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...
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