I must admit that I used to view Lexus as a stodgy brand.

Sure, they built luxurious cars that appealed to many people, but I always felt as if their designs were too bland and conservative.

My impression of the brand started to change after I drove the Lexus IS F and the Lexus RC F.

These cars impressed me with their design, luxury, and performance.

Lexus has stepped up their game with the reveal of the all-new LC 500 luxury coupe.

This new flagship coupe makes the strongest statement yet about Lexus’ future product direction.

The Lexus LC 500 shares many of the design elements, proportions, and visual dynamism of the LC-LF concept car that inspired it.

Power for the LC 500 is derived from a high-revving 5.0-liter V8 engine.

The all-aluminum, 32-valve V8’s output targets 467 HP and 389 lb.-ft. of torque.

Helping power transfer to the rear wheels is a newly developed 10-speed automatic transmission—the first-ever in a luxury automobile.

This transmission is matched to a new electric control system with software that helps anticipate the driver’s inputs by monitoring acceleration, braking, and lateral g forces.

This drivetrain propels the Lexus LC 500 from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.5 seconds.

A rear diffuser and available active rear spoiler help manage airflow during performance driving.

The car rides on machined cast aluminum 20-in. or available 21-in. forged aluminum wheels.

Inside, the LC 500 continues the aggressive, performance-based design aesthetic.

Lexus engineers put considerable effort into creating an engaging yet seductive interior atmosphere for the driver, with an emphasis on soft-touch surfaces and luxurious accent materials.

Particular attention has been paid to the steering wheel design, with a change in the cross-section around its circumference to allow for variations in grip and twisting of the wrist.

New, larger magnesium alloy paddle shifters allow for easier hooking with the fingertips and a substantial feel when used.

Occupants also will be treated to an exceptional audio experience inside the cabin. In addition to the available audiophile-worthy Mark Levinson audio package, a new premium Pioneer audio system comes as standard equipment.

Pioneer’s sound engineers worked in collaboration with LC 500 body and cabin designers to enhance interior sound performance within the cabin, studying the acoustic environment and driving structural changes to enhance sound performance.

The LC 500 also will boast Lexus’ renowned safety technology, Lexus Safety System +, which integrates several of Lexus’s active safety technologies: an All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (All-speed DRCC) that relieves stop-and-go traffic stress, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) helps prevent and mitigate collisions; Lane Keep Assist (LKA) helps prevent vehicles from departing from their lanes; and  Automatic High Beam (AHB) that helps ensure optimal forward visibility during nighttime driving.

All of these features make the Lexus LC 500 an athletic, aerodynamic rear-wheel-drive coupe that marks the future of luxury performance. 

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