Long bonnet, low roofline, small cabin, and a short rear overhang. Even the visually challenged with nary a cell of motoring enthusiasm in their blood will recognise these as characteristics of a sports car – like the 2024 Lexus LC 500.
It’s a formula that has existed for the ages, and one we are thankful exists in the Lexus stable, and in this very car. True to brand, this basic design mantra is amped up with futuristic edginess at every angle.
Some will say it’s a bit much, this writer isn’t one of them. In fact, as a Lexus fan, the design ethos is appreciated, as the now 7-year-old shell has aged incredibly well – especially at the front three-quarter.
It’s a view that highlights how that front end, complete with 3-eye Bi-Beam LED headlamps, leads to deliciously bulging wheel arches housing enormous 21-inch staggered wheels.
The Bridgestone Potenza S001L rubber measures 245/40 up front, while 275/35 meats fill the coke-bottle flare commencing after the front doors. Looking back at the LC 500 at elevation reveals the equivalent of automotive jewellery too.
That comes in the form of a gorgeous carbon fibre roof. Replacing a glass panel as part of an Enhancement Pack, this CFRP panel mirrors technology used in the ballistic and legendary LFA.
Keeping weight low in the chassis is the function, blending perfectly with polished aluminium trims and the lovely Cobalt Blue in this, its most delicious form. The taillight design is the only element we didn’t enjoy.
They’re far more pleasing at night, but a little “meh” otherwise. Thankfully, twin exhausts provide aural distraction, while the active rear spoiler adds a touch of aggression, especially when the under-bonnet mayhem is called upon. But more on that later.
A touch of the hidden door handles reveals them, and a pull reveals a thick carbon-esque sill panel. A declining step over sees one sitting appropriately low in a supremely comfortable, soft-leather and Alcantara bound seat.
Featuring electric 12-way adjustability, it positions the driver in front of a beautifully upright leatherbound wheel which is both tilt and reach adjustable, electrically of course. The metal-faced pedals create a near-perfect position for both pottering and pushing.
The cabin itself is typical Lexus; not as fancy or bejewelled as others, but superbly constructed with high quality materials. Ours featured the “Black” interior palette, but we’d have loved to see the “ochre” option to brighten things up.
Up ahead sits a screen for instrumentation which in Sports+ mode channels LFA vibes with a prominent central tachometer, while the cabin controls are handled by a vibrant and clear 12.3-inch touchscreen.
Below this, beautifully tactile controls including the gear shifter itself, are a pleasure to handle and use. Much like what we experienced in the flagship LS 500, it is evident that Takumi craftsmanship holds user satisfaction in equal regard to functional performance.
Charging comes via USB-A and C ports in the centre storage bin, and wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto are both available to play your favourite music through a superb 13-speaker 918-Watt Mark Levinson Reference sound system.
Rear seats are available; there’s two of them, strictly speaking given the subwoofer in between. Sadly, even children were a compromise for anything more than a short trip. At least the front seats moved back and forward automatically with the touch of a lever.
Piloting the LC 500 for the first time revealed what could only be described as the perfect grand tourer. It’s wider and lower than the latest S650 Mustang, the latter owing in part to its “double joint” multi-link suspension architecture.
It’s no slouch either, with a claimed sprint to 100Km/h in 4.4 seconds. Thankfully stopping is handled by gargantuan 6-pot callipers up front, clamping 15.75-inch discs, with 4-pots at the rear.
Hitting the starter for the first time is a pleasant surprise, with an exhaust note louder than we’d expected. This is owing to active exhaust valves that open at start-up and WOT, supplemented by channelling of engine noise to the cabin, like the LFA.
The culprit sitting under that immensely long bonnet is the famed 2URGSE quad cam V8. It’s an engine that this writer has a particular affinity for and is also the base around which Toyota Gazoo Racing will enter the Supercars Championship series.
Just over 300 cubes in the old money, with Yamaha fettled heads, it debuted in late 2008 as propulsion for the ground-breaking IS F. Today, outputs of 351kW and 540Nm denote its most powerful tune to date.
Mated to a 10-speed gearbox, the combination is near perfect, with no hesitation or mis-selection. Lexus was the first to bring an 8-speed automatic gearbox to market in the IS F, so the refinement found in the LC 500 is no surprise.
In Normal mode shifts are smooth and imperceivable, while Sport+ will bang through the gears in DCT-like speed and ferocity, while delivering luscious throttle blips on downshift.
So good is it, that during spirited runs it felt like the gearbox adapted to the driving style, downshifting in preparation for bends without intervention; impressive indeed.
The downside for some will be the 15.1-litre/100km fuel consumption, but if you want fuel economy you shouldn’t be looking here anyway. While the chassis is enthusiastic and the suspension does a fine job, there’s no escaping the heft.
Tipping the scales at 1,965kg means it’s better on a coastal road than twisties through a national park. The reality is it’s the brilliant sum of all parts that makes the LC 500 so special.
Once you’ve had your thrills, it’s sinking back into that lovely seat, adjusting the music and allowing the Climate Concierge system to set everything your body contacts with, to optimum temperatures, while filtering the air as you head to the next destination.
The open road is where it thrives, with the same excellent cruise control system we enjoyed in the LS 500. You’ll get there too, because safety is both well covered and uber-refined. The list is long, but airbags, pre-collision and lane keep assist feature prominently.
If this writer was devoid of youngsters, this could well be the perfect car. Well fast enough to get one into trouble with plenty of dramatic soundtrack, comfortable enough and with adequate storage for a weekend away, and simple enough to drive every single day.
One would of course need to contend with a driveaway price of $233,856, but those are mere details. Cars like the LC500 are a dying breed. Slinky lines combined with a glorious atmospheric V8 engine result in the most deliciously nostalgic and visceral experience.
Alas, Supercars homologation requirements mean it’s safe for now, and for that this writer couldn’t be happier. You can find out more on the Lexus Australia website, or by talking to your local dealership.
To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One. To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was supplied by Lexus Australia for independent review purposes.
