Nobody’s going to argue that 2020’s been a bit of a wet blanket and almost every industry has taken quite a hit. The automotive industry wasn’t spared either but if there’s any consolation to be had, it’ll be the Lexus LC 500 Convertible that we’re calling the most gorgeous new car of 2020.
Yes, the year technically isn’t over yet but we’re calling it. Fight us if you disagree, we have insurance.
Lexus has always danced to its own tune and although that “uncle” trope is now but a distant speck in the rear-view mirror, nobody would’ve have expected that they’d be the last chefs still whipping up a grand tourer based on the classic recipe that many have lost their palate for.
A long sweeping hood with minimalistic lines linking the simple design and topped off with a true-blue naturally-aspirated V8 under the hood… from Lexus in the year 2020.
That’s precisely what the LC 500 Convertible is and we concur with the RM1,350,500 asking price. Lexus being Lexus, that’s on-the-road and inclusive of a five-year unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled maintenance for the first 100,000km.
Grand tourers may not be outright performance machines but they’re still expected to deliver some impressive numbers. Here, that’s 15-seconds to drop the top and 16-seconds to reverse the process at speeds up to 50kph.
The familiar 5.0-litre V8 under the hood is hiding 470hp and 540Nm of torque. A 10-speed automatic sends it all to the rear wheels. Hold on to your toupee or cap as it dispatches the century mark in a scant 4.9-seconds and is limited to 270kph. Adaptive dampers at each corner ensures the ride is as calming as its looks.
Apart from the soft-top, the LC 500 Convertible and Coupe are as identical as can be. So, don’t expect any surprises in the cabin apart from the transparent wind deflector between the seats that functions to reduce wind buffeting up to 60kph.
The rest comprises the 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster that adopts different layouts depending on the drive mode. Entertainment is courtesy of the 10.3-inch that links the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity with the 13-speaker Mark levinson sound system.
Completing the safety suite is the Lexus Safety System + (LSS+). You’ll find the usual active safety tech such as pre-collision warning and braking, lane departure alert with lane keep assist and dynamic cruise control that’s perfect for helping you swallow up highway miles. Hidden behind the seats is an active roll-bar that’ll pop up in the event of a rollover.
Malaysian owners that put their Montblanc pens to paper will receive their cars in February of 2021.
