First Impressions: The Lexus LC Convertible Concept


Let’s start off with complete honesty — the Lexus LC Convertible that debuted at last week’s Detroit Auto Show looks nothing like a concept. Using the existing coupe as a starting point, every element and detail is polished to a production finish, leaving almost nothing to imagination. The Lexus LC Convertible Concept could (and should) be on the road immediately.

If only.

Instead, the Lexus LC Convertible Concept enters the market at a time when the prospects of selling any car is a difficult proposition, never mind a drop-top coupe likely to cost well above $100k USD. Even at the high-end of the market, it’s a numbers game and the math is tough.

This ambiguity ends up detracting from what should have been a celebratory event, as chopping the roof off the LC is a natural progression for the coupe and the direction of the brand itself. Lexus LC chief engineer Koji Sato tells me this was by design — a convertible variant was developed side-by-side with the production model coupe, a fact that should surprise no one.

Let’s take a brief aside about the technical aspects of the roof. In short, it did not exist, the trunk was essentially empty save for some batteries and switches to make the car move. This may be the only way the LC convertible could be considered a concept, even if it’s what I would consider a minor detail — Sato said the design hinges on a soft top roof that folds into the available space.

What will it take to get the LC Convertible into production? Lexus executives were cagey about the whole thing, saying only that it would depend on the level of interest shown by the media/consumer/dealership triangle. New USA general manager David Christ said there was no magic number, no set show of hands that will push the LCC into production.

Provided there is enough interest and the market turns in a favorable direction, it seems unlikely that a convertible would arrive before the LC gets its mid-cycle refresh — the combination of fresh looks and a new variant would maximize the sales impact, and the audience for flagship vehicles is fickle enough without antagonizing consumers.

(As for my personal view, I don’t really understand convertibles. There’s an obvious beauty to the LC Convertible Concept, but the core idea collides with my sensibilities. I believe it will be built eventually, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the release of the crossovers Lexus so desperately needs.)

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Comments
It’s honestly gorgeous, and open top cruising with that V8 sound, 10/10
It's gorgeous. Go for it, Lexus, build it. It's what Lexus is about. For me, Lexus needs to be more niche, not less.
  • Joe
    Joe
  • January 11, 2019
Absolutely gorgeous! But to make it a bit more desirable for Europeans they should develope it as a 500h as well sacrificing the rear seats for the battery...
I won't ever complain about seeing more of the LC, but I actually much prefer the coupe and I can't put my finger on why.

None the less, happy to see this hopefully heading towards production.
Omg where do I sign?? I’ll give up the mortgage for this!
I'm not a convertible guy, but this I'd actually buy. A RC convertible would be nice also!
Joe
Absolutely gorgeous! But to make it a bit more desirable for Europeans they should develope it as a 500h as well sacrificing the rear seats for the battery...
Very well done! Retaining the token rear seats was, for me, the biggest surprise in this LC Convertible Concept. I'd figured it would be strictly a 2-seater. If it goes into production, looks like it would be Lexus' first-ever soft top convertible, even though they haven't shown the top nor actually said whether it's a soft top or a retractable hardtop.
Any questions? Production like tomorrow please
AHHHHH!!!!! I said I predicted this in the other thread. Oh my god its looks drop-dead gorgeous.

So it is true! Another Lexus was revealed at the auto show. And what's amazing is that they didn't hesitate to build this either (I remember we said something like 2021 for the convertible and the F would have come earlier), plus it looks genuinely production model. I think the wave of responses will convince them to continue building better models on time. This is the first time they've done something like this, and I am so happy. I also hope this is the start of something new and they'll start thinking more like Mercedes-Benz.
F1 Silver Arrows
AHHHHH!!!!! I said I predicted this in the other thread. Oh my god its looks drop-dead gorgeous.

So it is true! Another Lexus was revealed at the auto show. And what's amazing is that they didn't hesitate to build this either (I remember we said something like 2021 for the convertible and the F would have come earlier), plus it looks genuinely production model. I think the wave of responses will convince them to continue building better models on time. This is the first time they've done something like this, and I am so happy. I also hope this is the start of something new and they'll start thinking more like Mercedes-Benz.
Can we like send a petition to them or something that says build this immediately? I agree with what you said drop dead gorgeous. I know the market is moving away from these kind of cars but you need to have them in your lineup. You want people to be able to start in the NX, IS, ES, UX market and move toward a RX, GX, GS to the LS, LX, LC kind of stuff later in life. You need fun cars to show off and the LC is just perfect in their lineup. LFA is sweet, of course, but the price and limited supply makes it near impossible to ever drive one or even see one. This still very expensive but gives the chance for a lot more to have that chance. I kept saying I wanted an F and honestly not even one bit disappointed that this is what we get! Lexus whatever you have to do make this a production car!
Very pretty. I think the wheels are a bit oversized, though. 20" would probably look a bit more proportionate.
This car is made for a convertible !
Nowhere a photo of the closed version ?
I just want those Wheels go into the production just like they did it with the LF-LC
OlFius
This car is made for a convertible !
Nowhere a photo of the closed version ?
One of them seems genuine.
Carmaker1
One of them seems genuine.
I’ll be extremely disappointed if they just follow everyone else and slap a soft top and ruin the whole look of the car.
My issue with convertibles is how they look with the top up. I hope Lexus was serious when they said they won’t follow the Germans, and really come up with unique ways to design their cars.
Nothing in this price range offer any soft tops that retains the roof line of the coupe, (the SL is outdated). Maybe Lexus can design a soft top that retains the roof line of the coupe as close as possible.
This would be the opportunity for Lexus to design an awesome soft top and take the crown from Mercedes.
R
  • R
    RAL
  • January 11, 2019
Please build it!
Can somebody do a changedotorg petition? And ask to build the convertible. This can work.
Ever since Lexus started building cars on TNGA platforms their cars evolve a lot in every single aspect... And this concept is another proof of it.
Absolutely stunning! When I was told a convertible LC was coming I couldn’t imagine it like this...such a beautiful looking car! That side profile picture is incredible and I’ll be one of the first to be waiting outside the dealers to sign the dotted line!! The RC and LC both get new additions on the opposite end of the scale so when the last varient of the LC debuts will the RC receive it’s last one as well? Wonderful times are coming for Lexus and beautiful cars are coming to us :blush:
Looks amazing!!! Curious why this didn't debut at the LA Auto Show since most of the LC convertible sales will be from California since we do have wonderful weather year round... It's great that Lexus is expanding the LC line. 8 Series, you've got some competition...

LC 500
LC 500h
LC 500 convertible
LC 500h convertible?
LC F (hopefully soon)
LC F convertible? (one can only dream)
Absolutely stunning.
Kevin, see if you can get some details about the top! Material/construction, etc.
Incredible!
Looks even than the 2008 LF-A convertible concept
Gecko
Kevin, see if you can get some details about the top! Material/construction, etc.
From multiple sources, it was definitely designed as a soft top. That said, there was no roof in the concept -- LC designers didn't even want to share renderings of what a roof might look like.
I did see renderings in Car&Driver that was a soft top but the angle of the roof was so odd it felt like a Ford Model T.
F1 Silver Arrows
I did see renderings in Car&Driver that was a soft top but the angle of the roof was so odd it felt like a Ford Model T.
In the magazine? I was told by Lexus PR that there were no images of a roof.
F1 Silver Arrows
I did see renderings in Car&Driver that was a soft top but the angle of the roof was so odd it felt like a Ford Model T.
krew
In the magazine? I was told by Lexus PR that there were no images of a roof.
Sounds like the Car and Driver rendering was photoshopped by an artist they hired, as opposed to being anything official from Lexus.

J