Daily Slideshow: An LC500h in the Outback

On Conservatism

Speedhunters started out their recent quasi-review of the LC500h by describing Japanese culture. "Spend any extended amount of time in Japan and one societal characteristic that you’ll pick up on is conservatism," they explain. "There’s a stigma against standing out or drawing too much attention, be it to oneself, to a company, or even to a product. It’s something that is so deeply ingrained into society as a whole that it’s pretty much everywhere you look." Continuing, they contrasted that idea with today's Lexus and praised the company for taking chances, stating, "the company worked hard to sculpt and devise a strong DNA." The publication credits Akio Toyoda for many of the changes, and for standing up to "the 'bean counters' and taking on a company "known for building boring and uninspiring cars that were designed by committee."

Then, talk turned to the subject at hand, the LC500h, a model they say "filled a void that nobody even realized existed." They admit to not understanding the point of the LC but came to understand it a little better when a Lexus rep lent them one. Or as they put it: "it honestly never really made much sense to me until I had the chance to spend a few days with one during my trip to Sydney, Australia last year for the 2017 Yokohama World Time Attack Challenge." Let's see what they learned...

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

On Hybrids

Speedhunters explains that they really wanted to drive a V8-equipped LC500 in Japan prior to this test, but weren't able to. "But that’s OK, the tamer and more daily-friendly 500h was a great way to familiarize myself with the chassis before I get into one that makes all the right noises," they said. That's great, as I'm sure the Lexus rep counted on an open-minded assessment when they handed over the keys to Lexus's flagship coupe. In discussing the engine they had this to say: "This is where things get very complicated. If it was the LC 500, I’d tell you there’s a revised 471hp 5.0L V8 from the GS F driving the rear wheels through an automatic transmission. That’s it, a good old-fashioned naturally aspirated V8 that revs gloriously and can be shifted manually through all of its 10 gears." They also add that "a V6 like the one in the LC 500h can still feel potent even if it’s only generating 295hp. Add the electric motors into the mix and you get a combined power output of 354hp, still considerably less than the V8-powered version."

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

On the Transmission

Speedhunters identified their key issue—how the electric motor, gasoline engine, and the transmission deliver power to the road, or as they put it, ". . . how all these systems are managed, integrated and used." they elaborated: "The answer? In a very confusing and baffling way, to be honest. The LC 500h runs Lexus’s multi-stage transmission, a CVT bolted onto a 4-speed automatic. It’s all devised to help expand the hybrid’s operating range, so EV drive can now be used at higher speeds, and that’s a good thing." They liked how, in Sport modes, there are ten audible shifts, and they also liked paddle shifting, saying they thought it made them feel more involved with the driving experience.

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

On the Styling

Discussion of the LC's styling started out like this: "It’s easy to get lost in the details of this car, simply because there are many." They say that they wouldn't call the car's styling cluttered, but they did call it complicated, as well as "beautifully flowing." They seem to approve of the spindle grille, complimenting its simultaneous aggressiveness and luxuriousness.

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

On Quality

Speedhunters rightly note the LC's peerless build quality, singling out panel gaps, not only for their alignment but also for being "ridiculously tight." They opined that one of Lexus's top goals is, "making its cars feel like those over-engineered sedans of the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, which felt so solid." They feel Lexus has achieved this and bettered it with an 'evolved finesse.'

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

On the Interior

Speedhunters joined the universal chorus of praise for the LC500's interior trim, and its instrument cluster package with a sliding tachometer. They also joined the equally vocal group when it came to the car's infotainment system. Stating that it was what they liked least, but allow that they understood Lexus' reasoning: "I get that it wants to be different." They found the touchpad system "overly complex and attention-grabbing," and bemoaned the lack of Apple Car Play or Android Auto connectivity.

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

On Australia

Most of the review is centered around discussion of the idea of the car, and as such, Australia takes a back seat. "The day before I flew back to Tokyo, I met up with Sydney-based Speedhunter Matt and hit some of his local photography locations with the big coupe," they explained. The main mention of the country comes when an inquisitive neighbor couple comes up to investigate during the photoshoot. The gentleman of the couple was an Aussie-loyal car guy with a fondness for V8s, though he mentioned that his son had built a few Nissan Silvia drift cars. According to the writer, the local "couldn’t fault the LC and its interior."

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

In Conclusion

The crew at Speedhunters left as they came, wanting a V8. "My drive of the LC 500h left me wanting more, not only to have a proper play with the V8 version, but also think a little into the future." It was their opinion that ". . . no, Lexus hybrids aren’t aimed for fun behind the wheel." But they see a something on the horizon that might sate their hunger: "For a while now, we’ve been hearing rumors of an LC F, the most powerful Lexus ever and a car that could be powered by an all-new twin-turbo V8 with power figures well over the 600hp mark." Until they are able to borrow one of those we can enjoy these photos of a beautiful 300+ HP sport coupe being piloted down twisty farm roads. The feature was photo-heavy, including more 'meta' photos of photos being taken, so check it out if you want to see more!

>>Join the conversation about Speedhunters' Lexus LC500h review right here in Club Lexus.

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