The Lexus LC 500 Convertible looks gorgeous without a roof and Lexus says that it hasn’t compromised chassis rigidity or performance in the process.
Lexus first showcased the stunning LC 500 Convertible Concept at the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. And now, Lexus has finally decided to put it into production. Lexus has debuted the convertible version of the LC 500 at the ongoing 2019 LA Motor Show and it looks exactly similar to the concept. If you though that the LC 500 couldn’t get any more beautiful, this drop top version of this fantastic grand tourer will drop your jaws even further.
Lexus promises that the LC 500 Convertible will be dynamically similar to the coupe version even though it lacks a roof, when essentially contributes to the structural integrity of the car. To compensate for the chassis rigidity with the lack of a roof, they have used structural braces at several places. The convertible version has also got heavier by 104 kgs, for which the rear suspension has been tweaked as well. Furthermore, engineers have also repositioned the rear suspension brace tower and reduced the weight at the rear using a lightweight die-cast aluminum suspension brace.
The heart of the LC 500 convertible remains similar to that of the coupe. It continues to be powered by a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine which comes mated to a Direct-Shift 10-speed automatic transmission. A naturally aspirated 5.0L combustion engine seems like blessings from above in modern times. The engine produces 471PS and 540Nm , output figures similar to the coupe.
Visually, the convertible version looks exactly similar to coupe except for the portion around the roof. Lexus has done a stunning job with the design of the LC 500. With the roof gone, the car now gets a long rear deck and a very neat profile with a small kink around the B-pillar. The folding roof is a soft top unit and it takes just 15 seconds to retract and come back in a similar 16 seconds, within speeds of up to 50kmph.
The soft-top roof has four layers and its resistant to wrinkling and has also got sound insulation properties. But when you have the opportunity to put that roof down, you get to hear the glorious sound of the naturally aspirated V8 engine. Lexus says, “There’s no electronic sound generation here!” Like the LFA’s brilliant Yamaha-engineered setup, the LC 500 Convertible also uses a diaphragm that transmits the intake pulses into the cabin via a sound pipe.
Also Read : All-new BMW i4 Electric Sedan to have 530hp and a Top Speed of 200kph!
To keep your experience in the cabin as pleasant as possible, Lexus has also added neck heaters and a transparent wind deflector. The neck heaters and the steering wheel heater works in conjunction to keep the occupants’ comfortable. Other features include Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Alexa integration, Wi-Fi, dynamic voice control, 21-inch wheels, and a 12-speaker sound system (optional 13-speaker Mark Levinson). The interiors otherwise remain unchanged from the coupe.
Also Read : The Aston Martin DBX with Sportscar Pedigree is Finally here!
Lexus has also introduced a special white and blue interior theme for the convertible version pictured above. Its called the LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series and it will be limited to just 100 units. While there has been no word of the LC 500 Convertible making it to India yet, we are surely getting the LC 500h hybrid Coupe by early 2020.
