Lexus Australia has today announced pricing and specification of its LC500 and LC500h flagship sports cars, with both models coming in at AUD 190,000 plus associated on-road costs. The Lexus LC500 is powered by a naturally-aspirated V8 engine that delivers 477 Hp of power and 540 Nm of torque, which sees a 10 Nm increase over the RC F and GS F models utilising the same engine.

The LC500 also gains a new 10-speed automatic transmission that Lexus says is the first in the market. The V8 powertrain combination has a kerb weight of around 1935-1970 kg (depending on options) and sees the Japanese 2+2 sports car accelerate from 0-100 km/h in around 4.7 seconds. It uses around 11.6L of 98 RON fuel per 100 km in the combined city and highway cycle.


The V8 models are equipped with a limited slip differential (LSD), however, that remains an option for the equally-priced hybrid. The Lexus LC500h, which maintains the ‘500’ badging with the addition of a ‘h’, despite having a 3.5-litre hybrid powertrain (which in other Lexus models has seen it labelled 450h) makes use of the well-known Toyota-Lexus V6 engine (299 hp and 348 Nm) in combination with a new Lithium-Ion battery pack that sees total power output at 264 kW. The electric powertrain also produces 300 Nm on its own (but it’s not a matter of simply adding the torque figures up for total output).

The LC500h utilises a four-speed conventional automatic gearbox in combination with a CVT that links up to create ten ‘ratios’. Lexus dubs this the next-generation of hybrid technologies, labelled multi-stage hybrid.


It has a combined fuel economy figure of just 6.1L/100km while it manages a 0-100 km/h time of five seconds flat. It weighs 50kg more than the V8 and rides 7mm higher. Both models have an 82L fuel tank. The V8 and V6 look identical from the outside, bar the ‘h’ badging and a slightly bluer tint to the Lexus badge on the hybrid. Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres wrap around the standard 21-inch wheels (F: 245/40/21, R: 275/35/21).

The V8’s exhaust note has taken some lessons from the LFA supercar, however, the hybrid model does use artificial sound to enhance the occupant’s experience. Lexus says it has stuck with its naturally-aspirated V8s as it wished to keep the aural experience not otherwise possible with a turbocharged unit.


Both models utilise noise cancelling technology to block out low-frequency sounds through the use of antiphase sound via the car’s stereo system. The only option on both cars is the enhancement pack, which at AUD 15,000 offers four-wheel steering and variable gear ratio steering, reducing the turning circle by 25 percent and improving turn in on the go.

Additionally, the pack includes an LSD for the hybrid while adding, on both, an active rear spoiler (deploys automatically at 80 km/h), a carbon-fibre roof (in place of the standard glass sunroof), combination leather-accented and Alcantara upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable sports front seats and carbon-fibre scuff plates.

The Lexus LC500 and LC500h are on sale in Australia from today. Lexus believes that more than 80 percent of buyers will opt for the V8 version with the Japanese luxury brand expecting to sell around 100 units overall this year.