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Lexus LC500 coupe
By William Leong
The gorgeous and luxurious Lexus LC
coupe is available in two delicious flavours
– 3.5-litre V6 Hybrid LC500h and 5.0-litre
V8 LC500. In Lexus terms, the LC stands for
Luxury Coupe.
The 2022 LC500 coupe powertrain
changes combined with extensive
chassis tuning, delivering increased
body reinforcement, lighter suspension
components, and new electronic cornering
assistance, have been "revised" for
improved stability and control-ability. The
available glass roof has been updated
from clear to privacy glass, and a 21-inch
two-tone alloy-wheel design that targets a
more aggressive look while also enhancing
aerodynamic performance are now
standard.
We tested the LC500 5.0-litre V8 Coupe,
pricing from $194,747 plus on-road cost,
with the $15,000 Enhancement Pack option.
(Enhancement Pack provides light-weight
carbon fibre additions and more focused
handling changes). The LC provides
outstanding value before even turning a
wheel because its spectacular exterior looks
like a million dollars.
Lexus LC is available in 10 different
colours: White Nova, Slate Grey, Titanium,
Graphite Black, Infrared, Carnelian, Zinnia
Yellow, Khaki Metal, Deep Blue, and Sonic
Silver.
When I first saw the LC I thought of a
samurai sword – sharp, shiny and refined.
With a low-slung bonnet and sweeping roofline,
the coupe looks capable of slicing
through the air like a sword.
Eye-catching exterior details include
grille, "arrowhead" LED headlights, and
L-shaped tail-lamp clusters. Door handles
aerodynamically recessed within the doors
(which have aluminium skin mounted on
carbon fibre structure) pop out in a V-shape
to grab when the car is unlocked.
There is an optional Sport+ Package
that adds an active rear spoiler which
automatically deploys when speed exceeds
80kmh and specifies carbon fibre reinforced
plastic for the roof.
Not that the LC500h needs more help
with street credibility. When at the South
SAMEWAY ISSUE 663 | P. 20 29.07.2022
Melbourne Market on Saturday, my press
car got plenty of attention from pedestrians
and motorists, like some exotic prototype
had escaped from a European Motor Show,
and when parked at Port Melbourne beach
some passer-by took pictures. Also, how
many drivers I pass turn their heads and
gawk? Seriously, nearly everyone stares at
this dream masquerading as a car.
It has expansive wheel arches filled
with 21'' 10 spoke wheels, curves inwards
in its centre, and has an impressive big
rear end and wide shoulders around the
inner passenger cabin. It looks interesting
and sophisticated from every angle, with a
subtle merging of glass and metal along the
fastback look rear roof and window lines.
This very interesting treatment is continued
in the interior with the glass look across the
whole dashboard.
The Lexus LC is
exotic-ness and unique.
The car is very well
balanced, with an
extremely low centre of
gravity, engine mounted
behind the front axle,
low weight, then allaround
independent
double joint multilink
suspension -
all contribute to its
handling beautifully.