Even the “concept” looked production ready.
Whether you love Lexus’ styling or not, you have to admit the LC coupe is a fantastic looking car. It sports concept looks throughout the exterior, from the slim front and rear lights to its wide rear haunches and its lines and creases. When we saw the LC Convertible Concept at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, we thought Lexus hit upon one of the few ways they could improve the look. We also noted how this “concept” looks remarkably production-ready. Now, we finally have our answer: Lexus will put the LC convertible into production.
The company debuted the production LC convertible at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Weirdly, it sported this digital camouflage — as if it wasn’t insanely obvious what this car what this car was going to look like — but you still get the gist of where Lexus is going with this. The car looks great from a frontal three-quarter view with the hardtop roof removed.
If anything, though, this LC convertible is quite a looker in profile. From the side, you can see the proportions even more clearly, as well as the steeply angled windshield. Unlike some convertibles derived from coupe or sedan ancestors, this doesn’t look gawky. To my mind, it almost looks as if Lexus may have been better off designing this car as a roadster from the start. Never mind the fact that roadsters don’t sell, if the fate of the Mercedes-Benz SLC is any indication.
More details to come
What’s even better is what will likely power the LC convertible. Lexus has not directly confirmed this car’s powertrains, but we’re almost certain it will share what is currently available in the LC coupe. That means the LC 500 convertible will most likely get a 471 horsepower 5.0-liter V8 under the hood. Even if the LC is rather heavy for what it is, and not the last word in speed, having that engine even closer to your ears when the top’s down is just icing on the cake.
Lexus has not announced a launch date, but we expect more information later this year.
