2017 All-New Lexus LC 500 Launched In Malaysia, Priced From RM940k

After opening its order books earlier this month, Lexus Malaysia has launched the all-new Lexus LC 500 for the Malaysian market. Lexus’ flagship luxury coupe retails from RM940,000 OTR, exclusive of insurance.

The LC takes its place alongside the LS flagship sedan within the Lexus range and draws inspiration from the Lexus LF-LC concept from 2012. The LC 500 first debuted 2016 Detroit Auto Show, and adopts the company’s latest platform for front-engined rear wheel drive models, dubbed Global Architecture – Luxury (GA-L).

The LC 500 represents an evocative design language, successfully transformed from a concept form to a seductive and commanding design for the road. The LC's highlights distinctive elements such as the Spindle Grille, flanked by 3-Beam LED headlamp and 'Arrowhead' DRLs. The car's sporty silhouette is characterised by a sweeping roofline, accentuated by chrome plated mouldings along the side of the roof have been shaped to look like that of a traditional Japanese sword. An active rear spoiler, which automatically deploys at 80km/h finishes off the look of the LC. 

The interior further echoes the emotive desigin of the exterior, the aim being to provide a lovely balance between function, comfort and luxury aethetics. The LC's instrument panel houses the same TFT display technology, first introduced on Lexus' LFA supercar, including the snazzy Movable Ring Meter with Drive Mode Differentiated Display. The interior's upholstery and materials further exemplify the craftsmanship and attention to detail that typifies the Lexus name.

Below is a video from our friend Bobby Ang, which covers the features of the Lexus LC 500 in more depth. 

Only one variant is on offer – powered by a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that generates 470PS and 540Nm at 4,800rpm. The engine, internally known as the 2UR-GSE, is a development of the unit also used in the RC-F and GS-F high-performance sedans, capable of switching between Otto and Atkinson combustion cycles.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 10-speed conventional automatic. The gearbox is claimed to be smaller and lighter than some 8-speed units and executes gearshifts as fast as some double-clutch gearboxes. A ‘Torsen’ LSD also helps distribute power effectively.

The car’s driving performance is managed by the Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) system, which modulates the LC’s Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) and Electric Power Steering (EPS) functions.  

The LC 500 sprints from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds onto a top speed of 270km/h. The car is claimed to return 8.6l/100km/h on the combined cycle.

The LC’s safety systems are integrated into the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), which interfaces with the aforementioned DRS and the cars Stability and Traction control. The LC 500 also packs other active safety systems such as blind spot monitoring with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Eight airbags are fitted as standard.

The LC 500 is available in 11 exterior colours and three interior colour themes. Only one wheel choice is offered, the five-spoke forged 21-inch aluminium wheels which are wrapped in custom sized rubber – measuring 245/40 at front and 275/35 at the rear. The display unit featured Bridgestone Potenza S001 L tyres, with the 'L' suffix an abbreviation for Lexus. 

Every LC500 comes with a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty, inclusive of free scheduled service within the first 5-year/100,000km period, whichever comes first. Note that 10 units of the LC 500 have been allocated to the Malaysian market in 2017, 8 of which have been reportedly sold.