The Lexus’ flagship coupe has always aimed to provide “even sharper, more refined” performance. Changes introduced for the 2021 model year (and shared with the new LC 500 Convertible) deliver greater responsiveness, handling stability and agility, strengthening the driver’s feeling of being directly connected to the car.
An even sharper, more refined driving feel...
The Lexus LC series – Coupe and Convertible has all the qualities befitting a flagship range, representing the best in Lexus design, engineering and craftsmanship.
The LC Coupe – both the LC 500h hybrid and the V8-powered LC 500 – benefits from a series of improvements and innovations for the 2021 model year, detailed below. The result is an evolution in the model’s luxury motoring qualities, from its ride, handling and responsiveness to its comfort and multimedia functionality.
Lexus pursues linear operation that is faithful to driver’s intentions, such as in the seamless transition from deceleration to steering and acceleration during cornering, in all types of driving situations. In a further evolution of the “even sharper, more refined” philosophy of the LC, the new “Lexus Driving Signature” was born. This will be the new development standard every Lexus model will reflect going forward. This aspect of driving performance was a particular focus in the rigorous vehicle testing programme, resulting in numerous, incremental dynamic improvements. It’s this uncompromising attention to detail that has given the new LC models the kind of special performance quality that drivers will enjoy, even in everyday driving situations.
“For me, the LC 500h luxury coupe is all about the emotions. It features some of the most advanced automotive technologies ever created, including the Lexus Multi Stage Hybrid System and Lexus Safety System+. Yet it’s not the world-firsts that thrill me. It’s watching people fall in love with the LC the first time they drive it.”
Koji Sato, LC Chief Engineer
The Lexus’ flagship coupe has always aimed to provide “even sharper, more refined” performance. Changes introduced for the 2021 model year (and shared with the new LC 500 Convertible) deliver greater responsiveness, handling stability and agility, strengthening the driver’s feeling of being directly connected to the car.
To achieve its goals, Lexus has revised the suspension system, saving weight and improving ride and handling quality. Changes to the high-voltage hybrid battery control have produced more useful power and torque in the LC 500h, and adjustments have improved performance of the LC 500’s 10-speed automatic transmission. The steering has also been revised and the brakes tuned to communicate a better feel to the driver.
Changes to the LC Coupe’s suspension system (also adopted for the Convertible) deliver greater responsiveness, handling stability and agility, strengthening the driver’s feeling of being directly connected to the car and delivering an exhilarating driving experience.
A focus on weight saving has seen unsprung mass reduced by almost 10kg. This has been accomplished principally with changes to the suspension, including the use of aluminium lower arms, lighter, hollow anti-roll bars with a revised diameter and a new high-strength material for the coil springs.
Once the weight savings were secured, attention turned to updating the suspension for a smooth, softer stroke, giving the driver a stronger feel of the road. The electronic front shock absorber controls have been adjusted to give a longer stroke, and bound stopper rigidity has been optimised to help create a smoother suspension stroke overall. Rear anti-roll bar rigidity has been increased to improve front turn-in performance and provide more linear steering input, again helping make the driver feel more connected to the road.
