Reviews & News: The Lexus LC 500

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pressroom.lexus.com

Tangible Elegance: The 2026 Lexus LC 500 - Lexus USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (July 18, 2025) – The 2026 LC 500 debuts with a new Inspiration Series for this model year with 200 units slated for the North American market. The package comes with the new-to-LC color, Smoke Matte Gray, paired with a white and black interior treatment, along with blacked...
pressroom.lexus.com pressroom.lexus.com

  • Features Smoke Matte Gray as New Exterior Color
  • Inspiration Series Returns for 2026 with 200 Units for North America
  • Starting MSRP of $101,700 (including Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee)
pressroom.lexus.com

Open-Air Opulence: The 2026 Lexus LC 500 Convertible - Lexus USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (July 18, 2025) – The 2026 LC 500 Convertible receives minor updates for this model year with changes including the addition of a new Inspiration Series model limited to 350 units for the North American market. The package comes with the new-to-LC color, Wind, paired with Saddle Tan...
pressroom.lexus.com pressroom.lexus.com

  • New Inspiration Series Joins Lineup with 350 Units Coming to North America
  • Wind Added as New Exterior Color Option
  • Starting MSRP of $109,200 (including Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee)

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sl0519

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Motor said:
pressroom.lexus.com

Tangible Elegance: The 2026 Lexus LC 500 - Lexus USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (July 18, 2025) – The 2026 LC 500 debuts with a new Inspiration Series for this model year with 200 units slated for the North American market. The package comes with the new-to-LC color, Smoke Matte Gray, paired with a white and black interior treatment, along with blacked...
pressroom.lexus.com pressroom.lexus.com

  • Features Smoke Matte Gray as New Exterior Color
  • Inspiration Series Returns for 2026 with 200 Units for North America
  • Starting MSRP of $101,700 (including Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee)
pressroom.lexus.com

Open-Air Opulence: The 2026 Lexus LC 500 Convertible - Lexus USA Newsroom

PLANO, Texas (July 18, 2025) – The 2026 LC 500 Convertible receives minor updates for this model year with changes including the addition of a new Inspiration Series model limited to 350 units for the North American market. The package comes with the new-to-LC color, Wind, paired with Saddle Tan...
pressroom.lexus.com pressroom.lexus.com

  • New Inspiration Series Joins Lineup with 350 Units Coming to North America
  • Wind Added as New Exterior Color Option
  • Starting MSRP of $109,200 (including Delivery, Processing and Handling Fee)

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I still don't get why LSS+ 2.5 still!!
 
mikeavelli

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I am going to push myself and throw a big LC meet this fall. I can’t believe 8 years have passed. Only a matter of time before it’s gone.
 
Kelvin2020

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sl0519

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Kelvin2020 said:
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I made Gemini summarize the video for me :cool:

Detailed Description of Powertrain and Handling Improvements​

The video provides an in-depth look at the powertrain and handling improvements for the Lexus LC500 "Pinnacle" special edition. The core of these enhancements lies not just in its powerful engine, but in a series of meticulous refinements aimed at improving vehicle integrity and driver feedback.

1. Powertrain​

  • 5.0L V8 Naturally Aspirated Engine:
    • The heart of the LC500 remains its celebrated 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. The video emphasizes that this engine has undergone "high-precision tuning." This implies that the weight tolerances of internal moving parts (like pistons and connecting rods) have been meticulously balanced, resulting in smoother and more responsive engine operation.
    • This tuning enhances not only performance but also the engine's captivating sound. The video repeatedly showcases the engine's startup and acceleration acoustics. Whether it's the rich, powerful roar delivered directly into the cabin of the convertible or the still-impressive and pleasant sound within the coupe, the V8 engine is highlighted as a core part of the sensory experience.
  • Transmission System: It is paired with a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission and a Front-Engine, Rear-Wheel-Drive (FR) layout, ensuring efficient power delivery and an engaging driving experience.

2. The Core Evolution in Handling and Body Rigidity: The Newly Designed Door Striker​

This is the most dramatic and crucial improvement detailed in the video.

  • Concept of the Improvement: The doors represent the largest openings in a car's body structure. Therefore, the rigidity of the connection between the doors and the body has a direct impact on the vehicle's overall handling and feedback. Lexus engineers redesigned the door striker to create a stronger lock-up with the body when the door is closed, thereby significantly enhancing overall chassis rigidity.
  • Structural Changes: The video provides a side-by-side visual comparison of the old and new strikers.
    • Old Striker: A simple U-shaped metal loop mounted on a relatively thin metal base plate.
    • New Striker: The U-shaped loop is now partially enveloped by a resin material with a contoured surface, and it is mounted on a visibly thicker base plate. This new design allows the door latch mechanism to engage more tightly with the striker, minimizing the micro-gaps and relative movements between the door and the car body.
  • Actual Test Drive Comparison Experience: The most compelling segment of the video is the back-to-back test drive before and after the new strikers were installed on the same car.
    • Before (with the conventional striker): The driver described feeling subtle body flex and vibrations, especially in the convertible, during cornering and over undulations in the road surface. While the steering was precise, the feedback felt slightly vague or filtered.
    • After (with the new striker): The driver expressed surprise, stating that the difference was immediately palpable. From the moment of pulling away, the car felt more like a single, cohesive unit. On the test track, high-speed lane changes felt sharper and more direct. The steering feedback became exceptionally clear and communicative. The previously noted subtle vibrations and body flex were almost completely eliminated, making the car feel as if it were "moving forward like a single, solid arrow," which instilled a much greater sense of confidence and stability.

3. Exclusive Equipment for the Coupe Model​

In addition to the new door strikers, the Coupe model benefits from further handling-focused features:

  • Rear Suspension Member: The Coupe is exclusively fitted with a hollow aluminum rear suspension member, which further reinforces the rigidity of the rear chassis and contributes to improved vehicle dynamics.
  • Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS): The Coupe model is equipped with DRS, making it more agile at low speeds and more stable during high-speed cornering, thus elevating its handling limits.
In summary, the evolution of this LC500, especially the "Pinnacle" edition, is more than just a cosmetic update. By re-engineering a seemingly minor component like the door striker, Lexus has fundamentally enhanced the car's structural rigidity and handling feedback. This allows the driver to experience the potent performance of the V8 engine with greater clarity, confidence, and a heightened sense of unity with the machine.
 
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