Jun 8, 2017, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

We have discussed in this column that some companies like to get a psychological jump on competition by postdating their cars (e.g. putting out a “2018” model in early 2017). You can forgive Lexus’s zealousness by calling their newly launched Lexus LC 500 a 2018, as the flagship coupe is innovative, exciting and powerful. And the future year ties into their marketing campaign titled “Feats of Amazing” that dramatizes the LC 500’s engineering marvels, including its near-perfect weight distribution that gives drivers agile handling, control and confidence on the road.

While everything else is above standard, Lexus uses standard alphanumerics for the name, as “LC” stands for Luxury Car and “500” is typical for a 5.0-liter engine.

Powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 engine, and mated to a 10-speed Direct-Shift transmission, LC 500 combines power and performance with energetic exterior architecture, a thoughtfully crafted tech- and connectivity-imbued interior, and new multimedia and safety technologies.

Available with either the naturally aspirated engine or a new Multi Stage Hybrid System specifically for the LC 500h, the LC 500 and LC 500h are constructed with a unitized steel body with steel front and rear subframes. Designed for visual excitement, LC 500 is built on a new platform -- GA–L (Global Architecture – Luxury) -- designed with a lower center of gravity to aid agility and driving pleasure, and to enable more charismatic vehicle designs.

Immediately identifiable as a Lexus thanks to its signature spindle grille with a unique mesh texture that changes visual tension as it spreads across the front of the car, LC 500 also utilizes dynamic character lines, independent L-shaped daytime running lights beneath new ultra-compact Triple LED headlamps and functional venting that adds to aerodynamic stability and cooling. The body’s confident look stems from prominent quarter panels that flare away from the center of the car, and door panels that are pulled inward. The flowing lines maintain a consistent tension in the body panels through to the rear, where slim tail lamps use mirrors to create a three-dimensional sequence of L-shaped graphics. The sweeping roofline tapers rearward between muscular, sloping fender tops, underscoring the car’s wide and stable stance. Low and wide, LC 500 measures 53 inches high, 75.6 inches wide and 187.4 inches long on a 113-inch wheelbase, affording a ground clearance of 5.2 inches while weighing in with a hefty curbweight of 4280 lbs.

The LC 500 cabin is alive with a grand touring coupe personality. An intuitive layout is split into two zones — with the driver’s side functional and cockpit-lik,e and the passenger side shielded from complexities. A 12-speaker sound system, navigation, multimedia and connectivity highlight the cabin infotainment and the interior is also packed with climate control, deodorizing and dust/pollen-removing interior air filter, Lexus Enform Remote that customers to remotely view and control certain aspects of their vehicle, steering wheel cruise control access, SmartAccess keyless entry with push-button start, Guest Driver Monitor, Vehicle Finder, Vehicle Status Report, Power door locks with anti-lock out and a ton of other niceties in a well-crafted leather environment.

The cabin seats four and provides coupelike interior space, providing only 36.8 inches of front headroom and 32.2 inches in the rear; legroom is comfortable up front at 42 inches, but cramped in row two at 32.5 inches. Shoulder room is good in row one with 54.1 inches and cozy in the back at 48.9 inches.

Power comes from the 5.0-liter V-8 built with an aluminum block and cylinder heads. The system stampedes out 471hp with 398 lbs.-ft. of torque. The Electrical Fuel Injection system is EPA estimated at 16mpg/city, 26mpg/highway and 19mpg/overall, and in my week of pedal stomping and aggressive cornering, I averaged 18.3mpg.

Behind the wheel, the experience is one of luxuriant power and pride. From acceleration to cornering to hard braking, LC 500 performs – maybe not to supercar/track-dominant levels, but to high levels that exceed most showroom stars. The electrically assisted steering is predictable and compliant, while passing at speed and uphill journeys are enjoyable and exciting.

The manufacturer touts a 4.4-second 0-60mph sprint, and while I never achieved that kind of acceleration, I was cozy in my cockpit as I finished off a 4.8-second dash and a 13.2-second quarter-mile, feeling secure and energized during the run.

Next-Gen luxury concepts from Lexus are priced as one would expect. The rear-wheel-drive 2018 LC 500 starts at $92,000 and the hybrid LC 500h starts at $96,510. My test 2018 LC 500 with an InfraRed exterior ($595 extra) was mated to a Black leather interior. The Performance Package added $5960 for Active Rear Steering; speed-activated rear wing and Variable Gear-Ratio Steering; eight-way power-adjustable front seats with Alcantara® inserts and headliner; a carbon fiber roof and door scuff plate, and more. The Convenience Package added $1000 for Intuitive Parking Assist and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. A $2650 add-on was 21-inch split-five-spoke forged alloy wheels with polished finish and gloss black accents, and a Torsen® Limited-Slip Rear Differential added $390. The All-Weather Package added $250 for heated leather-trimmed steering wheel and windshield wiper de-icer. A premium Mark Levinson® Reference Surround Sound Audio System added $1220 and a Color heads-Up Display added $900. Delivery, processing and handling fees of $995 put the sticker-as-tested at $105,960.


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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.