2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible: Lightweight Soft-Top, V8 Power … – Automoblog

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Our love affair with the Lexus LC extends to its drop-top sibling, the LC 500 Convertible. The 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible’s three-figure price tag is steep by any measure, but it’s the prettiest and comfiest grand-touring drop-top coupe in the league of C8 Corvettes, BMWs, and Porsches. We don’t care if it’s not the quickest or pointiest soft-top GT coupe. All it takes is a passing glance, and our knees turn to mush at the mere thought of flogging the LC 500’s naturally-aspirated V8, and we’ll do it with the top down and sunglasses in tow with nary a second thought.
Lexus took the “don’t fix what isn’t broke” approach with the 2023 LC 500 Convertible. Lexus claims the convertible is no “mere crop-topped replica” of its hardtop brethren, and that’s nice. Then again, the automaker tinkered with the things that matter to dial up the chop-top’s performance hops.
New for 2023 is what Lexus calls a lightweight four-layer soft top with magnesium, aluminum, and a hydraulic system that promises silent and seamless operation. The top can open or close at up to 31 mph and does so in about 15 seconds either way. Moreover, the window controls move in sync with the roof, meaning it takes a single button press to reveal yourself to the world.
Lexus has updated the exterior color palette of the new LC 500 Convertible. The top is available in Black and Sand, but buyers can select from new paint colors, including Ultra White, Cadmium Orange, Infrared, Cloudburst Gray, Caviar, and Flare Yellow, to name a few. What’s more, the interior is available in black, red, or brown (Toasted Caramel).
The 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible will soldier on with a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8 under the hood shared with the LC 500 Coupe. It pumps out 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft. of torque. Power goes exclusively to the rear wheels via a Direct-Shift 10-speed automatic. Lexus claims zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and an electronically-limited 168 mph top speed.
Lexus fitted an automatic control valve that sends V8 engine noises directly to the cabin, a similar tactic it employed for the glorious LFA supercar. However, the LC 500 has active noise control to filter excess wind and tire roar, whether the top is up or down.
The Lexus name is synonymous with reliable luxury. The Driving Signature philosophy aims to make “sportiness” part of the core Lexus DNA. The LC 500 Convertible has an optimized adaptive variable suspension with revised front dampers, new coil springs, custom bushings, and transversely-mounted, Yamaha-tuned rear dampers. Standard are 20-inch cast-alloy wheels wrapped in run-flat tires, while 21-inch forged rollers are optional.
The 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible goes for that endless summer vibe with a new Climate Concierge HVAC system. The system has upper-body heating features that automatically run the air conditioner, seat heaters, neck heaters, and heated steering wheel. It also means you can enjoy the drop-top majesty of the LC 500 in the dead of winter, but you didn’t hear it from us.
Standard in the 2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is a 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with split-screen capabilities and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Alexa connectivity. Other standard equipment includes keyless entry, push-button start, LED headlights, power front seats, navigation, and a 12-speaker premium audio system.
Safety-wise, the LC 500 Convertible is standard with Lexus Safety System+. The advanced driving assistance package includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, lane keeping assist, dynamic radar cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, active roll bars, automatic high beams, and more.
The latest Lexus LC 500 Convertible starts at $102,650 (including the $1,150 destination charge) and will arrive in U.S. dealerships by late 2022.
Alvin Reyes is an Automoblog feature columnist and an expert in sports and performance cars. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine.
Photos & Source: Lexus.
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