Three years ago at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus unveiled a production coupe based on the LF-FC concept that everyone thought would be impossible to make work. It was called the…
Lexus has just unveiled its latest special edition of the LC 500. The company has a new 2020 Inspiration Series of the car. It’s designed to be a more sophisticated version of the model. The visual giveaway for this model is that it features a unique Nori Green Pearl paint and some special two-tone 21-inch wheels. The two-tone theme of the wheels is carried over into the interior where you’ll find a unique blend of brown and black.
The special edition LC 500 gets unique saddle brown leather seats. The other standout material inside the car is the supremely dark black Alcantara used in various places inside the car. There’s also a Black Amber leather trim on the dash that’s quite attractive. Pair all that with various other black materials in the cabin, and you get a fantastic blend of brown and black.
The engine was not touched in the car. The 2020 Inspiration Series LC 500 still features the burly 5.0-liter V8 engine. That mill creates 471 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. That power is pushed to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission and filtered through a limited-slip differential. Zero to 60 mph comes in just 4.4 seconds and the top speed sits at 168 mph. Pricing will be announced at a later date. The car will be available in the fall of this year.
Lexus showed off a concept version of its LC Convertible not that long ago. Now it showcased a thinly veiled prototype version at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. All indications point to the fact that this car will be going into production very soon. While there isn’t much to be said of the car in the way of new equipment other than the convertible roof, Lexus has not let slip many details.
We would imagine most of the car would stay the same. Obviously, some changes will be made to the vehicle to make room for the convertible roof. Otherwise, the car should stay the same. The company’s international executive VP, Koji Sato, sounded excited that the car could come to Goodwood. He said this:
The Goodwood Festival of Speed celebrates the history and culture of the automobile and serves as a gathering place for some of history’s most notable cars and drivers. Lexus is honored to join this festival, and I could not be happier to unveil this prototype model of the LC Convertible at the same venue where the LC Coupe made its debut in 2016.
Things like pricing information have not yet been announced. The coupe version of the car costs $92,950 for the V8 and $97,460 for the hybrid. We would assume the convertible would be more expensive than that. Lexus will likely reveal all the details soon.
It would make sense for Lexus to come out with an LC F. The LC 500 is a well-loved car, and it’s a dramatically different coupe than many other cars on the road. Lexus has given the F treatment to the RC and the GS, both of which are fantastic examples of what Lexus performance models should be.
When the most recent iterations of those models came out, there were rumors and even a few spy shots of what could be an LC F. However, Lexus made no indication that it would become a real vehicle. Now, according to CarBuzz, that may be shifting. At a recent event that the publication attended in Palm Springs California for the RC F Track Edition, Moe Durand, Lexus International Strategic Communications Senior Manager, sat down to chat.
He told the publication, “Something big is coming to the LC this year.” Beyond that, Durand wouldn’t say anything else. What that should suggest to just about everyone is that the LC F is on its way later this year. Durand didn’t say it would be coming, but we can imagine no other “something big” coming to the LC. The only move Lexus has to make that would be considered big is to make the F version of the car.
This is good news for anyone who found the LC 500 to be a little too soft. Of course, the car will never be quite as hard-edged as some other cars out there. It’s simply too heavy and large, but Lexus could definitely take things up a notch or two with the model. If the company does, it will make the LC an even more impressive car.
Menswear icon and artist John Elliott designed new tires for Lexus inspired by the Nike Air Force One. This marks Elliott’s latest collaboration following his recently announced partnerships with Nike and Caterpillar.
Elliott outfitted the Japanese carmaker’s new Lexus UX model with tires in Air Force One flavor, which, by the way, he designed himself. The John Elliott x Nike Air Force 1 dropped back in October, much to delight of sneakerheads around the world. Elliott used a layering technique to create the illusion of color through shadows.
He used this same technique to create the tires in question for the Lexus Lexus UX. They look like they belong in a super hip sci-fi film, not in this dreary, drab world. Hopefully filmmakers take notice and hire Elliott as a production designer sometime soon.
Elliott is certainly not the first show designer to toy around with a car company. Most recently, there was a Rolls-Royce SUV-themed pair of Air Jordan IIIs that popped up. There were also Volvo-designed pairs of Adidas Stan Smiths, plus Puma kicks inspired by the BMW GINA concept car.
It’s cool when the sneaker world and the auto culture clash, so we hope this happens more often in the years to come. It’s always fascinating how one design language can possibly translate to another. Elliott’s slick, futuristic-looking wheels is one prime example. The Lexus UX is unfortunately not for sale, though.
Those who know and love the Nike Air Force One can immediately see the parallels between the kicks and the tires. The Swoosh, the circular design, and the sole are obvious ones. Subtle touches like the textures of the shoe’s rubber and leather make up the rest of the tires.
Photos courtesy of Lexus
This is the 2019 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Edition, in a bizarrely alluring Flare Yellow paint job. It’s one of the most notable sights at the Chicago Auto Show.
First seen as a concept at the Monterey Car Week, the coupe goes for sale in April for $106,210. Folks in the United States should act fast, though. Lexus is only bringing 100 of these bad boys stateside.
Apart from its striking color, the LC 500 Inspiration Edition is flecked with exposed carbon fiber elements. You’ll find those on roof and the lower grille insert. You’re also looking at a set of 21-inch wheels with an array of Y-shaped spokes. Needless to say the black wheels offer a sharp contrast to the car’s overall coat. It almost look like a sleeker version of Bumblebee.
The yellow bleeds inside. You’ll find yellow Alcantara door panel inserts that complement the exterior. The seats feature white semi-aniline leather upholstery with yellow stitching accents, no less.
Nothing special on the powertrain department, just the same as a regular LC 500. The 5-liter V8 engine tops up to 471 horsepower and routes to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic. The coupe hits zero to 60 in just 4.4 seconds.
In addition to the car, buyers get a garment bag with Flare Yellow lining and matching stitching.
It’s not clear if Lexus is planning to put this LC 500 variant into mass production. It’s seriously hinting about it, though. We’re totally here for it.
Photos courtesy of Lexus
Lexus probably have the busiest display at the Detroit Motor Show 2019. North America is a big market for the Japanese manufacturer, and it tells. Two world premieres are on offer. The first is a convertible concept version of the Lexus LC; the Lexus LC Convertible Concept. The second is the long-awaited Lexus RC F Track Edition. It sits alongside the facelift Lexus RC. Both get a raft of mid-life updates to keep them fresh!
The convertible is only a concept for now. Long, low and lean, the LC Convertible concept retains the proportions of the LC coupe. Tailored seats and a superb Japanese, minimalist interior only add to the desire with crisp white leather trim and yellow accent stitching. There is no word on which powertrain it gets but imagine it with a 5.0 litre V8 and Lexus have knocked it out of the park.
The RC gets an increase in power to go with a weight reduction. Launch control is on offer together with some visual updates to the headlight and taillight profile. The track pack adds plenty of carbon fibre to the package, shedding 80 kg’s and adding 26 kg of downforce. The 5.0 litre V8 remains identical to the facelift version of the RC F!
For full details on the Lexus LC Convertible Concept, check out our earlier article. Do the same for the Lexus RC Facelift and Track Edition!
At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Lexus unveiled the 2020 RC F lineup. At the top of the RC F line is the Track Edition Lexus has already teased.
All versions of the RC F for 2020 feature less weight, stiffer suspension, revised styling, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires designed specifically for the car, and better aerodynamics. The new car gets more power, too. It has the same 5.0-liter V8 but the power is now 472 horsepower and 396 lb-ft of torque. Also, due to stiffer engine mounts more of that power makes its way to the wheels.
The standard RC F can make a 0-60 mph sprint in just 4.2 seconds. The RC F Track Edition can do it in a quicker 4 seconds. Both the regular RC F and the Track Edition get electronic Launch Control as standard equipment.
The RC F Track Edition doesn’t get more horsepower or torque, but it does get larger 19-inch BBS alloy wheels, a lot more carbon fiber throughout the car, carbon ceramic brakes, titanium muffler, new front splitter, and large fixed rear wing. Inside, the Track Edition gets red leather, Alcantara, and carbon fiber to sportily spruce up the cabin.
Lexus managed to remove 176 pounds from the Track Edition version of the car over the previous version of the vehicle. That’s a ton of weight. It should be evident in the turns as well as in straight line performance.
Lexus will start production of the new RC F models in 2019. Pricing for the cars has not yet been announced.
Lexus’s LC coupe is a truly unique car and one that’s well-loved by critics and consumers alike. Now, the company will unveil an LC Convertible Concept at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Calling this car a concept is a bit of a stretch. Lexus already makes the LC. Chopping the top off couldn’t have been that hard. I wouldn’t imagine a production version of the car to be that far behind.
In fact, Tadao Mori, chief designer of the LC Convertible concept even mentions the possibility of a production version in the press release for the car. Here’s what was said:
A production version of this concept would be exhilarating in many different ways. You would see its dynamic lines as you approach, hear its engine when you started it up and feel everything around you once on the road. It would engage the senses in a way that is unique and exciting every time you got behind the wheel.
Lexus showcased the LF-LC Concept seven years ago in Detroit. That concept car became the LC coupe. It wasn’t changed all that much. I expect Lexus will pretty much take the feedback from the LC Convertible Concept, make a few small updates to it, and then start building it.
There’s no word yet on how the top works or how much weight it adds. Lexus also withheld the powertrain details. I doubt Lexus would use anything but the LC coupe’s engine and transmission options available.
The drop-top version of the LC would compete directly with the BMW 8-Series Convertible, Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet, and Porsche 911 Cabriolet. I think it would likely give potential buyers of those 2+2 drop tops a reason to think twice. The LC coupe is extremely unique and well-crafted. A production version of this LC Convertible Concept would likely be the same.
On January 14, Lexus will showcase the new RC F Track Edition at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Today, the company teased an image of the car and a short video on its YouTube channel. It’s going to be a real killer.
The car should compete better with the BMW M4, Audi RS5, and Mercedes-AMG C63. While all the good specs and information will be held until the official debut, you can get a glimpse of the car and hear its raucous V8 roaring in the video.
The image teased gives you no real info. It’s just of the rear wing affixed to the trunk lid. It’s a carbon fiber unit with the Lexus F logo on the end. The wing looks great and should give the rear-driven car a bit more downforce when it’s rocketing around a racetrack.
Little is known about the Lexus RC F Track Edition. It will likely be full of carbon fiber bits. The big V8 may have a tune of some kind, making even more horsepower than the regular RC F. The engine sure sounds good in the video. If Lexus engineers had their way with the V8 it should make more than the 467 hp the current model makes.
I’d expect Lexus also did some fussing with the cooling system, maybe the air intake system, and definitely the exhaust system. You can expect the RC F to be lightweight and wicked fast.
[embedded content]Many regard the Lexus LFA as one of the best supercars ever made. Lexus only made 500 units, and I assumed those 500 sold out quickly. I was wrong. Despite the fact that Lexus hasn’t made the LFA since 2012, there are still seven brand new LFA supercars for sale in the U.S., according to Carscoops.
Lexus mentioned months ago that it still had 12 LFAs in stock. Since that time, five of the cars sold. That leaves seven still sitting on dealer lots across the country.
The LFA was a revelation when it came out in 2011. People had to wait a long, long time for it to come but once it did, it wowed many in the automotive press and consumers.
With that said, it had a price tag of $400,000. Perhaps that was too much for potential buyers. Today the car can be found for around $350,000 and some exceptional models are reportedly priced at $500,000.
With all that said, the LFA came with one of the best V8s ever produced by a Japanese automaker. The 4.8-liter V8 made 552 hp and 352 lb-ft of torque. It was a free-revving engine with an exhaust note that could give you chills.
I would imagine someday these cars will be worth a lot more than their original price tag. They’ll be a collectors car I would imagine. At the moment, though, it seems there are few willing to fork over the money for the car. If you’re one of the willing few, you have seven cars to choose from.
Lexus has finally unveiled its first official yacht, the Lexus LY 650. It’s a 65-foot ship that wonderfully shows off the Japanese car company’s recently revisited “L-finesse” design theme, which debuted with the sport yacht concept that was detailed last year.
The Lexus LY 650 comes with three staterooms, three toilets, and six sleeping rooms. The design smudges the line between elegance and sleekness. That sentiment shows through the yacht‘s pronounced bow, deck accents, and accentuated aft hips. Lexus executive VP Shigeki Tomoyama said he wants to “present a dream-like vision of the luxury lifestyle; one where the Lexus Yacht expands the potential of Lexus mobility to the ocean.”
Thankfully, the LY 650 isn’t just about the looks. The ship comes with an IPS 1200 marine engine from Volvo, but you can opt for an additional Volvo IPS 1350 motor if need be. The IPS 2000 boasts a 12.8-litre, inline 6-cylinder turbo and supercharged engine that makes 789 bhp. On the other hand, the IPS 1350 pushes it further to 986 bhp. The ship has a fuel capacity of 3,785 liters, a water capacity of 852 liters, and a holding tank capacity of 643 liters.
Wisconsin-based Marquis-Larson Boat Group is poised to construct, sell, and service the vessel when it goes into production next year. The first completed Lexus LY 650 is expected to come in the second half of 2019. A global debut is scheduled shortly thereafter. Finer details like pricing and other specifications will be announced at a later date, so make sure to check back with Men’s Gear as we learn more.
Photos courtesy of Lexus
Lexus has taken the wraps off its fifth RC coupe model, featuring some styling changes, a retuned suspension, and several interior revamps.
Such minuscule updates likely won’t make for a radicalized RC model this year. However, they may help the better compete with rivals like the Audi A5, BMW 4 Series, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
First things first: Lexus wants you to stop thinking that it makes boring cars. This 2019 Lexus RC coupe, with its reshaped headlights and blade-like daytime running lights, is proof of that. The brand isn’t going to become an aesthete overnight, but props for trying. Some design choices remain suspect, however. Among them is the somewhat polarizing spindle grille that Lexus has retained. Overall, though, this car looks far more cohesive than the models before it, and it should undoubtedly kickstart Lexus’ branching away from its “boring” image.
There are only a few changes to the interior of the 2019 Lexus RC, like the dashboard’s Dark Gray Streamline trim piece and the repositioned knee pads. The Remote Touch Interface is still there, love it or hate it.
Most notable, as mentioned, is the retuned suspension. The carmaker’s engineers stiffened up suspension bushings, added new shock absorbers, and made some additional adjustments based on real-world tests, according to Lexus, and if you want better grip, Lexus will offer a 19-inch wheel-and-tire variant. The carmaker didn’t forget about aerodynamics, so a new fin now sits on the side window molding, and there’s also a reshaped duct in the rear bumper for improved airflow — both these changes bring stability up a notch, Lexus says.
Lexus is expected to reveal more details at the Paris Motor Show, happening from Oct 4 to 14.
Photos courtesy of Lexus
During this year’s Detroit Auto Show, Lexus unveiled its LF-LC concept car. It specs were vague, after all the car was only a concept, stating only that its Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive would deliver “a rewarding driving experience that is also kinder to the environment.”
Then everything changed. After plenty of overwhelmingly positive feedback, the LF-LC won the people’s choice “best in show” award and were suddenly on dealers radar.
After much hounding and positive response from dealers and media, the LF-LC concept is getting some much needed thought from management.
The concept car hasn’t been given the green light just yet but, as Karl Schlicht, Lexus’ European head of product planning, explains, “A decision has not been taken, but we’re now up to a 50-percent chance (of the car being built) from a zero-percent one. Every top Toyota Motor Company manager is aware of the great reception it has received…”
That being said, Lexus now has the challenge of delivering a car that is “green-but-entertaining” at a price that’s everyday accessible, unlike its LFA supercar. Assuming it gets the green light, that is.
