DETROIT — Is the 2018 Lexus LC 500 the standout of the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS)? Some are saying yes. The luxury car also picked up two EyesOn Design awards at the show.
The LC 500 is based on the LF-LC concept car that was shown at the NAIAS five years ago. It is equipped with a 5.0-liter, V8 engine producing 467 horsepower and 389 lb.-ft. of torque. The luxury car will go from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. It features a new grille, L-shaped daytime running lights and a triple LED headlamp unit.
“It makes a tremendous brand statement of where Lexus is going,” said Yuval Steiman, Lexus product marketing manager. “Obviously, performance, design–something aspirational. This is really the symbol of the future. This is very close to the spirit of the concept. Mr. Toyoda said yesterday, ‘Usually designers and engineers don’t get a long.’ But this time they got along and accomplished something tremendous.”
The flagship coupe will come with the 2017 Lexus Multimedia package. Standard features include Mark Levinson audio package and a new premium Pioneer audio system. The LC 500 also comes with the latest safety technologies such as an All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (All-speed DRCC) that relieves stop-and-go traffic stress, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) helps prevent and mitigate collisions; Lane Keep Assist (LKA) helps prevent vehicles from departing from their lanes; and Automatic High Beam (AHB) that helps ensure optimal forward visibility during nighttime driving.
“The Lexus LC 500 is awesome,” said Akshay Anand, a senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book. “It’s a nice surprise for everyone. It’s designed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz SL. A little more premium, a little higher price but I think it looks beautiful. I would love one.”
The luxury car was named the 2016 EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence – Production Car and EyesOn Design Award for Design Excellence – Interior Design on Tuesday, January 12. The awards are selected by active and retired design heads of automotive manufacturers and transportation design chairs from top art schools.
Look for the Lexus LC 500 to arrive in Spring 2017. Pricing and fuel economy numbers have not yet been announced.
Click here for more info on the 2018 Lexus LC 500
-
It is based on the LF-LC Concept we saw five years ago. (Jason Rzucidlo/AmericaJR.com)
-
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and interior (Jason Rzucidlo/AmericaJR.com)
-
“L”-shaped daytime running lights rest below a new Triple LED headlamps. (Jason Rzucidlo/AmericaJR.com)