Design Review: Lexus LC
A most elegant GT from perhaps an unexpected source
First revealed by Akio Toyoda at the 2016 NAIAS in January, the LC (in both 500 and 500h hybrid form) is Lexus’ new flagship coupe. It is the culmination of four years of development that has taken place since it was shown in concept form as the LF-LC at the same NAIAS venue in 2012, where it won the EyesOn Design Award for best concept.
It’s not often a concept is translated so faithfully into production form but that’s what Lexus has achieved with the LC500. Fittingly, in 2016, it scooped the EyesOn Design Best Production Car and Best Interior awards in Detroit. It’s not hard to see why, especially in a market segment that has very little competition now the Jaguar XK is no more and the Mercedes SL has lacked elegance for many years.
Proportions
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1 Classic proportions
Large dash-to-axle dimension communicates the front-mid-engine layout beloved of BMW and Aston Martin
2 Height control
Wheel-and-a-half body depth from rocker to roof is a traditional sports-car trait
3 Uncluttered
Nice to have a front fender that isn’t decorated with a gratuitous vent or badge for once. All the better to appreciate the surfacing and generous proportions
4 Awkward
Slit vent in front of rear wheel punctuates the design, adds some interest here but the angle feels awkward, and encroaches on the trailing edge of the door too much.
5 Banana
Curve of groundline enhances rear fenders from some angles, but looks slightly weak in others
6 2+2
Rear-seat space visually supported by the rear wheels