Lexus IS 500 vs Lexus LC 500. Which V8-Powered, Rear-Wheel Drive Lexus Is Faster?
The IS 500 and LC 500 may share an engine, and drive layout, but they are very different cars. Which is quicker from a dig and a roll?
There are not many naturally aspirated, V8-powered, rear-wheel drive cars left in the world. And Lexus has a few of them. The achingly beautiful LC 500 performance coupe and the practical and powerful IS 500 both share the same engine. As does the RC F that is not featured here. According to Lexus the V8 makes 472 horsepower in the IS 500 but the LC 500 must make do with a mere 471 horsepower. Although the LC 500 has a 3 pound-feet torque advantage at 398 versus 395 for the IS 500. In other words, the power output is nearly identical. In fact, Lexus quotes a 0 to 60 time of 4.4 seconds for each of them. So, in a drag race they must be a dead heat, right? Well, let’s not jump to conclusions. While the cars have some similarities, they have several key differences as well.
In a recent video posted on the Sam CarLegion YouTube channel the two cars were pitted against each other. They raced from a dig and from a roll to see which one was faster in the real world. The LC 500 tips the scales at hefty 4,340 pounds. That is nearly 450 pounds heavier than the IS 500. But the IS 500 comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The LC 500 sports a 10-speed automatic. Will the gearing make a difference? Can the LC 500 overcome the weight penalty? This is going to be close.
Drag Racing
The first couple races were from a standing start. In the first race the IS 500 had a bit too much wheel slip at the line. This enabled the LC 500 to open up a car length gap that the sedan was never able to close. The winner of the first heat was the LC 500. In the second race from a dig, it looks like the IS 500 driver had a slightly better reaction time and got a better launch. That combination was too much for the LC 500 to overcome. The second race went to the IS 500. Race number three was almost a carbon copy of race two. The IS 500 got a small jump and hooked up well and was well ahead by the end. So, the sedan took two of three races from the coupe.
Roll Race
Next up was a roll race with both cars going 30 mph before standing on the gas. And in this race, there is really nothing in it. Both cars stayed glued to each other all the way to the end. It was fascinating to see just how even the two cars are in this type of race. The Lexus coupe does have a higher top speed. The LC 500 will hit 168 mph versus 149 mph in the IS 500. So eventually the coupe will pull away but that is not something that will ever happen in the real world. At least outside of the unlimited speed limit sections of the autobahn.
Lessons Learned
Both cars are fast and honestly pretty evenly matched in performance. They were close enough in all races that you can’t really say that one was definitively faster than the other. It comes down to what you want and need in a car. When it comes to outright speed you can call it a draw. The LC 500 sounds better. And the coupe is one of the best-looking cars on the market. Not that the IS sedan is ugly but the LC coupe is stunning. On the other hand, the IS 500 is much more practical and significantly less expensive. If you have the means, grab one of each. It would fill out a two-car garage nicely.
The Video
Watch the video below to see these cars in action. You will see for yourself just how evenly matched they are. You can’t be blamed for picking one over the other. There is no loser in this group. Thank you, Lexus, for making these available to us. The days of the naturally aspirated V8 may be numbered, but they aren’t dead yet.
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