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.
