Review | The Lexus LC 500 Convertible - A Modern Classic
Graham Courtney recently took delivery of Lexus' latest luxury sports convertible. The LC 500 looks great, feels great and packs a punch... but at what cost?
Lexus is a car manufacturer that has always tried to push the boundaries. They were one of the first firms to champion hybrid technology. They continue to produce an interesting mix of SUVs, executive saloons, swoopy coupés and luxury cruisers.
And then there's the LC 500, a thumping sports car with a powerful 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine. There are two available models, a coupé and the one you see here, the convertible.
The fact that the LC in either form is only available with that V8 engine is a surprise because Lexus thrives on producing economical cars. However, Lexus also wants to show that they can do the other extreme; fast, brutish and yet incredibly stylish sports cars.
If you are looking for a car to lock away in your garage and only use at weekends and to enjoy running a polishing cloth over, then this car ticks the box. It really is that desirable, and as we hurtle towards 2030 when the sale of petrol and diesel cars is banned, we need to make the most of these machines before a pen-pusher in Westminster kills them off.
You can't beat some wind in the hair, flies in the teeth motoring. The Lexus delivery driver dropped off the car in (what was) glorious sunshine and a 3-day trip to the Lake District was booked in to start the following day - I guess it was the rain during the night which kept me awake. And the next day, and next day which sort of sums up the tail end of a British summer. I suppose it meant the LC Lexus could prove that the roof doesn't leak, which is pretty essential in this country.
The car's performance is outstanding; 0-60 comes up in a shade under 5 seconds—the top speed; is 168mph. Okay, the fuel economy of 24.9 mpg isn't brilliant, but this isn't the sort of car where you're likely to rack up vast mileages despite being capable of doing so, thanks to Lexus' excellent reputation for reliability.
The LC is also a recent award winner. It's the reigning 'WhatCar?' High-end convertible champion, and it has been named the best luxury car at the Women's World Car of the Year ceremony. The fact that it's got a less than eco-friendly, old-school 468bhp petrol V8 hasn't detracted one little bit from the simple fact that this Lexus LC 500 Convertible is a terrific piece of desirable engineering.
The 10-speed automatic gearbox keeps the power flowing, even from low revs. It also keeps the wonderful burble resonating from the exhaust. It doesn't matter whether you are powering along or trundling down a country lane; the sound from the exhaust is a delight. Everything goes via the rear wheels - none of that fancy all-wheel drive gubbins here.
The interior is a delight, a mix of high-tech and classic design. It looks great and feels even better. The build quality is outstanding, too. The phrase ''crafted from granite'' comes to mind. The LC 500 Convertible is, theoretically, a 4-seater, but the seats in the back are just for the local Hobbits. They're a handy place to chuck a jacket or some shopping bags.
I won't list what you get as standard in terms of kit because you get everything that you could possibly need.
The interior is also surprisingly hushed with the hood in place. Many convertibles are noisier than their coupé stablemate, but this LC is well insulated. The hood can be raised or lowered in 15 seconds, and you can operate it at speeds up to 30mph.
So, how much? It's £95,845 for the entry-level model, but I'd be tempted to spend an extra six grand for the Sport Pack Plus version, which adds bigger alloys, upgraded leather upholstery and neck heaters which blow warm air from vents in the headrest.
If you yearn for an exclusive rag-top sports car that looks fantastic, sounds brilliant, and is a delight to own and drive, this is one of the best around. I love it - it's a beauty and a rarity.
words & pictures: Graham Courtney
