In 2012, Lexus caused a sensation with the unveiling of its LF-LC concept at the Detroit motor show, its vision for a radical new flagship coupe. Four years later, the concept became reality with an almost unchanged design for the production-ready LC. Now that model’s award-winning history reaches its pinnacle with the new LC 500 Ultimate Edition.
This special version of the LC 500 Coupe and Convertible will be available in strictly limited numbers worldwide – each model’s status recorded on an individually numbered plaque mounted on the centre console.
The stand-out feature of the Ultimate Edition is its dedicated Hakugin White paintwork, which has an elegant matt finish. This strikes a sharp contrast with black detailing around the muscular bodywork, including the grille, door mirrors headlamp surrounds and exhaust baffle, and the 21-inch, five-spoked forged alloy wheels. This strong look draws heritage parallels with Lexus’s past coupe master, the LFA supercar.
The interior also has an exclusive finish with upholstery in a deep Kachi-Blue. Luxurious semi-aniline leather is featured in the Coupe and a combination of suede-like Alcantara and leather in the Convertible.
The Ultimate Edition’s special qualities are not limited to styling. The car’s aerodynamic performance has been honed with the world-first integration of airflow-controlling canard fins in the front bumper moulding. On the Coupe, the aero management package includes an auto-deploying black carbon rear wing. The wing’s shape was defined with input from the world of competition flying through Lexus’s support of aerobatic and race pilot Yoshihide Muroya and his team.
Lexus’s Takumi master technicians were recruited to tune the V8 engine for smoother rotation and the rear differential for even sharper acceleration response. Both LC 500 Coupe and Convertible use a 457bhp powerplant, with a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic transmission.
The Ultimate Edition’s equipment specification matches the top LC Sport Pack+ with the addition of a colour head-up display, Panoramic View Monitor and 13-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Audio system, plus “Limited Edition” Lexus scuff plates.
Production of the Ultimate Edition will commence in September. For UK customers, fewer than 10 examples will be available, priced £116,000 for the Coupe and £122,000 for the Convertible.