Drop Top LC Convertible Stuns at L.A. Auto Show
Lexus’ LC Convertible loses none of its beautiful coupe lines, and gains more audio pleasure.
Making changes to an already great design is somewhat difficult. That could be said about the LC500, who’s lines are some of the best on any modern road car. What would it look like as an LC convertible? Now we know, and we’re not upset. At all.
Taking center stage at the L.A. Auto Show, we were able to get up-close to the drop-top LC Convertible for the first time. Painted in stunning blue, lines for the open top keep the LC’s signature wide haunches and sleek lines intact. Lines on the trunk are a bit different, with a higher trunk lid. The rear spoiler is also widened compared to the coupe. You nearly have to see the coupe and convertible side by side to detect these changes.
Interestingly, the CL convertible will be a soft top. This luxury GT convertible segment typically has retractable hard top convertibles. This opens up interesting paint and soft top color combinations. This choice for a soft top may have been made in order to keep the rear seats. Or it may have been made in order to keep weight down. Lexus claims the difference in weight between the coupe and convertible is subtle, but the convertible still tips the scales at a hefty 4,497 lbs.
Lexus has not announced any driveline changes from the LC500. This isn’t a bad thing, as Lexus’ 5.0 V8 is a high revving wonder. Specific for the convertible, intake pulses are actually channeled into the cabin for a more visceral sound while the top is down. There’s no news on whether an LC500h hybrid convertible will be made. This might be due to packaging interference between where the hybrid battery would be and the soft top would go. Lexus could always surprise us at a later date.
Most of the country is starting to prepare for winter, so the timing of a convertible seems odd. Remember though, this is a pre-production car. Lexus claims it will hit showrooms just in time for summer of 2020.
Join the Club Lexus forums now!
