Weird, but wonderful
Once upon a time, Lexus made a supercar called the LF-A and it enthralled all those who drove it. It showed that Lexus could do so much more than make soft SUVS for the suburbs. But Lexus only made 500 of them. Finally, it seems, the LF-A has a proper successor. The all-new LC500 grand-touring coupe came out of left field this year. It looks unusual and intriguing — both inside and out — in an automotive landscape that tends towards safe and similar. That is the great triumph of the LC500. Its everyday usability and rev-happy V8 engine only sweeten the deal. The smartest Smart car is all new for next year, and crammed with more battery power than ever before. The new Electric Drive now has around 130 kilometres of range. It is silent, eco-friendly, and eminently parkable. Ideal city transport, but also surprisingly quick and utterly joyful to drive. It’s like a hoverboard for adults.