlooked: the side of the center console rises to form a convenient grab handle.
The Lexus LC offers four distinctive interior color schemes: the new Breezy Blue and Ochre, along with the familiar Dark Rose and Black found in other Lexus models. The upholstery, trim materials, and detailing showcase the renowned Takumi craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail for which Lexus is known. This craftsmanship is evident in the hand-stitching on the leather-wrapped gearshift lever and the elegant draping treatment of the Alcantara door panel trim, among many other fine details.
The LC’s cockpit seamlessly integrates the brand’s latest audio, navigation, and connectivity technologies, ensuring effortless access for the driver. The new Lexus multimedia system features an intuitive graphical user interface and software designed to accommodate future updates. The center console houses the latest generation of the intuitive Remote Touch Interface touchpad control.
Lexus has also prioritized audio quality in the LC, partnering with Mark Levinson since 2001 to offer bespoke audio systems of exceptional quality. Continuing this tradition, the new LC offers Mark Levinson audio systems featuring exclusive, top-of-the-line Reference Product equipment. The 13-speaker system delivers concert hall-quality sound reproduction.
The LC’s Mark Levinson audio system includes Clari-Fi music restoration technology. This technology enhances music playback by analyzing and improving the quality of compressed, digitized music files. It identifies compressed musical signals and restores them in real-time during playback, resulting in a richer, more accurate listening experience.
Both versions of the LC come standard with the Lexus Safety System+, a suite of active safety features designed to help drivers prevent accidents or mitigate the consequences of a collision. This system utilizes a camera and millimeter-wave radar to monitor the road ahead, identifying potential hazards and collision risks.
This suite includes advanced driver assistance technologies such as the Pre-Crash System (PCS), which combines collision detection and preparation systems; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control System (DRCC), supplementing the conventional cruise control with vehicle-to-vehicle distance control to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front; Lane-Keeping Assist (LKA), which uses a camera sensor in the upper windshield to detect lane markings and provide the driver with information and steering assistance; and Automatic High Beam (AHB), which automatically switches between high and low beams for optimal nighttime visibility by detecting oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead.
Additional safety features on the LC include Lexus Parking Assist (LPA), which uses sensors to alert the driver of the distance to obstacles; Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), designed to prevent collisions while reversing; Blind Spot Monitor, which alerts the driver to vehicles in adjacent lanes; Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which helps prevent skids and maintain stability while cornering; and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).