Lexus LC 500 recognised with ‘Car of Texas’ award
The prestigious Texas Auto Roundup took place at Eagle Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas, drawing 49 journalists to test-drive and evaluate vehicles across 14 categories
MUSCAT: The stunning and inspirational Lexus LC shattered expectations in the area of automotive design. Its launch set the tone for many in the industry to gear up for a future that would be lead not just by driving dynamics but by design as well as technology.
Recently the striking LC 500 took home the ‘Car of Texas’ award. The prestigious Texas Auto Roundup took place at Eagle Canyon Raceway in Decatur, Texas, drawing 49 journalists to testdrive and evaluate vehicles across 14 categories.
“Lexus is committed to providing drivers with exceptional craftsmanship, quality and longterm dependability, and the LC 500 remains true to this hallmark with its cutting-edge design, and superior performance and safety features,” said Jeff Bracken, group vice president and general manager, Lexus Division. “We are grateful to the Texas Auto Writers Association for hosting this exciting event and are honoured to be recognised as the Car of Texas.”
“Our journalists had a clear decision after driving vehicles at a new venue this year,” said Michael Marrs, TAWA’s president. “They thought the new Lexus LC stood out among the competitors for its eye-catching looks and refined but muscular performance on the track.”
The Lexus LC is a flagship coupe, which represents the evolution of Lexus as a lifestyle brand that will surprise and delight customers. The car symbolizes the beginning of a new phase for Lexus. Immediately identifiable as a Lexus thanks to its hallmark spindle grille and dynamic character lines, the LC represents the most passionate expression of the brand’s design direction. Independent L-shaped daytime running lights beneath new ultra-compact triple LED headlamps to create the distinctive LC front lighting signature. Powered by a high-performance V8 engine, the Lexus LC 500 exhales through the variable Active Exhaust upon start-up, with the 5-litre naturally aspirated V8 issuing a clarion call to driving enthusiasts. The LC 500 can sprint from zero to 100 km in less than 4.7 seconds. Under acceleration, the LC 500 reveals its character in a continuously rising power curve, with the 471 hp developed at 7,100 rpm and the torque peak of 55.0 kg-m at 4,800 rpm. The fast-revving V8 issues a stunning soundtrack amplified by a special resonance tube connecting the intake to the firewall, plus a standard Active Exhaust that rumbles and roars like a high-performance GT should. The sound has been developed specifically for the LC, to reflect the coupe’s specific performance qualities. The driver can adjust the natural exhaust sound level via the Drive Mode Select system.
The Lexus LC debuts the first 10-speed automatic transmission for a luxury automobile. Smaller and lighter than some 8-speed units, this new transmission executes shifts at speeds rivalling dual-clutch transmissions, yet with the seamless performance and smoothness of a torque converter automatic. The LC allows manual shifting via magnesium paddles.
The Drive Mode Select feature provides integrated control of multiple systems, offering enhanced driving pleasure by allowing the driver to select drive modes suitable for the situation, or to match their preferred driving style.
In addition to the five drive modes set in advance, a Custom Mode has been provided, enabling the user to freely combine each mode. SPORT S+ extracts the most from the powertrain and transmission shifts and fully opens the baffles in the Active Exhaust under acceleration.
Lexus, which introduced the world’s first luxury hybrid 13 years ago, developed the world’s first Multi-Stage Hybrid System specifically for the LC 500h. Like other Lexus hybrid configurations, the Multi-Stage Hybrid System teams the gasoline engine with two electric motors/generators, but similarities end there. The Atkinsoncycle 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine uses D-4S direct fuel injection, and lightweight valvetrain components allow a 6,600-rpm redline, with Dual VVT-i ensuring ample torque across the engine speed range. The combined system output is 354 hp, yet that figure does not fully indicate the LC 500h’s performance potential.
The dynamic luxury theme of the exterior is carried through into the LC’s cabin, which brings together elegance, quality and sophistication with a driver-focused cockpit. The low instrument panel position, together with the low hood line and narrow A-pillars, give the low-seated driver a commanding view of the road. All driving controls are easy to reach without altering one’s posture. Lexus positioned the information displays at the same height, to reduce the degree of eye movement required to read them. The instrument binnacle houses the latest version of the TFT display technology introduced in the Lexus LFA supercar, including a moving centre ring. Comfort and luxury are no less thorough. The LC’s exclusive seats feel as good as they look, with a new two-part construction technique where the main part of the seatback drapes over the shoulder area and then wraps around the seatback.
In Oman, every Lexus vehicle comes with special benefits and privileges such as 4 years/100,000km (whichever is earlier) Manufacturer’s Warranty and 24 hours of on-road assistance from AAA.