Lexus is an official sponsor at this year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and it’s using its platform to unveil the LC Inspiration Series Concept. According to Lexus, the one-off LC500 represents the ultimate expression of the flagship coupé. As such, it features plenty of exclusive upgrades in the exterior and interior that looks similar to the ones worn by the LC500 Yellow Edition, a limited-run version of the coupé that Lexus launched in Europe earlier this month.
Update 12/12/2018: We've updated this review with images taken at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Check them out in our gallery below!
2018 Lexus LC500 Inspiration Concept
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- Model: 2018 Lexus LC500 Inspiration Concept
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What Makes the 2019 Lexus LC500 Inspiration Concept Special
Even though both models share a lot in common, the Lexus LC Inspiration Series Concept is a different model from the LC500 Yellow Edition. The Inspiration Series Concept is a showcase model whereas the Yellow Edition is actually sold in the Old Continent.
Still, both models share more than just the “special” billing. The LC Inspiration Series Concept wears the same Flare Yellow paint finish that the LC500 Yellow Edition came in. Lexus also applied a dark theme on the concept’s carbon fiber roof and the active rear spoiler. To help act as a contrast to the exuberant yellow body, Lexus installed a set of 21-inch black-forged alloy wheels with a different spoke design compared to the V-spoked wheels that the LC500 Yellow Edition got.
Step inside the interior of the LC Inspiration Series Concept and the cabin looks, well, familiar. Yellow accents abound in the concept, just as it did in the LC500 Yellow Edition. The Alcantara door inserts, for example, come in yellow. It’s the same story with the stitching of the semi-aniline leather upholstery on the seats of the coupe. It’s also in yellow. Look closely at the stitching on the instrument panel, center console, and glove box, and they’re all yellow, too. A lot of the interior’s design is identical to what the LC500 Yellow Edition received. That said, there’s no mention of an Alcantara headliner on the LC Inspiration Series Concept so we’ll assume that this particular design feature is limited to the LC500 Yellow Edition.
No changes were made to the Lexus LC500’s 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V-8 engine. It still produces 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, enough juice to help it accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.4 seconds. Top speed is clocked at 168 mph while the coupe’s fuel economy rating returns 16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
Lexus hasn’t announced its plans for the LC Inspiration Series Concept beyond showing it off at Pebble Beach this weekend. Based on the Inspiration Series’ short history, though, don’t be surprised if Lexus turns the concept into a special edition, limited run production model. This is, after all, the second Lexus LC that’s included in the Inspiration Series line. The first one made its debut back in October 2017 with ties to the Black Panther movie that hit cinemas back in February. It was limited to 100 units and came with, among other things, a a first-of-its-kind paint technique called Structural Blue.
If the Lexus LC Inspiration Series Concept follows that same road, we could see Lexus offering it in very limited quantities sooner than later.
Further reading
Read our full review on the 2018 Lexus LC 500.
Read our full driven review on the 2018 Lexus LC 500.
Read more Lexus news.
Read more Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance news.