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This is the Lexus LC500h, an aggressively handsome slab of Japanese

metal origami, and wow, I can't take my eyes off it. From the

athletic haunches all the way to the powerful and elegant front end, what a

stunner. But I sort of feel like I'm being superficial, and bouncing around my

head are a couple of old cliches like beauty only being skin deep or it's

what's inside the counts. The h of course means this particular LC is the hybrid

version, so is there possibly something substantive inside all this brain-sizzling

gorgeousness? Okay, so yes we are actually literally inside, and it's

pretty stunning in here, almost as good-looking as the outside, though this

two-tone blue and orange color combination looks as though it was

designed by a Florida Gator alum. It actually makes this particular example

feel more overworked than it really is. Sometimes more is just more, but there's

nothing but luxury as far as the arm can reach. Everything is soft and feels

expensive. The bucket seats are comfortable and feel really supportive.

Now I'm 5 feet 5 inches tall and kind of have the arms of a T-Rex, but the 500 is

really adjustable, and I fit pretty well. Visibility isn't stellar, but at least

there's a lot of really attractive blue suede on the c-pillar to look at when

you turn around. Good thing there are a bevy of electronic unblinking eyes to

warn you when a cars coming. Our tester features a Touring package that includes

leather seats, Alcantara trim and headliner, a heated steering wheel and

a Mark Levinson stereo with 13-speaker surround sound, though finding the equalizer

on the not so intuitive infotainment system has been something of a challenge.

So, if you know where it is give me a shout. The touchpad that

operates said infotainment system isn't my favorite part of the interior.

I thought maybe spending more time in the car would help, but it's not precise

and isn't something you want to mess around with while you're driving. As far

as the passenger cabin, you're kind of tucked into like a cocoon. It's almost

like one of those private first class seats that make you feel like you have

your own room. I am intrigued by what these handles are for. I think it's for

when Micah drives.

The back seats aren't really back seats. I mean I can sit behind me, but anyone

who has longer legs is gonna have a problem, but hey, they're gorgeous.

More beauty points. Also, you lose about a half an inch of legroom compared to the

V8 because the battery is wedged between the trunk and the backseat. So how about I

get out of this non-seat and I get to the best seat in the house.

The powertrain in the LC500h is, let's call it forward-thinking and a little

unusual. It's called a multi-stage hybrid which is a 3.5-liter V6 with a couple of

electric motors paired to two gearboxes, that's right, two separate transmissions

working in tandem. One's a continuously variable transmission and the other's

a four-speed automatic. The setup is designed to make the CVT feel, well, not

like a CVT, meaning eliminating that rubber bandy rpm droning and making it

feel as though it actually has graduated gears.

I applaud Lexus for the innovative tech, but unfortunately I think it's a little

underdeveloped. Some of the shifts are smooth, some not so smooth, so what you

end up with is a ride that feels a little muddled and kind of inconsistent,

not ideal in a high-performance car. You certainly don't get those quick, sharp,

silky shifts you get in the 10-speed transmission on the V8. Using the paddle

shifters is a little bette,r but the throws are on the long side and the

shifts are sometimes a bit delayed, so not smooth. But it's got a top speed of

155 miles an hour so there's still fun to be had.

Interestingly, despite the presence of an electronically controlled suspension, I

don't notice much difference between chassis settings and Comfort versus

Sport or Sport+ modes. When rolling over bumps in Sport+ I'd expect it to feel a

lot firmer, but honestly, it doesn't feel that much different from Comfort. The

only real noticeable difference is the throttle busts wide open and that engine

note becomes much more pronounced.

Unfortunately, unlike the delightful noise which emanates from the V8 the 500h

engine produces more of a high, whining whirring sound. It's not stellar for a

high-performance touring car that costs over $100,000. Oh, just listen to

that V8 sound people, sonorous. Around corners is where the beast comes

out of this beauty, and the LC500h does its best work. There's minimal body

roll and it really feels solid and hugs the road. Oh that's nice.

With those electric motors sending instant torque to the rear wheels the

500h really accelerates assertively coming out of curves. Braking ability in

the V8 is borderline stellar. In the 500h it's regenerative so it's still hybrid

brakes. You put your foot on the pedal there's a little bit of a lag or a

stutter. Once you put some muscle behind them though the 14-inch rears and almost

16 inch front calipers really get down to business.

While the V8 makes 471 horsepower and has a top speed of 168 mph

the hybrid only tops out at 354 hp. Even though the electric

motor is unrated, that's a significant drop. By comparison the BMW i8 makes 357

hp but that car is 1,000 pounds lighter. A touring car isn't

exactly supposed to be lithe, with the Lexus LC 500 hybrid, you guys, it weighs

in at about 4,400 pounds. The V8, only about 100 pounds lighter. That's

about the same weight as our Honda Pilot camera car, yikes.

Still the LC500 goes 0-60 in 4.4 seconds, and the hybrid speedometer spins

around that far in 4.7 seconds. Imagine what it could do if it went on a diet.

Fuel economy is one place you might gain an advantage with the hybrid LC. Combined

numbers clock in at 30 mpg for the 500h compared to 19 mpg for the V8,

but if you're spending six figures on what's for all intents and purposes a

two seater, do you really care about saving money on gas? As I said earlier

the 500h comes with a cornucopia of safety features including the Lexus

safety system which includes pre-collision warnings, lane keep assist, lane

departure alert, and all-speed dynamic radar cruise control. The Lexus LC has a

fair bit of trunk space, certainly you can squeeze a couple of bags in here for

a weekend trip. Pricing for the V8-powered LC500 starts

at almost $93,000 including destination charges while the

hybrid LC adds a $4,500 premium. Ch-chings on the register

quickly mount with option packages like the $900 head-up display and could

get most buyers into six figures quickly. There's a lot for Lexus to crow about

with the LC500 and 500h, and it's a good thing since the competition

includes notable names like the Mercedes SL the Jaguar F-Type and on the hybrid

side the BMW i8. The Lexus LC isn't just a luxurious grand tourer, it's a

statement car for Lexus that wraps a lot of interesting tech into a ridiculously

attractive package. So, it appears that there is some substance to the LC's

megatron style, now if I personally was buying one...