The Lexus LC 500 is Toyota’s attempt at a modern classic

Sweet technology

A revolutionary undertaking for Japan’s premier luxury automotive marque, the LC 500 (RM940,000) was born from Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda’s desire for a Lexus vehicle to one day grace the lawns of Pebble Beach as a modern classic.

Lexus’ hallmark spindle grille ensures a dramatic entrance, while the grand touring proportions of the LC 500 are bookended by gorgeous lighting elements not far removed from those previewed on the LF-LC concept in 2012. Master craftsmen, or takumi, some of whom lent their superior hand-finishing abilities to the LFA supercar, worked heavily with carbon fibre components and interior materials for a result that is radical yet elegant. Of note within the cabin are the pressure-dispersing cushioning on the sports seat and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio setup that restores and enhances digitised music sources in real-time.

Under the hood sits a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 plucked from the high-performance GS F and RC F models, good for 470hp and 540Nm for a century sprint time of just 4.4 seconds. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic — a world first in the premium segment — while adaptive suspension with no fewer than 650 levels of damping ensures the power never gets the better of the driving experience.

Lexus