Lexus lobs updated LC from $194,747

LEXUS has announced the local pricing of its updated LC coupe range, with both the V8 powered LC500 and hybrid LC500h almost $5000 more expensive than before, now carrying sticker prices of $194,747 and $195,165 plus on-road costs respectively.

Rather than being a simple case of price inflation, Lexus has treated the LC to “10 dynamic engineering improvements” to make the brand’s flagship coupe more involving and better to drive.

The ten changes consist of a reworked transmission tune, extra instrument cowl bracing, new front control arms, altered shock-absorber length, stronger front and rear coils with enhanced spring rates, new stabiliser bars front and rear, lighter rear alloy wheels (21-inch), Yamaha-developed rear performance dampers on the LC500 and Active Cornering Assist.

Lexus says all of the changes have been implemented to make the car more responsive, comfortable and capable.

For those not satisfied with the 10 changes and alterations, a $15,000 ‘enhancement pack’ is also available which adds a carbon-fibre roof and scuff plates, active rear wing, sportier interior trim with Alcantara and leather-accented front seats, dynamic rear steering and variable gear-ratio steering while the LC500h also picks up a Torsen limited-slip differential – already standard on the LC500.

No changes have been made under the bonnet of either variant, meaning the sonorous 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine in the LC500 continues to pump out 351kW of power and 540Nm of toque at a peaky 4800rpm.

Likewise, the 3.5-litre petrol V6 unit in the LC500h is still paired with the 650-volt ‘Lexus Hybrid Drive’ system and still produces a combined 264kW while torque is still pegged at 350Nm for the internal combustion engine and 300Nm for the electric motor.

As before, the V8 sends its power to the rear wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission as opposed to the continuously variable transmission (CVT) in the hybrid.

The standard equipment list has also been given a tweak in the update with the addition of a heated steering wheel and ‘Easy Access’ sliding front seats designed to make getting in and out easier.

Befitting of an almost $200,000 coupe, the rest of the standard equipment list is still very generous – near on expansive – and includes a glass roof with interior sun blind, radar active cruise control, automatic triple-stack LED headlights with cornering function, keyless entry, 10.3-inch multimedia screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, satellite navigation, voice control, 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, rain sensing wipers, heated and cooled 12-way power-adjustable semi-aniline leather-accented front seats, sports pedals, rain sensing wipers, auto dimming rear-view mirror, reversing camera and six drive modes among others.

The interior trim itself is now available in four colour schemes with ‘Flare Red’ and ‘Manhattan Henge’ being added to the exiting Black and Ochre options.

Safety is also generously catered for with a pre-collision safety system and pre-collision braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, pop-up pedestrian sensing safety bonnet, eight airbags as well as stability and traction control systems.

While the LC has not been treated to a specific facelift as part of its model update, Lexus has added a new exterior colour – Carnelian (orange) – to the palette and made the Inspiration Edition’s unique ‘Khaki Metal’ colour scheme a full-time option.

Later this year a convertible version of the LC will be introduced into the Australian market to sit alongside the coupes, although pricing and specification for that car has not yet been announced.

Eight LCs have been delivered so far this year ending May, down 20 per cent on the 10 that were sold over the same period last year.

As a result, the LC occupies just 0.7 per cent of the $80,000-$200,000 sportscar segment.