V8 power rarer in Australia as luxury coupe exits
The end is here for the Lexus LC, with the V8-powered LC500 confirmed to be facing the final curtain later this year.
Lexus Australia has announced the LC coupe is departing local showrooms, set to be farewelled with a limited edition to celebrate the V8 engine.
In a media release, Lexus confirmed the LC has reached the end of its life almost 10 years after it was revealed in 2017, with the LC500 Special Edition Coupe becoming its swansong.
Already sold out for an undisclosed price, the LC500 Special Edition Coupe looks largely the same as the Pinnacle Edition which was revealed in Japan 13 months ago, but exclusively in Oborogin dark grey paintwork.
The coupe features front bumper strakes, a subtle rear wing and black exterior trim, as well as 21-inch forged alloy wheels.
Inside, its cabin receives black and white two-tone leather, an embroidered dashboard, and carbon fibre sill plates.
Under the bonnet of the LC500 is a 5.0-litre V8 engine – previously shared with the now-defunct IS F, RC F and GS F – which continues to produce 351kW and 540Nm, driving the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The V8 has traditionally been far more popular than the hybrid 3.5-litre V6-powered LC500h. Last year, Lexus sold just 56 examples of the LC in Australia, with 54 LC500 V8s and two hybrid LC500hs contributing to the total
There’s no plans to send off the convertible version of the LC, despite the drop-top getting its own Pinnacle Edition in Japan last year.
The Lexus LC was removed from sale in the US – the brand’s top region – earlier this year, foreshadowing its Australian and global exit.
“The Lexus LC holds a special place in the heart of our brand and for its many dedicated fans and owners in Australia,” said Lexus Australia Chief Executive, Jack Hobbs.
“It has been a true halo model, a flagship that perfectly blended a stunning, convention-breaking design with the luxurious performance and meticulous craftsmanship that define Lexus.
“As we celebrate the LC’s legacy and offer a final Special Edition to a select few, we also look to the future. The spirit and passion of the LC will undoubtedly inspire the next generation of Lexus vehicles as we push the boundaries of technology and design to continue creating amazing experiences for our customers.”
As previously reported, the future of the LC nameplate hangs in the balance, with some Japanese media suggesting it could be merged with the smaller RC – akin to Mercedes’s segment-blending CLE – on a shared Toyota platform.
At the top end of its lineup, Lexus is expected to launch a production version of the LFA Concept, an electric coupe running on the same all-new aluminium platform which underpins the twin-turbo V8 Toyota GR GT.
