Lexus LC Convertible to be Released by 2020?

If this goes topless before the RC that would be disappointing.

^I personally think RC-C is dead at this point, with the dramatic shift to SUVs.

LC-C would be even lower volume, but might make more sense from a "halo product" standpoint.

Well, one LC500 convertible prototype already exists...

Steve

Well, one LC500 convertible prototype already exists...

where?

If the Germans are doing it, Lexus needs too to stay in the game....otherwise its ANOTHER vehicle they don't offer the Germans do.

Interesting - however on a perhaps more boring point what news of the CT replacement? It is another Lexus model overdue for attention. The GS is due a replacement with in the next twelve months and of course the LS is still to revealed.
Disappointing for loyal owners opposition produces new models like clockwork but with Lexus we have rumours and possibilities but new models no! Let's face it as good as the LC appears - it is purely a halo car and most countries possibly will not even ever see one.

Rob Grieveson

Interesting - however on a perhaps more boring point what news of the CT replacement? It is another Lexus model overdue for attention. The GS is due a replacement with in the next twelve months and of course the LS is still to revealed.
Disappointing for loyal owners opposition produces new models like clockwork but with Lexus we have rumours and possibilities but new models no! Let's face it as good as the LC appears - it is purely a halo car and most countries possibly will not even ever see one.

Amen. Existing Lexus owners should know if/when replacements are coming or they may look elsewhere.

I have the sense that the development of TNGA, GA-L and next gen powertrains has delayed the introduction of some other forthcoming models.

LC will come first
LS reveal in 3 weeks, but not sure on market introduction
ES - maybe in 2017...?
GS - I assume early 2018 as a 2019
IS - maybe late 2018 as a 2019?

Lexus does a famous job of smashing up all of their vehicle redesigns over a short time span, thus having 3-4 years when everything is stale and there's nothing new in the lineup. Think of 2006-2008 and 2012-2013... same thing is going to happen for 2017-2018 unless Lexus has plans to space things out. As painful as that would be, it might be a good plan for them long term.

Honestly, the cars I am most looking forward to are a luxury high performance BEV and the next Land Cruiser Diesel.

Wish Lexus would bring the RC convertible to compete with the 4 series convertible. It won't sell in droves but would bring more options to the RC line and awareness so when the 2RC comes it will be improved upon.

RC 200t
RC 300 awd
RC 350/350 convertible
RC 300h (bring to U.S.)
RC F/ RC F convertible

krew

A minor update on a potential drop-top LC.

View the original article post

Just do it.....

mikeavelli

Just do it.....

Agreed. I'd wait for one. But I suppose thats what they don't want, for people to wait.

I don't know about the American population. I've been looking around and lots of people are already turned off by how heavy she is. Luckily, the Lc has already exceeded the BMW 6 series (and specifically the 650i) in sales figures as well as driving dynamics. Lexus just has to make people believe that the LC is a great success before properly selling it in the U.S; filled with 12-year-old BMW fanboys (as well as adults) that wouldn't look any further than the 0-60 times. After all, it is shown that your typical 12-year-old audience is more likely to influence the car industry than any other age group.

Yes, Just do it Lexus...bring a convertible LC 500, convertible LC 500h and convertible LC F...

Alexander Li

After all, it is shown that your typical 12-year-old audience is more likely to influence the car industry than any other age group.

This frightens me.

krew

This frightens me.

If so, who knows what autonomous driving will be like. A shuddering thought.

Lexus LC Convertible Reportedly 2 Years Away, LC F Still LIkely

This pair of models would give Lexus challengers against BMW and Mercedes' grand tourers.
Lexus is close to having a convertible in its lineup again because the Japanese premium brand intends to slice the roof off the LC. The prospects look quite good for a more powerful variant of the coupe, too.

An unnamed insider tells Auto Express the LC convertible is a "done deal" and already has a green light for production. However, the model is still around two years from actually arriving at dealers.

Company execs aren't ready to confirm the drop top officially, though. "I hope that we will have a convertible in the near future. We know the luxury market requires a convertible," Yoshihiro Sawa, Senior Managing Officer of Lexus, told Auto Express.

The LC convertible's most direct competition would likely be BMW's recently spied 8 Series drop top. However, its more adventurous styling might lure a few customers away from the S550 Cabriolet, too.

Contrary to previous reports, Auto Express' insider claims that the rumored LC F doesn't yet have production approval, but execs are seriously considering building one. Prior rumors out of Japan indicate that the LC F would use a new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 with 621 horsepower (463 kilowatts) and make extensive use of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer to lower the coupe's weight. Despite the high performance upgrades, the interior would allegedly remain quite luxurious.

Judging by these reports, the LC F would be a closer competitor to AMG-tuned variants of the Mercedes S-Class, rather than a hardcore followup to the LFA supercar.

Lexus filed for a trademark on the LC F moniker in February 2017, indicating the company has been mulling over this idea for quite a while. Rumors even hinted that the model might have debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show in November, but it didn't show up there.

https://www.motor1.com/news/227557/lexus-lc-convertible-confirmation-rumor/

How can Mercedes and BMW release a coupe, convertible and high performance variant all at the same time, but it takes Lexus three years?

I wonder hardtop or softop? LC F roadster :D

Lexus LC Convertible Coming in Next Two Years?

Auto Express has the source.

View the original article post

Gecko

How can Mercedes and BMW release a coupe, convertible and high performance variant all at the same time, but it takes Lexus three years?

Bean counters. They don't want to take any risks, that's PTSD from the Lost Decade. Instead of making something and worry about sales afterwards, they want the thing to sell before it's made (which is questionable logic).

See how long they experimented with the 86 (and half failed) to 'see if there's demand for Toyota sportscars' before starting this whole GR stuff? Even now they only build the Yaris GRMN in limited numbers despite it being a highly coveted hothatch (due to its purist appeal).

But now LC proved to be a success. With a convertible it could almost completely claim the $100k GT market for itself. The Mercedes SL, despite having a long rich history, fails to fend off this new comer.

mikeavelli

I wonder hardtop or softop? LC F roadster :D

That's the $64,000 question. I strongly and fervently hope they go with Lexus' first-ever soft top. The weight, mechanical complexity and space-robbing disadvantages of a retractable hardtop are sizable, and advances in soft top sound insulation make this, I think, a no-brainer. Heck, if soft tops are good enough for luxury brands that place a premium on quietness such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Mercedes' S-Class, they should definitely be good enough for Lexus...

ssun30

Bean counters. They don't want to take any risks, that's PTSD from the Lost Decade. Instead of making something and worry about sales afterwards, they want the thing to sell before it's made (which is questionable logic).

Honestly though, Lexus has always been like this. I don't think they've ever gone whole heartedly all-in like they should.

It's great that we'll get an LC vert in a couple of years. What about an RC vert as well? It could be a one, two punch from Lexus. The LF-C2 is basically a prototype for an RC vert. Curious what an LC vert will look like. Look forward to see and maybe get an LC convertible in the future.

LC 500
LC 500h
LC 500 C
LC 500h C

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/lexus/...ormance-model-to-lead-brands-sporty-expansion

Holy fuq that is hot :heart_eyes:


"An inside source at the company said the LC was a “done deal” and likely to see the light of day within 18 months to two years."

Can someone explain to me why it will take Lexus 18-24 months to design a convertible for a car they started engineering in 2012? At that point, it will have taken 8 years to create an LC convertible.

They've likely just recently started working on the convertible, probably as part of the LC's first refresh. We're nearing the end of the TNGA-ification of Lexus aside from the IS and the BOF trucks so there's almost certainly more engineering time becoming available.

The LC convertible has been spotted already back in the winter of this year. What everyone thought was an LC-F mule, was likely no other than an LC with a chopped roof.

I discovered this while trying to retrace steps, on when to expect an LC-F and comparing it to the timetable for the GS F and RC-F mule to prototype spy shots.

Which is when I then quickly realized that a zebra colored LC mule did not have anything special in sound, compared to a loud black LS testing 10 months ago. But its A pillars were oddly misaligned and its roof was incomplete as well.