Confirmed: Lexus LC Convertible

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky

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]

Matt Posky
Matt Posky

A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.

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  • Peter Gazis 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.

    • See 1 previous
    • Peter Gazis 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.

  • Stuki 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.

    • ToddAtlasF1 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.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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