I took possession of the 2023 LEXUS LC-C 500 SPORT+, and needed to put it by means of its paces on the winding mountainous roads of Snowdonia Nationwide Park, and the shoreline of North Wales. When the automobile arrived my first thought was, “WOW”, what a stunning-looking automobile, lovely and elegantly designed streamlined physique styling. The color, I believe you’ll agree, was wonderful, Sonic Crimson with a Black convertible roof and polished 21-inch solid alloy wheels. It sat exterior my home purring like a giant recreation cat. It has the look and prowess of a Tremendous Automobile. Actually a beast of a machine, but sustaining LEXUS’ famend tremendous luxurious high quality.
This luxurious grand tourer was launched within the UK in 2020. Within the first Quarter of 2022, there have been solely 181 on the street within the UK. So far as I’m conscious, from a little analysis, on the time of writing this text, this quantity has not elevated significantly. We should always severely ask the query, why? Is it because of the transition to electrical or, is it as a result of individuals’s choice is now SUVs, and that two-door grand touring coupes and convertibles are out of vogue?
Efficiency Styling and Construct
The LC-C 500 speaks volumes, and that’s even earlier than you get in and press the ignition button. Once you do press that button, I do know it feels like a cliché, however individuals within the fast neighborhood bodily cease, flip and stare, that is because of the sound of the 7,300rpm, naturally aspirated 5-litre, 471-horsepower, V8 engine, with a ten pace Direct Shift automated transmission. I’m certain I learn someplace that it took 3 years for Lexus to develop the proper stability and pitch of the exhaust notes. No superchargers or turbochargers right here, sustaining engine reliability and longevity.
I’ve already in contrast the LC-C 500 to a recreation cat, this cat is the quickest animal on land, the Cheetah. The view from the entrance, the spindle grille, jogs my memory of the cheetah’s facial markings known as “malar stripes”, and the headlights of the animal’s eyes. The construct like a Cheetah is modern and chic. Though not as fast because the Cheetah it does nevertheless are available in as a detailed second, attaining 0-62mph in 5 seconds.
Once I look intently on the entrance and rear of the automobile, I additionally see variations of the Lexus “L” brand, subtly duplicated in numerous sizes and configurations, inverted and or mirrored relying on placement. I consider these might be seen within the rear mild mounts, the entrance operating lights the spindle grille and the entrance spoiler.
Over the course of the week, and as might be seen from the images, I drove on numerous forms of roads in numerous circumstances, from twin carriageways to mountainous winding slim roads, and roads inside the Metropolis. Sometimes within the solar with the roof down, sadly although, just for a few days, as the remainder of the time it rained extensively, this, nevertheless, didn’t dampen the LC-C 500 expertise, excuse the pun.
I’m normally apprehensive when driving Rear Wheel Drive autos, however the LC-C 500’s low driving place, clean and responsive steering, glorious cornering and adaptive variable suspension, shortly relieved this. There are 4 driving modes that may be chosen from a toggle positioned on the left-hand facet of the instrument panel. Eco, Consolation, Sport and Sport+. Every time the driving mode is modified the digital instrument’s rev-counter adjustments, including to the driving force’s dynamic expertise. There’s additionally a management button on the steering wheel that enables the driving force to maneuver the rev-counter over to the proper, revealing numerous features, and permitting the driving force to manage these features inside the instrument panel.
On the opposite facet of the Instrument panel is one other toggle for the soundness management, and Snow mode. I didn’t have any motive to regulate.
The drive was distinctive in all modes. Essentially the most exhilarating was clearly the Sports activities+ mode. An incredible sound, and it was chomping on the bit to go, a lot in order that often you attain the pace restrict with out realising. Important due to this fact to maintain your eyes on the HUD speedometer.
The exhilarating and intoxicating tones of the naturally aspirated V8 engine modified relying on the driving mode chosen, RPMs, and whether or not the conveniently sized guide shift paddles have been used, particularly to downshift shortly. It’s mentioned that the LC-C 500’s sound might be traced again to the Lexus LFA.
Inside Design And Consolation
The inside is positively luxurious, the feel of the supplies and the curvature within the door panelling flows from the passenger’s facet, up and over the uncluttered dashboard, which permits excellent imaginative and prescient of the street, seamlessly by means of to the driving force’s door, with the one protrusions being the armrests containing the window and mirror controls, and the elegantly formed inside door deal with, solid out of polished aluminium which seem to drift in situ. The management knobs and buttons are once more extremely polished aluminium, all of which deal with and tickle your sense of contact.
The aniline leather-trimmed sports activities seats really feel as in the event that they have been custom-made to suit my body. The stitching patterns on the seats actually do add additional class to areas which might be in most different vehicles drab and boring in look. The rear of the headrests are prominently embossed with the Lexus brand. There are additionally built-in neck heaters within the driver and passenger headrests for these chilly days with the roof down.
The digital instrument panel, the place much less is extra, was simple to learn and was supplemented on the driving force’s windscreen, with the Heads-Up Show, HUD, which I discovered to be very correct in displaying the ever-changing street pace indicators. There was even a graphic inside the tachometer to point the progress of the opening and shutting of the convertible roof, which might be operated when driving as much as 30mph.
The cabin can be full with Nanoe expertise, purifying the air and deodorising the seats when the roof is up.
I significantly discovered the driving place to be very snug.
Audio and Multimedia System
The 8-inch TFT color multimedia and data show is well-designed and subtly integrated inside the dashboard, in order to not hinder the view of the street. It’s appropriate with each Apple Automobile Play and Android Auto. It was easy to attach my telephone utilizing Bluetooth, phone calls have been clear and the speaker system had a unbelievable sound, particularly when taking part in music tracks. This pack included the non-compulsory Mark Levinson Premiere Sound System, the rear speaker of which was cleverly positioned between the 2 again seats.
The Infotainment system was operated utilizing a touchpad which is now outdated. Working this whereas driving just isn’t a good suggestion, it is vitally delicate and awkward, wants your consideration and is time-consuming to get to and set the quite a few features. I need to admit although, for a number of the in-car features there have been various choices however they’re restricted to turning the heating on, up or down, turning on the AC or altering radio channels. Nevertheless, there are additionally numerous built-in switches on the three-spoke, leather-bound heated steering wheel, that may also be used. As I acquired used to the touchpad, its operation wasn’t so laborious. There have been nevertheless some settings I couldn’t, and wouldn’t change, while driving.
The LC-C 500 can be fitted with a CD participant, which in my view, is redundant having clearly been outdated by downloadable playlists, even for somebody of my age. There’s additionally nowhere accessible to retailer the CDs!
Issues I appreciated
Certainly the physique design and styling with the large rear wheel arches and the luxurious inside.
The Heads-Up Show.
Security options on the cruise management. The radar system overrides the driving force’s cruise management instruction, mechanically slowing the automobile all the way down to hold a secure distance from the automobile in entrance. Lane Retaining Help was additionally accessible.
When turning the ignition off, the steering wheel retracts and the driving force’s seat strikes to a non-driving place mechanically. Each the driving force’s seat and steering wheel mechanically adjusts to the driving force’s pre-set place when the Ignition button is pressed, and likewise, with out urgent the ignition button, once you insert the driving force’s seatbelt into the seatbelt clip.
With the ability to set the wing mirrors to tilt for reverse parking. This was achieved by choosing reverse gear and adjusting the mirrors for the required view. Subsequent time you choose reverse the mirrors will mechanically modify to the required place. Ultimate for guaranteeing you don’t kerb the 21-inch solid alloy wheels when reversing.
For a 5 litre V8 I used to be stunned on the gasoline financial system, I did nevertheless primarily drive in Eco Mode, solely often switching to Sports activities+ Mode. Gas consumption is recorded as being 24.1mpg mixed, WLTP.
Screenwash that deploys by means of the wiper blades moderately than from the bonnet up onto the windscreen.
Issues I Didn’t Like
In-car connectivity. The USB ports within the centre console didn’t seem to cost my telephone when related. I had to make use of a 12v plug in adaptor and charging cable.
There isn’t any room in any respect for rear passengers. I’m vertically challenged, and at 5’8’’ the again of my seat when driving, and extra so when not, was nonetheless pushed up towards the rear seat. I don’t consider it is a 2+2. The rear 2 seats are mainly a parcel shelf. Nevertheless, in its defence, you don’t purchase the LC-C 500 to hold passengers within the again.
Boot opening utilizing the important thing fob. This was irritating, I needed to get actually near the boot and wave the important thing fob round for the boot lid to open. After a number of makes an attempt and additional inspection, I discovered the hidden boot opening button on the left-hand nook of the rear proper mild cluster, which was superb. There’s no automated boot closing mechanism, you must pull down the boot from contained in the boot lid to shut it, and usually, you additionally needed to push the boot all the way down to safe it.
Security and Technological Facets
Lexus Security System +
Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Visitors Alert
Adaptive Variable suspension
Car Stability Management.
Onlooker Feedback
I do know it feels like a cliché, nevertheless, attributable to its rarity, 181 on the UK roads, it does appeal to an enormous quantity of consideration. Feedback acquired have been:
“What a fantastic-looking automobile”
“What’s it, it seems to be like an idea automobile”
While parked up one passerby quizzed me for quarter-hour, and as you’ll be able to think about, I used to be very happy to oblige and provides him a tour.
Abstract
From a life-style perspective, the LC-C 500 is mostly a two-seater, with a parcel shelf changing the 2 rear seats. The boot seems to be small however is greater than satisfactory with a 149-litre capability. I managed to suit a small 16-pack of 500ml bottled water, a health club bag, two small grocery purchasing luggage, and a 20Kg bag of kiln dried logs, in a single go. The boot is certainly sufficiently big for a few in a single day luggage, or, small weekend suitcases.
The LC-C 500 actually has the look of a Supercar. It is a elegant and elegantly designed grand touring convertible, constructed for pace. It’s exhilarating to drive in whichever mode. I do know that if I used to be available in the market to improve my present car, this might completely have my closest consideration. I’ve already mentioned it, however it wants reiterating, it is a uncommon automobile, within the sense that there should not many on the UK roads, it is a unhappy reality and with the governments mandate of banning the sale of recent combustion engine autos, and trying to transform the general public to EVs by 2030, will this make it much more so over the subsequent few years. I hope not, as past a doubt, it could be an excellent disgrace. In case you are involved about your emissions and carbon footprint however don’t wish to totally convert to EVs, Lexus does a Hybrid model, the LC-C 500h with a 3.5 Litre V6 engine. In case you are available in the market for a convertible grand tourer and wish to stand out from different manufacturers, I’d suggest you pop into your native Lexus showroom. The most important factor I actually didn’t like concerning the LC-C 500, was seeing it drive away on the finish of the week!!
The LC-C 500 was honoured because the Greatest Open Prime within the 2021 UK Automobile of the 12 months Awards. Previous to this, it additionally achieved the worldwide Greatest Luxurious Automobile accolade introduced by the Ladies’s World Automobile of the 12 months Awards.
Lastly, if it’s luxurious, magnificence, efficiency, and reliability you’re searching for, this grand tourer ought to be close to the highest of your record.
