Lexus has uncovered the LC Convertible Concept ahead of its world premiere that’s scheduled for the 2019 Detroit Auto Show, next Monday. Said to have come to life as their design team was “exploring the brand’s evolution”, it’s described as “an LC in its most breathtaking form” and serves as a preview for the production model.

The recipe is a simple one – take one LC coupé and chop off the carbon fibre roof whilst retaining the 2+2 cabin. To its credit, Lexus has managed to do just so without ruining the svelte, swooping design that characterised the hardtop. The upswept beltline has been retained, while a pair of bulges have formed on the rear deck, behind the rear passengers’ headrests.


A few other changes have been made to glitz it up for show car duty – it now sits on larger 22-inch two-tone alloy wheels, and the interior sees the addition of white leather upholstery with yellow stitching for a bit of added pop. Otherwise, it’s the same LC that we know and love, and that’s not a bad thing.

Technical specifications have yet to be released, but we’d expect a production version to soldier on with the same two engine options as the coupé. There’s the LC 500 with a 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated V8 making 471 hp and 540 Nm of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, as well as the LC 500h hybrid that pairs a 299 PS/356 Nm 3.5 litre V6 with a 180 PS/300 Nm electric motor for a total system output of 354 hp, along with a four-speed automatic that simulates the feel of a 10-speeder.


At 4,770 mm long, 1,920 mm wide and 1,340 mm tall, the LC Convertible is 10 mm longer and sits 5 mm lower than its fixed roof sibling. The wheelbase length has remained the same as the Coupe, at 2,870 mm.