As one of the most powerful and influential people in the Marvel Universe, you would think that Wakandan king T’Challa would have no problem procuring some of the most exotic supercars in the world. A Bugatti Chiron perhaps? Maybe a Koenigsegg Regera? But, the man who also is known as the Black Panther is far from a flashy fellow - his costume’s all-black! - so he’s probably not into the flaunting-his-wealth lifestyle that his colleague Tony Stark seems to be obsessed with. It’s also likely to be one of the reasons why he’s more than comfortable being spotted in a Lexus LC, and as fate - or marketing - would have it, we’re going to see exactly that at the 2017 SEMA Auto Show when Lexus brings a heavily dressed LC 500 dripping in Black Panther regalia.

For the record, Lexus actually created two LC 500 models for the promotion of the Black Panther movie. One of them is called the Lexus LC Inspiration Series. It's more subdued than the other, owing to it being a special edition release that will be limited to just 100 units. The other unit, called the Black Panther Inspired LC, is a complete one-off and is not for sale. It’s also dripping in Wakandan technology, which isn’t a real thing to begin with, but awesome to imagine nevertheless. Hard to imagine Lexus suddenly getting resources from a fictional kingdom that gives them access to self-healing paint and vibranium-powered core indicator nodes, but you get the point. If you're excited about getting the special edition unit that will be on sale, you might want to be on the look-out for when Lexus actually offers it up to the public. There’s not that many, to begin with, and considering the popularity of the Marvel Universe in this day and age, there’s a good chance all 100 units will be scooped up faster than it takes T’Challa to put on his Black Panther costume.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Lexus LC 500 Inspired by Black Panther.

2017 Lexus LC 500 Inspired By Black Panther

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Lexus LC 500 Inspired By Black Panther
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Lexus Black Panther Inspired LC special

- Pulsating underbody glow - Side-view mirror design - Black Panther mask inlay on hood with vibranium-powered core indicator nodes - Vibranium-infused self-healing paint treatment - Customized body-widening kit - Wakandan B-CPU (Brain/Computer Interface) system - Remote Pilot Kimoyo Bead Interface

Let’s get started with the Black Panther Inspired LC Concept first because this is the one that’s literally out of this world. The biggest takeaway from this model is its prevalent use of vibranium, the super precious metal that can only be found in the kingdom of Wakanda. It’s also the same metal that makes up Captain America’s shield so you know it’s made from the good stuff. Somewhat incredibly, the Lexus LC 500 gets generous helpings of vibranium, including on the aesthetic front where the coupe’s sheet metal is reinforced with a layer of vibranium weave, making the concept virtually indestructible. If that’s not enough, Lexus also found a way to get its hands on vibranium-powered core indicator nodes that give the coupe unlimited fuel. Yep. Unlimited fuel.

Oh, and the concept is also fully autonomous, all thanks to a Remote Pilot Kimoyo Bead Interface whose functions are completely way over my head. All I know is that with this tech in place, the LC can be “driven remotely from control stations within Birnin Zana.” Good enough for me. From an aesthetic standpoint, the LC gets a wide-body kit and underbody glow because why not. The design of the side mirror is shaped like a panther’s claw and it has “instinctual positioning technology” that aligns with the driver’s eyeline automatically.

All that said, the most important feature of the Black Panther Inspired LC Concept is its Wakandan Brain/Computer Interface, a technology that’s able to create a symbiotic relationship between the driver and the actual car. Think of it in terms of the Jaeger program in Pacific Rim. In other words, it’s as futuristic as it is above and beyond rational explanation.

Unfortunately, all this tech-inspired wizardry doesn't apply in the real world so don't expect this concept to go up for sale anytime soon. If it did, prepare to be massively disappointed when you realize that all that talk of vibranium-powered core indicators and Wakandan Brain/Computer Interfaces are nothing more than figments of Lexus' imagination.

References

Lexus LC

Read our full review on the 2018 Lexus LC.

Read our full review on the 2018 Lexus LC Structural Blue Edition.