After being first revealed at the Detroit Auto Show 2016 almost 18 months ago and looking unashamedly like a concept car, the 2017 Lexus LC range grand tourer is finally on sale in Australia. Whilst not a huge seller for the brand in Australia, Lexus still believes that around 100 will be sold before the end of 2017.
Both the V8-powered LC500 and V6 hybrid LC500h are in Lexus dealerships this week, and are identically priced and well equipped at $190,000 plus on-road costs. Lexus Australia predicts that 80 percent of LC sales will be attributed to the V8 LC500.
The 2017 Lexus LC500 utilises the same 5.0-litre V8 that’s used in other Lexus models such as the RC F, and in this tune produces 351kW of power at a stratospheric 7,100rpm and 540Nm of torque, and is matched to a ten-speed automatic transmission. Lexus lists a 0-100km/h sprint of just 4.7 seconds, and an electronically limited top speed of 270km/h.
Choose an LC500h however, and the 5.0-litre V8 is swapped for a 3.5-litre V6 with a 300Nm Lithium-Ion battery pack. Total output for the LC500h is 264kW and 500Nm, enough to send the LC500h to 100km/h only 0.3 seconds slower than the LC500 at 5.0. Top speed is slightly lower, at an electronically limited 250km/h. The LC500h drives through a combination of a four-speed and CVT automatic gearbox, which gives a combined ten total ratios.
Lexus lists fuel consumption for the LC500 at 11.6L/100km with emissions of 267g/km of CO2. Choose the LC500h, and this drops to 6.7L/100km and 152g/km. Lexus claims a kerb weight of between 1,935 and 2,020kg.
Adaptive suspension also features on both versions with Lexus claiming that the rear-end is of a particularly compact design to allow for a lower centre of gravity. This also allows ample space for the LC500h’s rear-mounted battery pack and also supposedly allows for an almost-perfect weight distribution. Both the LC500 and LC500h ride on massive 21-inch alloy wheels with Michelin run-flat tyres.
Being part of the Lexus family, the LC500 and LC500h are very well equipped for the money. Standard equipment includes a 10.3-inch infotainment system with satellite navigation and SUNA live traffic updates, a 918-watt 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, full LED lighting, a panoramic glass roof, a colour heads-up display, dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated front seats with 12-way adjustment and six drive modes.
Active safety equipment is also taken care of with the standard Lexus Safety System+, which incorporates adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic high beam, blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, a reversing camera, eight airbags and a tyre-pressure monitor for the LC’s run-flat tyres.
Only one option is available on both 2017 Lexus LC500 models, the Enhancement Package for $15,000. This adds four-wheel steering with a variable gear ratio steering which allows for the turning circle to be reduced by 25 percent, a limited-slip differential for the LC500h which is already standard on the LC500, an active rear spoiler that deploys at 80km/h, a carbon fibre roof in place of a glass roof, a combination of leather/Alcantara upholstery with ten-way powered front sports seats and carbon fibre scuff plates.
Both the 2017 Lexus LC500 and LC500h are in Lexus dealerships now, ready to be stared and drooled at.