Lexus LC 500 Cabriolet: The last of its kind

Lexus has created some spectacular luxury models in the past few decades. Nevertheless, the US-inclined Asians find it difficult, especially in Europe, to put themselves in the limelight against the premium superiority of Audi, BMW and Mercedes. No wonder that the Lexus LC 500 as a convertible is a real division model – but one with an addictive factor, because instead of the well-known hybrid technology, the LC 500 offers impressive driving fun and lots of dynamism – thanks to V8 power. And it has to be fast, because it should only be a matter of time how long the ecologically-minded Toyota company will allow itself such an open joker. The international competition is thin, because apart from a Mercedes SL, which will get a successor this autumn, there is at most the Aston Martin Vantage / DB11, the open BMW M 850i or even a Porsche 911 Carrera, all of which are more sporty. But none of them is still on the road with a naturally aspirated engine and so the Lexus LC 500 as a convertible variant has a distinctive unique selling point that should appeal to many potential customers. The fact that the Lexus officially thinks it is a four-seater is just as entertaining as with the Mercedes SL or Porsche 911. The rear leather areas under the wind deflector are only suitable for storing clothing or bags – but that was it. Fortunately, because the tiny cargo space doesn’t even hold 200 liters.

The sleek, elegant sheet metal cladding of the 4.76-meter-long LC 500 Cabriolet not only conceals a luxurious leather-covered interior for two people, but also a five-liter naturally aspirated V8 with 341 kW / 464 hp and a maximum torque of 530 Nm. The sound of the engine is addicting, because it is sonorous, rumbling, beefy and promises a lot of zest for action. From a standing start, the Japanese accelerates open and closed in under five seconds and reaches a top speed of an impressive 270 km / h. Politically wonderfully incorrect and therefore nothing for most Lexus or Toyota customers, who are often openly committed to their ecological ideas. The LC 500 is completely different as a convertible – luxurious, elegant and sporty, almost everything that you know from the Japanese. The ten-speed automatic is perfectly matched to the naturally aspirated V8 engine with its five-liter displacement, which sounds almost as splendid as it did ten years ago when revving up the gears.

The whole thing with the roof open and the stately luxury of the lavishly leather-covered interior – grandiose. “If the roof is operated, there is a deliberate pause at the beginning and end of each sequence,” says chief engineer Yasushi Muto, “this gives the movement a certain elegance that has always been part of the Lexus DNA and already the first generation of the LS sedan marked. ” The button for opening and closing the roof is hidden under the palm rest and almost invisible to outsiders. The fabric roof opens and closes fully electrically in around 15 seconds up to a speed of 50 km / h. The noise insulation is excellent.

The chassis of the almost two-ton sun worshiper is balanced and unspectacular – no wide spread of individual driving modes, but a focus on the essentials. The steering would look a little more direct, while the multi-link axles at the front and rear easily spring over almost everything that gets in the way of the open joker. Due to the long wheelbase and the good weight distribution, the LC 500 can also be moved dynamically in the limit area if you don’t take it too ambitiously. In the interior, the open Lexus is a bit behind the direct competition, because navigation, controls and instruments – that was all a few years ago. Just like the V8 vacuum cleaner and that’s exactly what makes the open Lexus LC 500 look so gorgeous. It delivers excellent driving fun, long-distance comfort, both open and closed, and a drive package that is simply no longer available today. So you should grab it and enjoy this spectacular convertible. The enjoyable starting price: 117,500 euros. This also puts you on an equal footing with the illustrious competition.