Lexus is turning to the open seas as the inspiration behind its latest special edition model. Evoking the ambiance of a luxury marina — Lexus’ words, not mine — the Toyota-owned luxury brand is commemorating the opening of orders for the new LC Convertible by rolling out a special edition LC droptop called the Regatta Edition.

Dressed to impress, the LC Convertible Regatta Edition’s theme has roots to the origin story of the LC’s design, which Lexus described as being inspired by ocean-going yachts. It’s a saucy piece, for sure, but sadly, access to the LC Regatta Edition is going to be very difficult. Lexus didn’t say how many units of the LC Regatta Edition it plans to build, but allocations in the U.K. and Europe have completely dried up. No word yet on how many units are headed to America, or if they’re still available, to begin with.

2021 Lexus LC Convertible Regatta Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2021 Lexus LC Convertible Regatta Edition
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 471 @ 7100
  • Torque: 398 @ 4800
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

What’s so special about the Lexus LC Convertible Regatta Edition?

Lexus is the author of a list of impressive special edition models, so it’s no surprise that the Lexus LC Convertible Regatta Edition hits us in all the right spots. It’s not a particularly flamboyant special edition, but the exclusive touches mesh with the roadster’s identity, making the Regatta Edition look all the more natural.

Let’s start with the color scheme. Lexus calls the exclusive paint “Structural Blue,” which a lot of you may have already heard of. Lexus first showcased the unique paint finish at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show before using it on, ironically, a special edition LC Coupe called the “Structural Blue Edition” a year later.

It also comes with nano structures in the paint that help generate iridescence, a unique characteristic that creates the impression of the blue paint finish changing shades depending on the amount of light it’s subjected to. Lexus took 15 years to perfect that specific shade of paint before showing it off in Geneva four years ago. That tells you how important the paint is, and that Lexus doesn’t just use it on every special edition model it creates.

In many ways, the LC Convertible Regatta Edition is special because of its paint alone. But there’s also more to it than that. The hood, for example, is finished in a different Marine Blue shade that’s in place to mirror the LC Coupe’s roofline. The interior looks as clean as it can be in white leather. The material covers a majority of the LC Convertible Regatta Edition’s interior surface, including the seats, steering wheel, headlining, and even the interior facings of the front pillars. Adding some much-needed contrast is the deep blue paint that you can see on the instrument panel and door cards. More blue accents can be found on the headrests, upper shoulder area, and grab handles of the LC Convertible.

Lexus LC Convertible specifications

Type

V8, aluminum block and cylinder heads

Displacement

5.0 liters

Bore x Stroke

94.0 X 89.5 mm / 3.7 X 3.5 in

Compression Ratio

12.3 : 1

Horsepower

471 HP @ 7,100 RPM

Torque

398 LB-FT @ 4,800 RPM

0-60 mph

4.4 seconds

Top Track Speed

168 mph


Final Thoughts

I don’t need any convincing when it comes to Lexus’ special edition models. I’ve long been a fan of what Toyota’s premium brand rolls out. If it can spend almost two decades perfecting a specific kind of paint to use on a special edition model, then I’m all for what other things Lexus can pull off in the name of exclusivity.

The LC Convertible Regatta Edition is themed accordingly, but, in essence, this model is just the convertible version of the Lexus LC Coupe Structural Blue Edition that we saw in 2017. Not that there’s anything wrong with it; if Lexus wants to tout its Structural Blue paint finish under the guise of a differently themed special edition name, then by all means, do it. The important thing, after all, is the content of the book, not the title.