Lexus LC 500 Convertible: is this the world’s most beautiful convertible car?

The design boffins at Lexus were given a “simple” task: create the world’s most beautiful convertible car. And the result of their work is the Lexus LC 500 Convertible.

With rivals such as McLaren, Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini sitting - as Auto Express puts it - “top of the convertible tree”, the Lexus design team’s brief was a straightforward but considerable challenge.

Launching in autumn 2020 with two versions - standard and Sport+ Pack - Lexus was determined that the LC Convertible should “preserve the essential styling motifs of the LC coupe”. New sporty and elegant features have been introduced while a special focus has been to maintain the coupe roofline through soft-top design and engineering.

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The line of the roof was to be key to the designers achieving their goal.

Chief designer Tadao Mori said: “Although there are many convertible models out there, few of them are stylish and elegant both when the roof is open and closed. Particularly when the roof is raised, ridge lines in the uneven surface tend to give an unrefined impression.

“That’s why, for the LC Convertible’s design, we put maximum effort into realising the same beautiful roof line as the coupe.”

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How much will it cost?

Lexus has announced the prices for its V8-powered LC 500 Convertible, which is available in two versions: standard and Sport+ Pack.

The standard LC 500 Convertible starts from £90,775 while the LC 500 Convertible Sport+ Pack starts from £96,625. Order books are open and the scheduled first vehicle deliveries to customers will take place this autumn.

On the LC 500 Convertible, the Sport+ Pack specification includes 21-inch forged alloy wheels, semi-aniline leather seat upholstery and integrated neck heaters.

Further options for both convertible models include a full colour head-up display with Lexus card key, 17-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System and special metallic paint finishes (Sonic Silver, Sonic Titanium, Sonic Red and Naples Yellow).

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What the experts say about the LC Convertible

Vijay Pattni, Top Gear

“Well, that’s a tonic for the senses, isn’t it? It is quite lovely indeed. One might go as far as saying, it is really, really ridiculously good-looking. It is important to ascertain just how good looking the LC cabrio is. It takes the coupe’s clean, sharp surfacing to maintain a really clean silhouette. The stance is good. The proportions are spot on. And roof down, it looks fantastic.”

Tim Pollard, CAR magazine

“It’s an entirely predictable, if elegant, decapitation job. The alfresco skills should really suit the LC’s demeanour, and we’d say it’s a good way of doubling the LC’s footprint and expanding sales in what remains a niche sector. Proving that the luxury world is turning against the theatrics of a folding metal roof, there’s a soft-top hood that’s electrically powered, dropping under a tonneau cover in 15 seconds or rising to keep out the elements in 16sec. Lexus says it’s added copious bracing to maintain the rigidity of the coupe. Neck heaters and a transparent wind deflector should keep the worst of the slipstream at bay, so you don’t put your coiffure under too much strain.”

In pictures: Lexus LC Convertible

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