Lexus LC: The End of an Era Due to Air Pollution Regulations

2024-04-15 12:57:58

in short:

• Lexus is enough to market the LC
• The reason: stricter air pollution regulations
• An electric switch? Only in the future

finish line: Lexus soon stop marketing theLC, the sporty flagship of the Japanese brand. The reason for this is strict air pollution regulations in Europe which it cannot meet. Therefore, marketing will be stopped here as well. In North America it will continue to sell, but the importer is not expected to take advantage of this, similar to the move it made with theIS and theLX.

Pure gasoline: ה-LC First introduced in 2016initially in a coupe version and three years later also approxcabriole with a convertible roof. With a spectacular design revealed in the display concept From 2012, the result of a collaboration between the producer’s studio in California and the one in Japan.

The LC was one of the last sports cars with a huge 5.0-liter naturally aspirated (non-supercharged) V8 engine, with 464 hp, rear-wheel drive and a ten-speed automatic transmission. In the coupe, Lexus also incorporated mechanical systems to aid fine dynamic ability, such as a limited-slip rear differential (Torsan ), active rear steering and even a roof made of carbon to reduce weight and lower the center of gravity.

The coupe version was also marketed with a hybrid drive system, combining a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine (299 hp) with an electric motor (179 hp) and a total of 359 hp, but this was not very successful.

What we think: The Lexus showroom suffers from a functional but unexciting model offering, and the LC was a breath of fresh air from a true desire machine. With a spectacular design that looks current even today, an impressive gasoline engine (with a fantastic soundtrack) and a dynamic ability and driving pleasure that did not fall short of European competition.

It will take some more time for Lexus to place in its showroom Electric heiress, which I doubt you will be able to match in the emotion index. We already miss the unforgettable roar of the V8.

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