The 2018 Lexus LC500 has the pedigree of a proper sports car, though it's far better at being a fantastic grand touring coupe. Still, it packs a wallop behind that Spindle Grille and it hides plenty of high-tech gadgetry under its carbon fiber reinforced plastic body panels.

Continue reading for more on the 2018 Lexus LC500.

The coupe features Lexus’ familiar 5.0-liter DOHC V-8 with variable valve timing on both its intake and exhaust cams. Direct injection feeds premium fuel into the cylinders as a 12.3:1 compression ratio squeezes the most out of each drop of dino juice. Four valves per cylinder keep the V-8 breathing easy, aided by a free-flowing dual exhaust and intake system.

The result is 471 horsepower at an astonishingly high 7,100 rpm and a modest 398 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm.

Lexus then pairs the V-8 with an impressive 10-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to an available limited-slip differential between the rear wheels. The 10-speed provides smooth shifts when tooling around with the drive mode set to Comfort and almost dual-clutch quick shifts when in Sport Plus and under heavy acceleration. Downshifts are equally quick and result in a blip in revs and a crackle from the V-8’s exhaust. The noise will also crack a smile on anyone’s face so long as they have a pulse.

Lexus says the LC500 will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 168 mph. Those stats aren’t terrible considering the LC500’s rather porky mass. Yep, despite the coupe having those swanky lightweight body panels, the car weighs 4,280 pounds. By comparison, the slightly smaller Lexus RC F with the same V-8 weights only 3,958 pounds.

Impressively, the LC500 stops with authority. That’s thanks to the massive 15.7-inch, two-piece vented front rotors being clamped by six-piston monoblock aluminum calipers. The rears are also huge at 14.1 inches. They are also two-piece vented rotors and uses four-piston monoblock aluminum calipers. Brake fade from excessive heat should be something the LC500 never encounters.

The car is shod with equally impressive tires. Michelin Pilot Super Sport summer performance tires are standard. My tester came with the optional 21-inch wheels with the front tires sized at 245/40R21 and the rear at 275/35R21.

Those willing to pay $5,960 for the Performance Package get even more performance goodies. Chief among them is Active Rear Steering. The system works in conjunction with the Variable Gear-Ratio Steering that’s also a part of the Performance Package to create a more balanced and stable ride during brisk maneuvers. A Torsen limited-slip rear differential is also included in the package, along with a speed-actuated rear spoiler, among other add-ons. The LSD is also part of the less-expensive Sport Package.

All told, the Lexus LC500 makes for a fantastic grand touring coupe that has a respectable level of performance, a fantastic sounding exhaust, and looks to die for. I’ll be covering more aspects of the LC500 in the coming days, so stay tuned to TopSpeed.com for that.

References

Lexus LC

The Lexus LC500’s Interior is Breathtaking

Read our full review on the 2018 Lexus LC 500.

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