Lexus LC

LC 500 (URZ100)

The LC 500 grand tourer was introduced in January 2016 at the North American International Auto Show as a 2-door fastback coupé. Its pricing is at under $100,000. It will share the same 5.0-litre 348 kW (467 bhp) 2UR-GSE V8 engine with the RC F and GS F, but will have 351 kW (471 hp) because of an improved intake and exhaust. It will be paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission.

LC 500h (GWZ100)

The LC 500h was announced in January 2016 and full specifications were released in February 2016.

It will keep the rear-wheel-drive drivetrain. It features a 3.5-liter V6 engine, a hybrid transmission, and a lithium-ion battery pack with a combined 264 kW (354 bhp) output.

Exterior Design

The grille pattern is a gradient, with the tightly compressed mesh at the top transitioning to a wider diamond at the bottom. Note the top of the spindle grille does not have a chrome surround — this is a break from the traditional Lexus grille design.

The overall length of the LC is 4,750mm (187.4 inches), with a wheelbase of 2,870mm (113 inches). The front and rear overhangs are noticeably short — the front is just 920mm (36.22 inches), and the back is 970mm (38.19 inches). Central to the LC design is the spindle grille, and the hourglass shape can be seen in the way the front and rear fenders flare out and the door panels are pulled inward. The lines from the front fender build up the A-pillar to form the boundaries of the blacked-out roof — Lexus cites “the traditional Japanese sword” as the inspiration for the sharp edges of the C-pillar molding.Once again, the spindle grille can be seen clearly in the central rear design — all other elements are recessed and pushed to the far corners.

Lighting

In order to fit a headlight into the small overhang between the bumper and wheels, Lexus engineers had to develop an ultra-compact LED triple-projector.

Interior

The LC interior is split into two distinct zones — the driver side is focused on easy access to all functionality, while the passenger side is shielded and much simpler. The center of the interior experience is the steering wheel, which has a varying circumference to accommodate for different driving styles. In order to allow for easier grip and improve the feel, the paddle shifters are made from magnesium alloy. The 8-inch Thin Film Transistor LCD circular dial embedded in the instrument panel is a direct descendent of the LFA design — it moves side-to-side as the driver moves through the various menus and settings, and the appearance will change depending on the selected drive mode. Also borrowed from the LFA is the Drive Mode Select control, which is placed to the side of the instrument panel.The LC is the first car to be developed on the new Lexus front-engine/rear-wheel drive platform, dubbed the Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L) platform. The GA-L platform will serve as the starting point for all future rear-wheel drive Lexus vehicles of the future, and it’s meant to provide lower overall mass, improved front/rear weight distribution (54/46 front/rear balance for the gas model, 52/48 for the hybrid), and a low center of gravity. The platform design allowed engineers to push the wheels out further towards the corners of the vehicle, reducing the height of the hood while still accommodating the new multilink suspension. The engine position is also lowered 10mm and pushed 50mm closer to the center of the vehicle — this centers the weight of the engine and brings it closer to the drive, mitigating the load shifting from side to side. Run-flat tires are also used to avoid the need for a spare, and the vehicle battery has been relocated to the trunk to help with the overall balance.

Body Rigidity

There are significant reinforcements throughout the LC that provide rigidity and increase stability, starting with ample adhesive — there are 73 square meters (786 square feet) of glue throughout the upper and lower body, compared to just 21 square meters (226 square feet) used in the current IS sedan. The frame is a mixture of ultra-high-tensile and high-tensile steel, while the hood and fenders are made from aluminum. The doors utilize Carbon Fiber Reinforced Sheet Molding Compound (CSMC) for the inner panel, while the outer shell is 6000 series aluminum — this makes the complete door 47% lighter compared to using steel. Die-cast aluminum front suspension towers have been used instead of steel, providing almost double the rigidity with 42% less weight. In a first for Lexus, self-piercing rivets have been employed to join aluminum and steel panels — used instead of spot welding, these rivets need only a single entrance point and help to maintain structural integrity. To further enhance rigidity, six straight-bar braces have been used to lock the engine inside its compartment and prevent any minor motion.

Suspension

In order to maintain the appearance of the LF-LC concept, Lexus engineers had to develop a front suspension that would fit under the low hood. The result is a new double-joint multi-link suspension — the forged aluminum upper arm is secured at two points, which ensures all movements are mirrored from the lower arm. The double-joint design reduces the necessary height of the suspension system, as placement is lower than a traditional single-joint setup.

Aerodynamics

Small stabilizing fins behind the side mirrors are used to pull air close to the vehicle, and aero ducts in both the front bumper and side skirting feeds air across the sidewalls of all four tires for greater straight-line stability. Underneath the LC, all components are covered by an extensive underbody plane — the covering raises up and meshes with the muffler design to form a massive integrated air diffuser. For further stability, an active rear wing is automatically raised when the LC reaches 50 mph (80 km/h) to reduce lift at higher speeds.

Lexus LC 500 Powertrain

The 2UR-GSE 5.0-liter V8 powering the Lexus LC 500 is an updated version of the engine found in the RC F & GS F. The engine is a naturally-aspirated 32-valve V8, and features D-4S direct fuel injection, Atkinson cycle operation, and optimized VVT-i. The unit produces 471 horsepower at 7100 rpm, 398 lb.-ft of torque at 4800 rpm, and allows the car to reach 60 miles per hour in under 4.5 seconds. Attached to the 2UR-GSE engine is a Direct Shift 10-speed automatic transmission, marking the first time a 10-speed transmission has been used in a luxury vehicle.

Lexus LC 500h Powertrain

The LC 500h introduces the first Multi-Stage Hybrid system from Lexus, and its goal is to bring a new level of performance to hybrid technology. At the heart is the 8GR-FXS 3.5-liter, 24-valve, naturally aspirated V6 with dual intelligent variable valve timing, with 295 horsepower and 257 lb.ft of torque. The LC 500h also has an electric motor to boost power and improve efficiency — it’s the first Lexus to use lithium-ion batteries rather than a nickel–metal hydride battery. This new battery pack is 20% smaller and 44 pounds lighter than the unit used in the LS 600h, meaning less weight and more efficient use of space. It fits between the rear seats and the trunk, and has 84 battery cells producing 310.8 volts. the power coming from the V6 and the electric motor are amplified through a four-speed automatic transmission embedded inside a continuous variable transmission. This “dual” transmission provides stepped access to the torque generated by the electric motor, and recreates a 10-speed transmission with three virtual gears between each of the automatic transmission’s physical gears.

Lexus Dynamic Handling with Limited Slip Differential

One of the only standalone LC options is Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH), an active rear steering system that augments the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) and Electric Power Steering (EPS). These systems work together to increase maneuverability.

Exhaust System

The LC uses a clamshell muffler design that can switch exhaust gas routes — the valves remain closed at low speeds and cruising to minimize the sound, but on acceleration, the valve open to improve engine output and make some serious noise.

Brakes

Compared to the rest of the LC, the brakes are a rather simple affair — there are 6-piston front calipers and 4-piston rear calipers, both with ventilated discs and high-friction pads.

Drive Mode Select

Both the LC 500 & LC 500h are equipped with the Lexus Drive Mode Select, the system than enables the driver to customize the vehicle dynamics.

Technology

The next-generation Lexus infotainment system will debut with the LC, featuring improved voice recognition and a larger haptic Remote Touch controller. The LC will also be the first Lexus to offer a new large color Heads-Up Display that projects onto the windshield in front of the driver — it will be available as a standalone option.

Audio

The standard audio system is a Pioneer twelve speaker surround sound system, with four double speakers in the A and C pillars, two woofers in the doors, a midrange speaker in the center console, a subwoofer in the back deck, and a 8-channel Class-D amplifier under the trunk. The step-up from standard is the Mark Levinson Reference Audio System with thirteen speakers and an 11-channel Class-D amplifier pushing out 915 watts. The ML system also features Clari-Fi, a music restoration technology that improves the quality of digitized music.

Exterior Colors

Ultra White, Obsidian, Liquid Platinum, Atomic Silver, Nebula Gray Pearl, Caviar, Matador Red Mica, Infrared, Nightfall Mica, and Autumn Shimmer.

Interior Colors

Mid Brown, Rioja Red, Black, and the vibrant Bespoke White.

Wheels

Three different wheel designs will be offered — a 20-inch cast aluminum wheel will be standard, and will feature a hollow rim to reduce weight and absorb tire noise. There’s also an optional 20-inch forged aluminum wheel. The Sport package gets an upgraded 21-inch forged aluminum wheel. As a way to reduce the weight of a spare, the LC will comes standard with run-flat tires. The increased stiffness of reinforced side walls has been factored into the suspension, and will allow for up to 100 miles (160 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h) should the wheel be punctured.

The standard 20-inch tires are made by Bridgestone, and measure 245/45RF20 in the front and 275/40RF20 in the back. The Sport package will have 21-inch wheels — the front tires will measure 245/40RF21 and be made by Bridgestone, while the rear tires will be manufactured by either Dunlop or Michelin and will measure 275/35RF21.

Sports Package

There is an optional Sport package for the USA — this will include an optional Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) roof, the speed-activated rear wing, and the 21-inch forged aluminum wheels.

Safety

The LC 500 & LC 500h will come standard with the Lexus Safety System +, a package of active safety features.

As an additional safety measure, the LC employs a pop-up hood in the event of a front impact with a pedestrian — the hood uses a series of pistons that rapidly elevates the hood in hopes of lessening personal injury.

Manufacturing & Assembly

The LC will be built at the Lexus Motomachi facility, the same plant that produced the 500 LFA supercars — the factory has been reconfigured specifically for the LC, with a new production line finished in white from floor to ceiling. Many of the Takumi master craftsmen that built the LFA will continue their work on the LC, specifically when it comes to carbon fiber components, leatherwork, and paint. Each team member on the assembly line will spend as much as 20 minutes working on every car, and final quality checks will be performed in a silent glass-walled inspection booth.