Driven: Lexus LC 500h

The 2018 Lexus LC 500h looks like a concept car that sneaked out of a car show. We drove a pre-production prototype on the Circuit of the Americas.

Natan Tazelaar posted in Motor Car Journal

4y ago

4.5K

Walking up to the LC 500h and circling it, makes you wonder how this can actually be a production car. The details in the headlights, the enormous Spindle grille, the curved A-pillars, the floating C-pillars and these fascinating 3D rear lights; they all make the LC 500 look like a show car that should be pirouetting on a platform, accentuated by spotlights and drooled upon by thousands of car enthusiasts hunting for a poster or a brochure of it.

'Build this!'

'I never expected the LC 500 to reach the production stage almost unchanged'

JOHN BRACCO

The first time these captivating lines appeared in public was in 2012, when Lexus launched the LS-LC concept at the North American International Auto Show. Lexus District Sales Manager John Bracco tells about the first time he set eyes on the concept: ‘In 2011 we were at a dealer meeting where the LS-LC was casually shown by Akio Toyoda among other things, almost like something on the side. The unanimous reaction of all the people was: “You need to build this!” I never expected the car to reach the production stage like this though, almost unchanged.’ Comparing the LS-LC to the pre-production prototype of the LC 500h that Lexus brought to the Circuit of the Americas, is like playing a game of ‘find the difference’ on the highest level. Toyota knew they had to up the ante with Lexus in order to make their cars more appealing - less boring if you want. With the LC 500 they have effectively dealt with that issue and at the same time blown away the competition. In the flesh the LC looks impressive and commanding; it draws attention and forces you to explore and observe all its details.

View gallery image

Ten shift points

The main reason why the engineers had absolute freedom, was because they were not tied to any existing Lexus or Toyota platform. When the LS-LC concept received the thumbs up for series production, it was decided to give it a brand-new platform, later to be used for the next generation LS as well. This new chassis has Independent, double-joint multilink suspension both front and rear, and there are two engine options. The LC 500 comes with a 471 horsepower 5.0 V8 which is basically an update of the V8 in the RC F, linked to a 10-speed automatic. The LC 500h has a 3.5 liter Atkinson-cycle V6 combined with two electric motors. One motor takes care of starting and generating, while the other Is connected to a continuously variable transmission with a regular automatic transmission behind it, forming the so called Multi-Stage Hybrid system. This setup boosts the maximum power of 295 bhp from the V6 to 354 bhp, but can also work independently to travel at speeds of up to 87 mph while using only energy from the 84-cell lithium-ion battery hidden between the rear seats and the luggage compartment. The CVT operates in six stages and the conventional automatic is a 4-speed. This makes for a total of ten shift points between the two transmissions, and the idea is that the occupants do not feel the difference between the CVT or the auto box shifting. Going around the track at mostly full throttle, shifting feels natural and smooth. When taking off from stand-still though, the first two shifts feel rather sluggish, as is customary with planetary gear sets trying to mimic a transmission with actual gears.

COTA

Driving the LC 500h on a Formula 1 track, there is more to focus on than this innovative transmission system. Pick up out of slow corners is firm and power delivery is smooth and linear. We set off in Sport+ mode, as the other settings have no business on a track. Diving into slow corners, there is a mild form of understeer, as is understandable with a large luxury coupe. Reducing the entry speed and getting on the power earlier, makes for a tighter turn-in and can even be provoked into a slide when all safety systems are turned off. In fast corners the balance is neutral and body roll is not a big issue, with the car staying relatively flat. The suspension and steering transfer a fair amount of information about the condition of the road and the amount of stress being put on the chassis. Don’t mistake the LC 500h for a sports car though, because this Lexus is no match for cars like the BMW i8 for instance. That was of course never the intention, because the LC sits well above the smaller RC in the line-up and offers a more refined driving experience. The 467 horsepower RC F has better performance than the LC 500, with its 471 horsepower 5.0 V8. You could see the RC as the performance two-door variant of the GS and the LC as the luxury GT variant of the future LS.

View gallery image

Anachronism

Driving on the roads around COTA, the LC soaks up potholes, ridges and bumps effortlessly in Comfort mode, cushioning the occupants from the poor road conditions. It creates a soft layer between the cabin and the deteriorated surfaces, without cutting off communication between suspension and driver. With this car being a pre-production prototype, there was a chance of rattles, shakes and other annoyances, but there were no signs of imperfections at all. The ride quality is right up there with the best in this segment, and the over-used term ‘German quality’ is becoming an anachronism. For those who drive their car in daily traffic and enjoy spirited driving occasionally, the LC 500h is one of the best choices at this moment. Do not buy it with the intention to own a very sexy track car though, because you will not only disappoint yourself but Lexus as well, since the LC was not developed with any track activities in mind.

Boring

Since Lexus - as a brand - was launched with the LS400 in 1989, Toyota’s luxury division has mostly focused on comfortable sedans with very safe and, as a result, rather dull styling. With a new design language and two two-door coupes on offer, times have changed and Lexus is clearly pushing an image transformation. In that perspective, the LC 500h is a beautiful glimpse into the future, offering enjoyable and clean technology wrapped in drop-dead gorgeous styling. When Akio Toyoda said he does not want Lexus and boring to be in the same sentence anymore, he truly meant what he was saying and he started a new chapter for the brand. A chapter that might be even more important than the one he started in 1989.

View gallery image