In the Works: Lexus LC 500 Convertible, LC F, and LC Hybrid

By adpock - January 18, 2016

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The upcoming 2018 LC 500 looks absolutely stunning. Now imagine it without a top. And while you’re at, go ahead and imagine an LC F variant. And heck, while you’re musing, go ahead and envision an LC Hybrid, one that doesn’t sound at all like your average, boring hybrid.

If you’re having trouble imagining any of those things, worry not, because hard evidence is on the way: you’ll see them all in the near future. According to The Detroit Bureau, Lexus is indeed planning an LC 500 Convertible, an LC F, and an LC Hybrid.

Expect to see “a number of additional variants,” according to a senior executive at Lexus, something backed up in conversations with several other officials at Lexus and its parent, Toyota. They’re all getting the blessing of Toyota President Akio Toyoda, who is intent on shedding the brand’s plain vanilla image.

The first of the three new LC variants is expected to be the convertible version, which should debut sometime in late 2018, as a 2019 model. Obviously there’s a lot of time between now and then, but plenty of folks have already started imagining what the car might look like, including CarThrottle‘s render above.

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When the LC 500 debuts next year, as a 2018 model, it will undoubtedly be considered a performance car. While it will enjoy all the benefits of the 5-liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine found in the RC F and GS F, the car itself will not be in the F family. So expect the LC F to be even more well-equipped, at least to the tune of 600hp. But we’ll have to wait and see where that extra oomph will come from. And what the car looks like, of course, but the CarThrottle rendering above sure looks good to me.

As far as the LC Hybrid goes, think more in terms of Tesla than Toyota. We’re still talking about performance here, people. Which makes sense, as many of the luxury stalwarts are leaning in the performance electric direction.

It’s awfully fun to imagine what all these LC variants might look like, so if you want to see some more guesses, head over to our list of the top LC renders. There’s a couple more LC F and LC Convertible musings; alas, we haven’t seen anyone rushing out to render the LC Hybrid just yet.