The striking Lexus LC500 and LC500h have received minor revisions for the 2020 model year and are now available in Australian showrooms alongside a new LC500 Convertible.
Prices are up by almost $5000 compared to the outgoing coupe, though Lexus says the updated version introduces “significant chassis enhancements that underscore the Lexus commitment to delivering a more exhilarating driving experience”.
These upgrades include:
- Renewed transmission tuning for greater responsiveness
- Additional instrument cowl bracing for improved rigidity and steering feel
- Lighter, forged aluminium lower-front suspension control arms
- Altered secondary front suspension control arm shape
- Modified shock-absorber length for the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) to deliver enhanced ride comfort linearity and control
- New front and rear spring rates, with stronger front and rear coils
- Changed front stabiliser bar thickness and new hollow rear stabiliser bar, providing mid-corner vehicle posture improvement
- Lighter rear 21-inch forged-alloy two-tone wheels
- Yamaha-developed rear performance damper (LC500)
- Active Cornering Assist (ACA) – torque vectoring via braking
In addition to changes underneath the skin, the LC picks up some new features to bolster its already extensive specification sheet.
Pricing
- Lexus LC500: $194,747
- Lexus LC500h: $195,165
- Lexus LC500 Convertible: $214,000
- Lexus LC500 Convertible Limited Edition: $234,000
All prices exclude on-road costs
Engines
The basic powertrains remain unchanged for the upgraded model. That means the LC500 is powered by a 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 while the LC500h features a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid system.
Outputs for the V8 are 351kW at 7100rpm and 540Nm at 4800rpm, with drive sent to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic with sequential and paddle shift.
Fuel consumption for the V8 is rated at 11.6L/100km combined in the coupe and 12.7L/100km in the convertible.
Meanwhile, the LC500h features a 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 with 650V Lexus Hybrid Drive. System power output is 264kW, while the torque figures are listed at 350Nm for the petrol engine and 300Nm for the electric motor – Lexus tends to not quote combined torque figures.
Shifting gears is an interesting 10-speed Shiftmatic transmission, which combines four conventional gears with six ‘steps’ in the CVT to offer 10 ratios, also featuring sequential and paddle shift.
Combined fuel consumption for the hybrid is 6.7L/100km.
While outputs and mechanicals carryover, Lexus says it has “improved the response” of both LC models through revised transmission calibrations.
The official 0-100km/h claim is 4.7 seconds for the LC500 Coupe and 5.0 seconds for the LC500h.
Safety
Like many luxury sports cars, the Lexus LC is untested by ANCAP and its Euro NCAP equivalent.
However, there’s a suite of assist and active safety systems to help avoid or minimise a collision.
There’s autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with forward collision warning, all-speed adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, an active bonnet, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, reversing camera, and auto high-beam.
Rounding out the safety suite are six airbags (eight in the coupe), including knee inflators for both the driver and front passenger.
Dimensions
The Lexus LC coupe measures 4770mm long, 1920mm wide and 1345mm tall, with a 2870mm wheelbase.
In terms of kerb weight, the LC500 V8 tips the scales at 1930kg while the LC500h V6 hybrid is 50kg more at 1980kg and the LC500 Convertible weighs in at 2035kg.
There’s 197L of luggage space in the coupe and 149L in the convertible.
Standard Equipment
Specification for the 2020 Lexus LC500 and LC500h includes:
- Heated steering wheel
- ‘Easy access’ front-seat slide function
- 21-inch forged two-tone alloy wheels (now lighter at the rear)
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Glass roof with interior sun blind
- LED headlights with cornering lights and washers
- Keyless entry and start with ‘smart key card’
- Retractable door handles with illumination
- 8.0-inch digital instrument display with slide-out meter ring
- Colour head-up display
- 10.3-inch navigation system with Lexus Remote Touch-pad controller and SUNA live traffic alerts
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+, USB and AUX inputs
- 13-speaker 918W Mark Levinson audio system
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Dual-zone climate control
- Semi-aniline leather-accented seats
- 12-way electric adjustment for driver and front passenger with memory
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Electric steering column adjustment
- Touch-sensitive interior lights
- Sports pedals
- Stainless steel scuff plates
- Active Noise Control
- Drive Mode Select
- Torsen rear limited-slip differential (LC500)
Additionally, a $15,000 Enhancement Pack is available which adds:
- Dynamic rear steering
- Variable gear ratio steering
- Active rear wing
- Alcantara and leather-accented interior
- 10-way power-adjustable front sports seats
- Carbon-fibre roof
- Carbon-fibre scuff plates
- Torsen rear limited-slip differential (LC500h)
New colours for the exterior and interior are now permanently available, including Carnelian and Khaki Metal paints, as well as Flare Red and Manhattan Henge interior colourways.
The LC500 Convertible Limited Edition receives a unique blue-and-white interior colourway.
Servicing
The Lexus LC range is covered by the Japanese brand’s four year, 100,000 kilometre warranty.
Additionally, customers receive a three-year membership to the Lexus Encore owner program including capped-price servicing, 24/7 roadside assistance, and “invitations to exclusive dining and hotel partnership offers, and luxury lifestyle experiences”.
Scheduled maintenance is required every 12 months/15,000km, whichever comes first. Under the Lexus Encore program, the first three visits for the LC cost $595 – equalling $1785 over three years or 45,000km.
Other benefits include complimentary pick-up and return of the vehicle from home or work, a loan car, and exterior wash and interior vacuum.
