Maureen Ihua-Maduenyi
Ahead of the Paris Motor Show in October, Lexus has unveiled a special edition version of its LC which will be showcased at the major auto event.
The automaker says the Lexus LC features a unique paint finish and interior colour scheme, plus extra kit, and that as the name suggests, it is a special run version of the Japanese brand’s four-seat coupe, which features a unique colour scheme and gets some extra equipment.
Auto Express reports that the most obvious feature of the Limited Edition is the Naples Yellow paint finish, which is a deeper shade than the flare yellow colour that is offered across the LC range.
The limited edition, according to Auto Express, is equipped with the LC’s Sport+ pack, which means it rides on 21-inch alloy wheels and features a carbon fibre roof.
It adds that further add-ons as part of the Sport+ pack include Lexus Dynamic Handling, four wheel steering, a Torsen limited-slip differential and an active rear spoiler which rises from the boot lid above 50mph.
“It is not just the outside that gets a squint-inducing finish though. The door trims are finished in matching yellow, while there’s contrasting yellow stitching for the steering wheel, instrument panel, central armrest, and the white leather seats too. The headlining, meanwhile, is trimmed in Alcantara. A head up display and a Mark Levinson audio system with 13 speakers, both optional on other LCs, are included,” the Auto Express says in its review of the car.
It explains that the limited edition will be offered with both of the LC’s engines: a 2.9-litre V6 hybrid with 354bhp and a naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 with 470bhp.
“It is not the first special variant of the LC that Lexus has offered; the Structual Blue Edition featured a similar specification but was finished in a unique blue paint finish with a blue, orange and white interior,” it adds.
The automaker was quoted as saying even though the production run would be small, there would still be an element of choice for buyers as the Limited Edition LC coupé would be available as a regular 500 or as a 500h hybrid.
A review by Yahoo News, notes that the LC is designed as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL, and this limited run model is based on the Sport+ specification, adding that though the price is yet to be announced it is bound to come at a hefty premium above what the Sport+ model costs.
“But it certainly won’t cost anywhere near as much as the previous Spectra Blue Limited Edition LC. The paint for that model took inspiration from the morpho butterfly, native to North and South America. It is renowned for the shimmering blue of its wings even though they are colourless – the blue is created by light hitting the microscopic lattice surface of the delicate wings. At first, it seemed recreating that effect would require using a pigment with 40 separate layers, but eventually it was managed with just a seven-layer structure. That’s still an incredibly expensive process, which added a five-figure sum to the starting price of that car,” it adds .
Copyright PUNCH.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]
