Lexus LC 500 2017

AthmasThum
Aug 30, 2017
5 min read

One and only variant currently offered in Malaysia

Lexus LC 500 (5.0 naturally aspirated) : RM 940,000 included tax

There is a hybrid model of this car which is powered by a smaller 3.5 litre V6 matched with an electric motor producing combined power of 354 horse power but there's no information about the availability of this variant in Malaysia.

Lexus created this car that cost almost a million ringgit and yet there are reviewers out there telling that the price offered is a bargain. How is it a bargain at such a high price tag?!? So I took the chance to review this car myself during the two day tour of the Lexus LC 500 in Lexus showroom Malacca.

Performance

Engine & transmission

Model: 2UR-GSE

Type :32-valve DOHC, V8, dual VVT-i with Otto/Atkinson cycle

Displacement: 4969 cc

Max power: 470 hp at 7100 rpm

Max torque: 540 Nm at 4800 rpm

0-100 kmph: 4.4 seconds

Transmission: 10-speed direct shift A/T

Configuration: Longitudinal engine and rear wheel drive

Construction : Welded steel and aluminum uni-body

Engine:

This engine is taken from the high performance Lexus IS-F, GS-F and RC-F. I did not get to test drive this car so I don't know how it performs. As I know, it's engine is mounted as far as possible to the rear achieve optimum weight distribution. At low rpm when cruising, it will be using Atkinson cycle (to save fuel but produce less power), and when it rev to higher rpm, it will changes to Otto cycle. There is a possibility that there will be a performance variant of this car, the LC-F in the future but there is not much information about it.

Handling:

It has Lexus Dynamic Handling System. When it reaches high speeds, the car's stability will be controlled by the dynamic rear steering system. This technology is similar with to the four wheel steering, "Hicas" system in the late GTR R-34. The suspension mounting is made out of one whole piece of aluminum to improve rigidity, absolutely no welding is performed.

The signature look of Lexus aggressive front end.

Exterior

This car is based on the Lexus LF-LC design, a new design language debut by Lexus four years ago and they have started to turn their passion into reality by implementing it to all their cars.

At first glance, the exterior design especially its front and rear end looks futuristic to the extent where any car that came out in this year looks dated by its side.

For example:

Aston Martin DB-11 2017

BMW M6 2017

Mercedes Benz AMG GTS 2017

The reason I compare it with these three cars above is because they are all premium front-mid-engine cars. No doubt all of the cars above have enormous amount of power compared to the subtle amount of 470 horse power 5.0 litre V8 by Lexus, but if we were to compare just the look of the car no matter from whichever angle, I think they look years behind the Lexus.

Front end of the car greeted by the iconic Lexus large front grill that narrows down upward, it enhance the air flow at the bottom while creating more complexity.

Simple rear end look with the new LED lights and quad-exhaust.

To me, it's side view does not stand out as it's front and rear view but you can imagine how big is this car by knowing that it is fitted with 21 inches wheels.

The "L"-shaped daytime running lights rest below a new Triple ultra compact LED headlamp unit, it is the tiniest LED projector headlamp ever made in car industry and it looks incredible. This "L"-shaped DRL is not like the typical DRL where you can see LED bulbs, it is LED strip, so it just one smooth light ray.

Closer look on how tiny is it's LED projector.

Rear view featuring an inverted L-shaped turn signal indicator lights and the infinity LED rear-lamp.

This picture was edited to show how the infinity light works as I was not allowed to hold the key and explore the car myself. This rear light is actually off.

Sleek design of side view mirror to match with LF-LC design.

Door handle that comes out automatically after you touch to unlock the car.

The entire roof is made out of carbon fiber.

I was told that Lexus is pursuing perfection, but this is not how it should be on car at this price tag, this is a high end luxury coupe, it should has exhaust straight to the chrome finish trim rather than this cheap looking aluminum exhaust pipe looking obvious inside the exhaust trim.

The 21 inches forged aluminum wheel paired with Bridgestone Potenza S001L specially made for this Lexus.

Interior

The interior build quality is what surprises me most, it has set a new level of luxury compared to any other rival sports coupe, and not what you usually get in a below one million ringgit sports car. It is not even at the Mercedes S-class level of luxury touch, it is more to the Bentley level where carpets are made from thick wools, buttons and handle made from real milled aluminum, fusion of nappa leather and alcantara all over places covering every possible places that touches your skin.

Every single buttons, holder, and handle you can see here is made from aluminum, not a chrome plastic.

Alcantara all over places cover completely the door panel, a-pillar, b-pillar, c-pillar and entire roof.

Very thick nappa leather bucket seat with fusion of alcantara in the middle to offer additional bolstering and lateral support during cornering.

It has 8-way power adjust and 2-way lumber support.

Frame-less window with leather and Alcantara door panel.

The door handle is made from solid milled aluminum that makes you feel extra premium every time you open the door.

Everything is well designed, especially the soft closing center console compartment.

It doesn't have a flat bottom steering wheel but it still looks good and feels solid plus the paddle shifters are made from real magnesium not cheap plastic. All the buttons on the steering feel cool to the touch, which is desired in an expensive car. I couldn't show how the instruments cluster works but it is the same with what is in the Lexus LFA where it is fusion of mechanical ring that moves around on a LCD display.

Video of one of my favorite car reviewer, Bobby Ang from EVO Malaysia.com showing how the ring in that instrument cluster moves.

Infotainment control by touch pad similar to what you have on laptop paired with

Mark Levinson, 13 speakers audio system.

Drive mode selector is made with a precisely fabricated aluminum knob located above the instrument cluster making it different from other car who located it on the center console. This drive mode selector allows you to change 6 driving modes.

Forged carbon door panel, it is similar to the forged carbon Lamborghini use to make the interior and spoilers of HURACÁN PERFORMANTE.

The thick carpet similar to what you would find in Bentley and Rolls Royce.

Door sill made from fusion of polished glossy carbon and unglazed carbon fiber trim.

I was told by the sales consultant that the main intention of this car is comfort followed by modern design and speed. Buying a car with 470 horse power at this price sounded way too much than it should be but after reviewing it myself, I have started to understand the reason behind the price tag. The performance level of this car serve just the right amount of power to match with the purpose of this car, making it unnecessary to have 600 enormous amount of horse power. This is a grand-tourer that emphasize on proper luxury interior and ride quality, not for track day uses. Every parts of this car is crafted to perfection, every touch and visibility feels premium. This is the car that have made Lexus to be comparable with other well established car manufacturer in term of performance and luxury.

Picture gallery