LC500 takes 3rd at the "Australian Best Driver's Car"
06-04-18, 07:08 AM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
LC500 takes 3rd at the "Australian Best Driver's Car"
https://www.motoring.com.au/abdc-aus...or-2018-112821
>> 1st – Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
>> 2nd – Honda Civic Type R
>> 3rd – Lexus LC 500
>> 4th – Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+
>> 5th – BMW M5
>> 6th – Hyundai i30 N
>> 7th – Audi RS 5 quattro
>> 8th – Subaru BRZ tS
>> 9th – Ford Mustang GT Track Pack
>> 10th – Mazda MX-5 RF Limited Edition
>> 11th – Kia Stinger 330Si
>> 12th – Suzuki Swift Sport
>> 13th – Nissan 370Z NISMO
>> 14th – Renault Clio RS 200 Cup
3rd place
2018 Lexus LC 500 performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 6.1sec
0-400m: 13.638sec @ 175.3km/h
Lap time: 1:38.128sec
Why is it here?
A performance Lexus like no other (i.e. highly driveable), the LC 500 is even better than it reads. And sounds every bit as good as it looks. It’s ability to surprise and delight feels like a dance you’ve never tried. But don’t worry; the Lexus LC 500 is happy to lead.
A stand-out luxury coupe packing a powerful V8 engine, the LC 500 brought the LF-LC concept to life with little compromise. All the right ingredients and high levels of mystique were certain to appeal to any open-minded motoring enthusiast.
What’s under the bonnet?
Beneath the exquisite metal form lives a Yamaha-tuned, 351kW/540Nm Lexus-built 5.0-litre V8 engine paired to a Lexus-first 10-speed automatic transmission.
An entirely new bespoke platform and body formed from steel, forged and cast aluminium and carbon-fibre composites envelopes the V8 engine that sits low in the chassis and has been pushed back to sit behind the front axle line for optimum weight distribution.
Meanwhile a newly developed double-ball-joint and strut front-end does its bit to ensure maximum grip, further collaborating with its rigid body that manipulates all power through the rear wheels.
Sound control valves fully exploit the V8 sound at start-up, stand still and on throttle. The Lexus’ hearty soundtrack proved a constant source of enjoyment. “Sounds more Group A Commodore than a Japanese screamer,” was James Whitbourn’s audible assessment.
How does it perform?
Our Victorian Alpine tour presented the LC 500 with roads many judges suggested could be too demanding for the weighty (1935kg). They were wrong. Crisp steering with good feedback made for a very satisfying drive. Excellent turn-in, strong brakes and a fast-acting 10-speed transmission delivers instant gratification of the sweetest kind. Excessive gear changes are a must.
Still, there was much speculation about just how this luxury coupe would carry itself when pushed to the limit both on Winton Motor Raceway and in straight-line testing.
On-track performance testing put to task not only the rear-drive, 10-speed V8, but also the LC’s limited slip diff and driver assist technology.
Our gun at the wheel, Luke Youlden, said “[The LC 500] absolutely provokes emotion, but felt it didn’t let the driver do their thing. It never quite trusts the driver to do without some sort of aid even with stability control switched ‘off’. It’s a safe car, but I think so there’s so much more potential there if the engineers could let it loose.”
Straight line testing saw the LC 500 finish fifth and sixth respectively for its 0-100km/h and 0-400m runs. A 1:38.128sec lap time around Winton’s National Circuit placed it fifth, behind the Mercedes-AMG, Alfa Romeo, BMW and Audi respecitvely.
Luke Youlden commented that the LC 500 didn’t possess the same levels of grip, and the “always active electronics are too conservative and overcompensate”. It’s no slouch though.
As you’d expect, it’s thirsty work. The LC 500 guzzled an average of 20.5L/100km over our (far from normal) test period.
Is it worth the asking price?
Shut up and take my money.
“This whole package is nothing short of amazing” said Greg Crick.
At a time when artisanal skills are king, the Lexus LC 500 takes the automotive crown. Its bespoke all-new platform wraps a hand-crafted interior; a tactile feast that is finished with precision-perfect levels of detail. The Mark Levinson 13-speaker surround sound noise-cancelling audio system is a wonder all its own. It’s fitting, given its near $200k price tag…
A fussy segment with vague parameters (copious money does that), the LC 500 is a valid competitor to many types that inhabit the luxury sports coupe offering – the likes of Jaguar’s F-TYPE V8 (from $228,000) and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (from $218,715) spring to mind.
>> 1st – Alfa Romeo Giulia QV
>> 2nd – Honda Civic Type R
>> 3rd – Lexus LC 500
>> 4th – Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4MATIC+
>> 5th – BMW M5
>> 6th – Hyundai i30 N
>> 7th – Audi RS 5 quattro
>> 8th – Subaru BRZ tS
>> 9th – Ford Mustang GT Track Pack
>> 10th – Mazda MX-5 RF Limited Edition
>> 11th – Kia Stinger 330Si
>> 12th – Suzuki Swift Sport
>> 13th – Nissan 370Z NISMO
>> 14th – Renault Clio RS 200 Cup
3rd place
2018 Lexus LC 500 performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 6.1sec
0-400m: 13.638sec @ 175.3km/h
Lap time: 1:38.128sec
Why is it here?
A performance Lexus like no other (i.e. highly driveable), the LC 500 is even better than it reads. And sounds every bit as good as it looks. It’s ability to surprise and delight feels like a dance you’ve never tried. But don’t worry; the Lexus LC 500 is happy to lead.
A stand-out luxury coupe packing a powerful V8 engine, the LC 500 brought the LF-LC concept to life with little compromise. All the right ingredients and high levels of mystique were certain to appeal to any open-minded motoring enthusiast.
What’s under the bonnet?
Beneath the exquisite metal form lives a Yamaha-tuned, 351kW/540Nm Lexus-built 5.0-litre V8 engine paired to a Lexus-first 10-speed automatic transmission.
An entirely new bespoke platform and body formed from steel, forged and cast aluminium and carbon-fibre composites envelopes the V8 engine that sits low in the chassis and has been pushed back to sit behind the front axle line for optimum weight distribution.
Meanwhile a newly developed double-ball-joint and strut front-end does its bit to ensure maximum grip, further collaborating with its rigid body that manipulates all power through the rear wheels.
Sound control valves fully exploit the V8 sound at start-up, stand still and on throttle. The Lexus’ hearty soundtrack proved a constant source of enjoyment. “Sounds more Group A Commodore than a Japanese screamer,” was James Whitbourn’s audible assessment.
How does it perform?
Our Victorian Alpine tour presented the LC 500 with roads many judges suggested could be too demanding for the weighty (1935kg). They were wrong. Crisp steering with good feedback made for a very satisfying drive. Excellent turn-in, strong brakes and a fast-acting 10-speed transmission delivers instant gratification of the sweetest kind. Excessive gear changes are a must.
Still, there was much speculation about just how this luxury coupe would carry itself when pushed to the limit both on Winton Motor Raceway and in straight-line testing.
On-track performance testing put to task not only the rear-drive, 10-speed V8, but also the LC’s limited slip diff and driver assist technology.
Our gun at the wheel, Luke Youlden, said “[The LC 500] absolutely provokes emotion, but felt it didn’t let the driver do their thing. It never quite trusts the driver to do without some sort of aid even with stability control switched ‘off’. It’s a safe car, but I think so there’s so much more potential there if the engineers could let it loose.”
Straight line testing saw the LC 500 finish fifth and sixth respectively for its 0-100km/h and 0-400m runs. A 1:38.128sec lap time around Winton’s National Circuit placed it fifth, behind the Mercedes-AMG, Alfa Romeo, BMW and Audi respecitvely.
Luke Youlden commented that the LC 500 didn’t possess the same levels of grip, and the “always active electronics are too conservative and overcompensate”. It’s no slouch though.
As you’d expect, it’s thirsty work. The LC 500 guzzled an average of 20.5L/100km over our (far from normal) test period.
Is it worth the asking price?
Shut up and take my money.
“This whole package is nothing short of amazing” said Greg Crick.
At a time when artisanal skills are king, the Lexus LC 500 takes the automotive crown. Its bespoke all-new platform wraps a hand-crafted interior; a tactile feast that is finished with precision-perfect levels of detail. The Mark Levinson 13-speaker surround sound noise-cancelling audio system is a wonder all its own. It’s fitting, given its near $200k price tag…
A fussy segment with vague parameters (copious money does that), the LC 500 is a valid competitor to many types that inhabit the luxury sports coupe offering – the likes of Jaguar’s F-TYPE V8 (from $228,000) and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (from $218,715) spring to mind.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 06-04-18 at 07:16 AM.
06-04-18, 07:28 AM
#2
Racer
Great job LC500..........But look at the numbers on those family sedans in comparison.......GRACIOUS...COME ON LEXUS
2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 4MATIC+ performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 4.5sec
0-400m: 12.036sec @ 199.6km/h
Lap time: 1:33.122sec
2018 BMW M5 performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 4.2sec
0-400m: 12.154sec @ 192.5km/h
Lap time: 1:35.313sec
2018 Lexus LC 500 performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 6.1sec
0-400m: 13.638sec @ 175.3km/h
Lap time: 1:38.128sec
2018 Mercedes-AMG E63 4MATIC+ performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 4.5sec
0-400m: 12.036sec @ 199.6km/h
Lap time: 1:33.122sec
2018 BMW M5 performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 4.2sec
0-400m: 12.154sec @ 192.5km/h
Lap time: 1:35.313sec
2018 Lexus LC 500 performance figures (as tested):
0-100km/h: 6.1sec
0-400m: 13.638sec @ 175.3km/h
Lap time: 1:38.128sec
06-04-18, 07:37 AM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Traction issues because of RWD, which is why it is below where it should be. On the brighter side, LC500 despite its 4370 lbs weight, lapped quicker than the Civic Type R, Mustang GT PP, Stinger GT, NISMO 370Z etc.
Last edited by 05RollaXRS; 06-04-18 at 07:42 AM.
06-04-18, 02:29 PM
#4
6.1 time 0-100kmh compared to Lexus claimed 4.4?? Something very wrong here and as I ''unofficially'' clocked a 4.8 with a passenger sitting next to me clocking with his TAG...
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