Confirmed: Lexus LC Convertible

by Matt Posky

July 15th, 2019 12:04 PM

We’re committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using links in our articles. Learn more here

Earlier in the month, Lexus brought a convertible LC to the United Kingdom’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. While the car came clad in silvery camouflage and was officially referred to as a “prototype,” we didn’t take it all that seriously. Drop-top cars haven’t been in vogue for quite some time and — if we’re being honest — the LC hasn’t been super popular either.

A lot of that has to do with the coupe boasting an entry point of nearly six-figures. Sleek and sexy, the LC makes a wonderful grand tourer for those seeking something a bit more plush than a Porsche 911 and are willing to sacrifice a bit of performance for said luxury. However most people with the means to pick between the two will still select the more-expensive, and hardcore, German.

For holdover convertible enthusiasts, there wasn’t even a choice to be made. Porsche was offering an open-air experience while Toyota’s luxury arm was not — and had not since 2015. But that’s about to change, because Lexus has confirmed that the LC convertible will eventually enter production.

The Japanese automaker verified the move with Automotive News on Monday, saying it would begin assembly “in the near future.” But it was dropping unsubtle hints to the rest of us prior to that ( including a concept), suggesting an open-air LC would broaden the company’s lineup and give “a sense of a completeness to the brand’s flagship models.” It even referenced a probable production model, without explicitly stating there would actually be one. Now we know better.

For our money, this seems like a decent decision. While your author prefers being exposed to the elements on two wheels, rather than four, exceptions can be made for a more-traditional GT — which is what the LC is. Lexus’ current flagship (RIP, LFA) is not so much about achieving the best lap times and seeing what the car is like a ten tenths, it’s about making a visual statement and giving the auto an aggressive nudge here and there during a weekend road trip to somewhere nice.

Details on the car are, as of yet, nonexistent. Presumably it’ll be the standard LC but, you know, without a roof. Available in LC 500 and LC 500h hybrid formats, the current LC line starts at $93,225 (after delivery fees) for a coupe producing 471 horsepower from its 5.0-liter V8 with power routed to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. Optioning the hybrid reduces horsepower and raises the price… but it’s your money.

Lexus said to expect more details later this year.

[Images: Lexus]

#Convertibles #GrandTourers #Gt #LC #Lexus #LexusLc500 #ProductPlanning

Matt Posky

Consumer advocate tracking industry trends, regulation, and the bitter-sweet nature of modern automotive tech. Research focused and gut driven.

More by Matt Posky

Comments

Join the conversation

5 of 14 comments

Peter Gazis on Jul 15, 2019

Lexus fans because at your age: 10) you don’t want anything to get between you and heaven. 9) you can take full advantage bald head aerodynamics 8) American & European cars are just too fast. 7) you don’t need Viagra to get the top up. 6) just crapped your pants now you don’t have to smell it 5) You’re not backing up traffic. You’re leading your own parade. 4) Panoramic roofs don’t come in bifocal. 3) Melanoma just be happy you’re not in a Coma. 2) who says your unattractive. On a scale of 1 to 10 urinate. And the #1 reason to buy a Lexus LC convertible. Face it, you’re kids and grandkids are a bunch of ungrateful pricks. They’re just lucky they came along long before DNA tests. Mine as well spend all your money before you die.

Like Reply
- See 1 previous
- ToddAtlasF1 on Jul 16, 2019
  
  I really feel for Buick. With full employment, they're having a heck of a time finding quality shills to execute their social media strategy. CarMax says only Cadillac buyers are older than Buick buyers, and the Chinese have to rely on the likes to you to peddle Envisions? Poor babies.
  
  Like
- Peter Gazis on Jul 16, 2019
  
  ToddAtlasF1 Buick killed the Lacrosse Lexus ES sales are up CarMax sells used vehicles their statistics lag the overall market. Your facts are as outdated as Toyota’s product line.
  
  Like
Stuki on Jul 16, 2019

Windshield is too raked for a 'vert. C'mon Lexus, if Honda could make aerodynamics work with a proper windshield rake in the S2000 back in the day, You can do it now. It can't be that impossible.

Like Reply
- ToddAtlasF1 on Jul 16, 2019
  
  I was once a passenger in an S2000 as it was driven through a swarm of cicadas. This windshield would have been just great.
  
  Like

Recent Comments

285exp If the conversion to EVs was really so vital to solve an existential climate change crisis, it wouldn’t matter whether they were built by US union workers or where the batteries and battery materials came from.
El scotto Another EBPosky, "EVs are Stoopid, prove to me water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius" article.It was never explained if the rural schools own the buses or if the school bus routes are contracted out. If the bus routes are contracted out, will Carpenter or Bluebird offer an electric school bus? Flexmatt never stated the range of brand-unspecified school bus. Will the min-mart be open at the end of the 179-mile drive? No cell coverage? Why doesn't the bus driver have an emergency sat phone?Two more problems Mr. Musk could solve.
RICK Long time Cadillac admirer with 89 Fleetwood Brougham deElegance and 93 Brougham, always liked Eldorado until downsized after 76. Those were the days. Sad to see what now wears Cadillac name.
Carsofchaos Bike lanes are in use what maybe 10 to 12 hours a day? The other periods of the day they aren't in use whatsoever. A bike can carry one person and a vehicle can carry multiple people. It's very simple math to figure out that a bike lane in no way shape or form will handle more people than cars will.The bigger issue is double parked delivery vehicles. They are often double parked and taking up lanes because there are cars parked on the curb. You combine that with a bike lane and pedestrians Crossing wherever they feel like it and it's a recipe for disaster. I think if we could just go back to two lanes of traffic things would flow much better. I started coming to the city in 2003 before a lot of these bike lanes were implemented and the traffic is definitely much worse now than it was back then. Sadly at this point I don't really think there is a solution but I can guarantee that congestion pricing will not fix this problem.
Charles When I lived in Los Angeles I saw a 9-5 a few times and instanly admired the sweeping low slug aerodynamic jet tech influenced lines and all that beautiful glass. The car was very different from what I expected from a Saab even though the 900 Turbo was nice. A casual lady friend had a Saab Sonnet, never drove or rode in it but nonetheless chilled my enthusiasm and I eventually forgot about Saabs. In the following years I have had seven Mercedes's, three or four Jaguars even two Daimlers both the 250 V-8 and the massive and powerful Majestic Major. Daily drivers of a brand new 300ZX 2+2 and Lincolns, plus a few diesel trucks. Having moved to my big farm in central New York, trucks and SUV's are the standard, even though I have a Mercedes S500 in one of my barns. Due to circumstances with my Ford Explorer and needing a second driver I found the 2006 9-5 locally. Very little surface rust, none undercarriage, original owner, garage kept, wife driver and all the original literature and a ton of paid receipts and history. The car just turned 200,000 miles and I love it. Feels new like I'm back in my Nissan 300ZX with a lot more European class and ready power with the awesome turbo. So fun to drive, the smooth power and torque is incredible! Great price paid to justify going through the car and giving her everything she needs, i.e., new tires, battery, all shocks, struts, control arms, timing chain and rust removable to come, plus more. The problem now is I want to restore it and likely put it in my concrete barn and only drive in good weather. As to the writer, Alex Dykes, I take great exception calling the 9-5 Saab "ugly," finding myself looking back at her beauty and uniqueness. Moreover, I get new looks from others not quite recognizing, like the days out west with my more expensive European cars. There are Saabs eclipsing 300K rourinely and one at a million miles and I believe one car with 500K on the original engine. So clearly, this is a keeper, in love already with my SportCombi. I want to be in that elite club.