Lexus Creates a New Color For the LC
When Lexus sets out to do something they really do put their all into it. Case and point is this new color that adorns a limited quantity of their halo LC car that took a staggering 15 years to get just right. I think we all could learn a thing or two about patience from the brand.
From none other than Lexus
The people at Lexus are perfectionists... but you already knew that. They care so much about every bit and component that goes into their vehicles that they wanted to create a new color, especially for the LC. It only took them fifteen damn years to come up with it. The limited quantity of the LC coupes that will wear the paint that contains 300 billion nano-structure blue pigment flakes and will go by the name of the Structural Blue Edition.
>>Join the conversation about the Structural Blue Edition LC right here in the forum.
Not technically blue but still blue
The particular choice of blue was inspired by none other than the Morpho butterfly, with the development of the finish taking eight months and utilizing 12 production steps with over 20 quality control inspections. "Native to North and South America, this butterfly is renowned for the deep, shimmering blue of its wings." What's interesting in this next part is that Lexus was inspired by not only the color that the butterfly had but how the insect creates it. "But in fact, the wings are colorless. The blue we see is created by light interference on their microscopic lattice surface structure."
>>Join the conversation about the Structural Blue Edition LC right here in the forum.
All hands on deck
The Japanese brand even sought out the help from their Tec Centers here in the states and back home in Japan, in addition, to help from VIAVI Solutions. The goal from the beginning was to create the most lustrous blue paint that has ever been seen on a vehicle anywhere. The paint job first made headlines at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show and is now the real deal Holyfield on these fancy finite LCs. The process to create a Structural Blue LC takes so long that only TWO can be produced per work day.
>>Join the conversation about the Structural Blue Edition LC right here in the forum.
So that's why it took so long!
So what's in this Structural Blue that makes it so special? Well, the paint finish features a special kind of pigment that has no less than 40 separate layers, including a 15-micrometer layer between the primer and clear coats. Take a moment to let this sink in; the Structural Blue paint also has nanostructures in the paint that work to generate the same iridescence that is found on the Blue Morpho's wings. That iridescence creates a chameleon-like effect of the paint changing shades depending on how and how much light shines on it. The Structural Blue is fully capable of reflecting back 100% of the light that comes in contact with it while other conventional paints can only reflect just 50% of incoming light.
>>Join the conversation about the Structural Blue Edition LC right here in the forum.
Fingers crossed for some domestic sales
If you are able to get your hands on one of these LCs there will be other unique changes to the car such as a blue trim interior with the color appearing on the steering wheel and dashboard. On the car will be carbon fiber scuff plates and 21-inch forged alloy wheels. Tech-wise the car will get standard Premium Navigation, Climate Concierge, Lexus Safety System+, and a Pioneer Sound System.
The Structural Blue Edition is available now in Europe, but at this point there is no announcement of the car being made available for the U.S. market. Lexus spokesperson Nancy Hubbell did say that the brand is looking into making those domestic sales a possibility with the "We don’t have any announcements at this time" statement. Look for the car to make its official world debut at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show next week.
>>Join the conversation about the Structural Blue Edition LC right here in the forum.