Lexus LC 500: A New Era Begins
LC 500: two letters and three numbers are enough to give the name to the first model of what Lexus calls as “the beginning of a new era.” At the 2016 Detroit Auto Show taking place in these very days, the Japanese manufacturer unveils its new 2+2 coupe with rear wheel drive and high performance that draws inspiration from the LF-LC presented as a prototype in Detroit back in 2012. The LC 500 is the new Lexus’ flagship model thanks to its design, technology and mechanics. The new born shows a bold design that emphasizes the latest styles of the brand and focuses on a judicious mix of sharp and tapered lines. Hallmark for excellence is the classic front grille with double trapeze that this time even comes three-dimensional! But the LC 500 is not only about a pungent design: between the technical specifications and the peculiar suspension made of aluminum, a weight distribution of 52% at front and 48% to the rear and a completely new platform consisting of carbon fiber, aluminum and high-strength steels capable of ensuring rigidity values extremely high. The heart of the new LC 500 is the 5.0 naturally aspirated V8 (which already equips the GS-F and the RC-F) able to output 473 hp and 527 Nm of torque mated to a new 10-speed automatic gearbox. Performance? So far we only know something about the acceleration from 0 to 96 kph achievable in less than 4.5 seconds!
Words by Antonio Iafelice