That is a tricky one because, by the looks of it, it was heavily inspired by the LF-LC Concept Car from several years ago, making it one of the clearest examples of what happens when a concept car goes into production while retaining most of the striking aspects of the concept car it was based upon. And because it was utilized on a brand new platform, the new model delivers a near-perfect weight distribution that handles like it promised. Of course, while it was powered by the same 5.0L V8 engine from the F lineup but mated with the first-ever 10-speed AT, I wonder what is like driving Lexus' new halo car that promises LFA-inspired thrills like no other?
From what I can tell behind the wheel, this V8-powered Sport GT from Japan is very promising at first and as I kept on driving, the LC500 is still as promising as it was setting off for the first time. I think the Lexus folks used the second-generation Toyota Soarer, which is the first Lexus SC in the world market, as the inspiration for the LC's dynamics and because of the new platform, the new double-joint multilink front suspension, and the Lexus Dynamic Handling, the LC behaves like the Soarer from the last century while promising a well-civilized drive not bad for a grand tourer.
In my mind, the Lexus LC is a Japanese take on the Mercedes-AMG GT because while they're not as superior as their powerful predecessors, they still deliver a show of force purists can't get enough of. Well, the LC is an ideal purists' car because with no turbos or hybrids holding it back, the sonorous tone of its 5.0L V8 engine tweaked specifically for this car is music to their ears and for those who drive it, it didn't matter if today's turbocharged sportscars can beat it in a little game of Top Trumps because, for this car, it's all about being an enjoyable grand tourer made for the most discerning of drivers who want to drive a car that can tour around from one place to another. As I drove the Lexus LC on GT SPORT, it's hard to fathom how good is the ride because the more I keep driving with this car, the more I'm starting to enjoy it and I understand that.
The Lexus LC500 may be Japanese made but it behaves like a European sports car and sounds like an American muscle car it's all about the best of both worlds for Lexus's newest grand tourer that doesn't care about its results at the end of the day and for those who had numerous reasons to hate very fast European exotics, supercharged American muscles, or turbocharged sports cars should look further to this because to you, the Lexus LC is the best car and you would have it than any fast car with an extravagant price tag. Hmph. Only because you are a Gran Turismo fan and since the Lexus LC is now a certified Gran Turismo-exclusive, let's see how much you'll love your new favorite by pitting against its new rivals during their Super GT heydays.
I've been joined by Japan's best supercars, the Nissan GT-R and the Honda NSX, to teach the Lexus LC a painful lesson of what's it doing in GT SPORT for no reason at all. Of course, with these two cars being on every block now and then, they will use their experiences to teach this newbie LC a painful lesson and I went to Suzuka Circuit, one of the Super GT venues, to settle this issue once and for all. Of course, even without GT500 specs, these three latest Japanese sportscars are going to have a blast just like what happened during this season.
The GT-R may be the cheapest of the three but it is the most experienced because having been around for ten years, it continues to improve for the better until the inevitable metamorphosis occurred to our dear Godzilla. Of course, it still grips even with the traction control off, but in the pursuit of precision, the GT-R is known to set blistering fast laps just to demonstrate how much the GT-R has grown since its rebirth ten years ago.
Honda's new NSX may be the most expensive Japanese car sold because of the fact it was imported from America but despite being built in the state of Ohio, it's Japanese at heart and while it's basically a hybrid supercar with a turbocharged V6 in the middle, it still retains the spirit of the original NSX in every way. I know that it has SH-AWD but because it behaves like an Audi R8, it can be downright tricky to get it right because of such nature unheard for hybrid cars. It's amazing that Honda managed to move on from the lackluster CR-Z to the new NSX and I'm amazed by the fact they made hybrid cars engaging enough to break the stereotype.
I already told you about what's like to drive the Lexus LC and now that I have my opinion about these three Japanese sportscars, let's find out what happens when I send these three for a quick lap around Suzuka to see which one is best...
After a hot, well-cool one, and a lap around Suzuka, it's time to see which one is the quickest...
GT-R - 2:28.242
NSX - 2:32.550
LC500 - 2:36.308
Huh, looks like the legend is still going strong when it faces the young upstarts like the NSX hybrid sportscar and the LC grand tourer but still, looks like both the GT-R and the NSX are giving what the Lexus LC deserves because of being a GT-exclusive car.
I know, I may have ruined my experience with the Lexus LC at the end because I called the Lexus LC a Gran Turismo exclusive, and car enthusiasts should know better but despite what went horribly wrong here, the LC is still one of the most enjoyable sports cars you can drive on GT SPORT. It may not be as fast as the GT-R or the NSX but for the thrill of it, the LC500 brings the power to the drivers and despite its technology-induced chaos enveloping this grand tourer, it really is a decent halo car that can pass the candle from the likes of the Soarer and the Lexus LFA.
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