{"id":118763,"date":"2016-01-11T15:22:43","date_gmt":"2016-01-11T19:22:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montrealracing.com\/wp\/?p=118763"},"modified":"2016-01-11T19:13:31","modified_gmt":"2016-01-11T23:13:31","slug":"lexus-stuns-detroit-autoshow-with-the-2017-lc-500","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montrealracing.com\/wp\/wp\/2016\/01\/lexus-stuns-detroit-autoshow-with-the-2017-lc-500\/","title":{"rendered":"Lexus Stuns At Detroit Autoshow With The 2017 LC 500"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lexus has just unveiled their flagship luxury coupe called the LC 500 at the Detroit Autoshow.<\/p>\n

The car features an all-new architecture that will become the basis for future front-engine, rear-wheel drive offerings. This architecture has the brand\u2019s stiffest unibody structure ever and is even stronger than the LFA supercar.<\/p>\n

We had previously seen the concept version of the LC 500 (called the LF-LC Concept) three years ago and designers have worked hard to maintain its bold look as it was brought into production. It\u2019s refreshing to see because most concepts are watered down for public consumption but Lexus is going all in here.<\/p>\n

Powering the LC 500 is a 5.0-litre V8 with forged connecting rods & titanium valves making 467 horsepower and 389 lb-ft of torque. This will be mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission and Lexus says it can go from 0-100km\/h in just 4.5 seconds.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Read more about Lexus here<\/a><\/p>\n

Read the press release here:<\/p>\n

DETROIT, Jan. 11, 2016\u2014When the Lexus LF-LC Concept debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, the press, loyal customers, and enthusiasts wondered if the concept\u2019s arresting styling and dramatic proportions could ever evolve into a production 2+2 coupe. Today, four years after the debut of the breakthrough concept that inspired it, Lexus has revealed the all-new LC 500 luxury coupe. This provocative, athletic flagship coupe makes the strongest statement yet about Lexus\u2019 future product direction.<\/em><\/p>\n

The past five years have seen Lexus evolve rapidly with the creation of the luxury brand\u2019s globally-focused organization, Lexus International. Exciting new models involving elevated levels of emotional styling and dynamic driving characteristics such as NX, RC, and IS have also helped Lexus\u2019 brand shift with consumers. Akio Toyoda has been at the center of the Lexus global expansion, personally driving a heightened level of collaboration among design, engineering and marketing teams to help build a luxury brand better suited to meet the needs of the next generation of consumers.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe LC 500 has been an important product for Lexus and me personally,\u201d said Akio Toyoda, Chief Branding Officer and Master Driver for Lexus. \u201cA few years ago, we decided to guide the future of the brand with products that had more passion and distinction in the luxury market. This flagship luxury coupe\u2019s proportions, stunning design and performance make a strong statement about our brand\u2019s emotional direction and will grow the Lexus luxury appeal globally.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Design and Engineering Teams United<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Beyond its styling and impactful performance, the new LC 500 serves as a symbol of the achievement that can result from heightened collaboration between design and engineering groups and their commitment to help overcome each other\u2019s hurdles. When Akio Toyoda challenged these development groups to produce this special car, it meant surpassing many manufacturing, design, material, and dynamic obstacles that could typically compromise a vehicle\u2019s targets or design vision.<\/em><\/p>\n

The LC 500 was driven by a strong, appealing fundamental design target (LF-LC), and engineering teams worked tirelessly to find new solutions to maintain as much of the concept in the production car as possible. Likewise, vehicle designers were very involved from the earliest stages of the dynamic development process to understand the engineering targets and collaborate with design viewpoints and potential solutions. With LC 500, additional levels of prototype vehicle build also allowed both teams to better study design or engineering ideas and refine key elements. For Lexus, the LC 500 project became much more than simply the development of a new coupe. The LC 500, with the shift in engineering processes and design ideologies it represents, symbolizes the beginning of a new phase for the Lexus brand.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cDesign and engineering sides worked together on issues and obstacles that were overcome one by one. I feel we achieved something greater than simply preserving the spirit of the concept\u2019s design,\u201d said Chief Engineer Koji Sato.<\/em><\/p>\n

Exterior Design<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

At first glance, it becomes apparent that the engineering and design team\u2019s collaboration was highly successful, considering how much of the LF-LC\u2019s design ideology the team was able to transfer into the new LC 500. The new production model shares many of the key design elements, proportions and visual dynamism of the concept car that inspired it. The LC 500\u2019s visual appeal is defined by an athletic aerodynamic shape. It features sensual curves, emotional forms, an available flowing carbon-fiber roof (glass roof standard), helping create a low, wide imposing stance that comes together for a highly functional, passionate package.<\/em><\/p>\n

The LC 500\u2019s front fascia features a powerful interpretation of Lexus\u2019 distinctive grille, bordered by chrome on three sides and a radical new 3D mesh design that varies its visual tension. The \u201cL\u201d-shaped daytime running lights rest below a new Triple LED headlamp unit, specially designed to include one of the industry\u2019s thinnest projectors enabling a low hood with a short front overhang. Functional venting also plays into the LC 500\u2019s exterior design to help improve aerodynamic stability and cooling.<\/em><\/p>\n

The car\u2019s athletic profile is characterized by its fast, sloped roofline, its wind-cutting silhouette, a long 2,870 mm (113 inches) wheelbase with compact front 920 mm ( 36.2 inches) and rear 970 mm ( 38.2 inches) overhangs and low hood height. The sexy curves and flowing lines maintain a consistent tension in sheetmetal through to the rear end that features slimly designed, multi- layered tail lamps with a unique lighting effect that helps convey a sequential L motif. A rear diffuser and available active rear spoiler also help manage airflow during performance driving. It rides on machined cast aluminum 20-in. or available 21-in. forged aluminum wheels.<\/em><\/p>\n

Interior Design<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The interior design of the LC 500 is influenced by the dynamic luxury theme of the exterior with a layout that is both cockpit-focused and elegant. The coupe\u2019s driving position was calibrated to invite spirited, sporting driving, and help develop easier confidence with a more intuitive control layout. In fact, for LC 500, the driver\u2019s hip point was engineered to be as close as possible to the vehicle\u2019s Cg (Center of gravity) where feedback from the car is the most communicative to the driver.<\/em>
\nThe front seats offer excellent support and comfort for long drives while available sport seats offer additional bolstering and lateral support during cornering. Lexus engineers put considerable effort into creating an engaging yet seductive atmosphere for the driver, focusing on details such as the size and angle of the steering wheel, the feel and positioning of magnesium alloy paddle shifters, and available supple leather and Alcantara seating surfaces. The LC 500\u2019s exquisite door panels, center console and dash pad structures feature elements of Lexus\u2019 world-renowned, detail-obsessed Takumi craftsmanship in their finish.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAt an early stage, the designers collaborated with the engineers to understand their image for the LC 500\u2019s driving dynamics, and they incorporated this into the design,\u201d said Tadao Mori, the chief designer of the LC 500. \u201cFor example, we gave serious consideration to where the driver\u2019s eyes would focus, and designed the surface shape in that area to help support a driver\u2019s mindset. This project was one of the first times that designers were closely involved in the dynamic engineering development so we could understand the driving goals and support with the car\u2019s design.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Chassis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In helping to drive the future of the Lexus brand, the mission for LC 500 is to offer a dynamic driving experience and character unlike any Lexus vehicle prior to it. The pursuit of a sharper, more refined driving experience became the mission for the development team who also sought to maintain a superior Lexus ride quality befitting a flagship luxury sport coupe.<\/em><\/p>\n

The LC 500 is the first Lexus to use the brand\u2019s all-new, premium rear-wheel-drive luxury platform and is part of the new corporate global architecture for luxury vehicles (GA-L). The underpinnings of this new coupe will become the blueprint for the company\u2019s future front-engine\/rear- wheel-drive vehicles. In an effort to sharpen the car\u2019s handling, the LC 500\u2019s engineers focused on the platform\u2019s fundamentals by placing most of the mass, including the engine and the occupants, in a position more centralized and lower in the chassis to improve the center of gravity.<\/em><\/p>\n

Internally, Lexus engineers referred to this menu of mass-arranging tactics as the \u201cinertia spec.\u201d The driver hip and heel points have been lowered, wheels have been pushed to the corners of the car with shortened overhangs, and the drivetrain mass has been located behind the front axle line to create a front mid-ship layout. The LC 500 also relies on run-flat tires to improve packaging, reduce weight (thanks to no spare), and help shorten overhangs to achieve dynamic targets. The 12- volt battery has been relocated to the trunk as part of the mission to redistribute weight.<\/em>
\nOther mass management measures include the available carbon fiber roof, aluminum door skins mounted to the carbon fiber door inner structure, and a composite trunk floor. The LC 500 also represents the Lexus brand\u2019s most intensive use of high-strength steel. This provides enhanced rigidity while reducing\u2014and ideally positioning\u2014vehicle mass to optimize dynamics. As a result, the LC 500 is very balanced with a nearly ideal front\/rear weight distribution of 52\/48.<\/em><\/p>\n

To help achieve the level of chassis performance targeted for this new coupe, Lexus engineered the stiffest unibody the brand has ever produced. For LC 500, the strategic use of lightweight, high-strength steel helps make for a high degree of torsional rigidity that is more resistant to twisting forces than the exotic, carbon fiber-intensive LFA supercar.<\/em>
\nThe platform design maintains a consistent level of resistance to flexural forces and stiffness across the vehicle\u2019s wheelbase to help create consistent, predictable handling behavior and sharper steering responses. Special braces in the engine compartment (usually a more twist-prone part of the chassis), the adoption of stiff aluminum front suspension towers, and the addition of a ring structure near the rear fenders are all measures that help further bolster the strength of key chassis structures.<\/em><\/p>\n

Particular attention was devoted to the LC 500\u2019s multilink suspension system. Double ball joints on the upper and lower control arms allow for control of the smallest movements from the driver inputs and road conditions. Beyond sharing workload, a dual ball joint arrangement helps optimize suspension geometry to increase wheel control and create a more precise steering response with better initial effort. To help reduce unsprung mass and improve suspension response, all but one of the control arms are made of lightweight forged aluminum.<\/em><\/p>\n

Providing the grip on the show prototype car are concept versions of Michelin Pilot Sport tires with Premium Touch\u00ae sidewall technology: 245\/40RF21 up front and 275\/35RF21 at the rear. When all the handling elements come together, LC 500 becomes a world-class luxury sports coupe that exhibits razor-sharp reflexes, exceptional handling balance and rock-solid stability. This all-new platform will continue to undergo continuous improvement and enhancement throughout the vehicle\u2019s lifecycle.<\/em>
\nSaid Sato: \u201cWe spent more than triple the usual amount of R&D time to pursue linear steering and to find the sweet spot for road contact feel. We also focused our efforts on suspension rigidity and enhancing geometry. Thanks to advancements in product engineering, we are now at a world-class level for suspension rigidity, and performance when lateral g\u2019s are applied.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Drivetrain<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

The power delivery to the rear wheels for LC 500 is handled by a new, very well matched set of components that maximize output to the wheels. The heart of the new LC 500 is derived from the proven, high-revving 5.0-liter V8 that is found in the RC F and GS F. The naturally aspirated V8 was selected for its smooth, linear throttle response and emotional engine sound.<\/em>
\nThe all-aluminum, 32- valve V8\u2019s output targets 467 HP and 389 lb.-ft. of torque. The new engine is built for durability with lightweight, high-strength forged connecting rods and titanium valves that allow the engine to flourish at high rpm. This naturally aspirated engine makes an ideal pairing to a balanced sports coupe with its linear power delivery that allows easier control and exhilaration behind the wheel.<\/em><\/p>\n

The engine in the LC 500 uses a dual intake inlet that help improve breathing and allow the engine to produce its fantastic sound. The new coupe features an active exhaust that opens baffles in Sport mode to help give the car a more aggressive exhaust note even in start-up. In fact, even when the vehicle is in Normal mode the exhaust baffles open above 3500 rpm. During acceleration, a Sound Generator involving tuned acoustic plumbing enhances the engine\u2019s raucous melody into an aural thunder that helps distinguish the LC 500 in its competitive segment.<\/em>
\nHelping power transfer to the rear wheels is a newly developed 10-speed automatic transmission\u2014the first ever in a luxury automobile\u2014with shift times rivaling those of a dual-clutch transmission. The component is smaller and lighter than some current 8-speed transmissions. The wide bandwidth of shifting afforded by 10 closely spaced gears is ideal for all forms of driving, providing an optimal gear in all conditions. This transmission is matched to a new electric control system with software that helps anticipate the driver\u2019s inputs by monitoring acceleration, braking and lateral g forces.<\/em><\/p>\n

The new transmission is just one key element in a vehicle that has had all of its dynamic control elements such as power application, braking, and steering tuned to operate rhythmically in sport driving conditions. Drivers will feel the controlled balance between the quick, smooth shifting actions, the application of linear engine power, and the deceleration afforded by 6-piston front brake calipers (4-piston at rear).<\/em><\/p>\n

All of the platform and drivetrain engineering helped endow the LC 500 with performance and agility uncommon for a four-person coupe; the vehicle targets a 0 to 60 mph time of less than 4.5 seconds.<\/em><\/p>\n

Interior Electronics<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

This flagship coupe will debut the 2017 Lexus Multimedia package that will feature updated, faster, more flexible software enabling future enhancements and a more inviting graphic user interface. Occupants also will be treated to an exceptional audio experience inside the cabin: in addition to the available audiophile-worthy Mark Levinson audio package, a new premium Pioneer audio system comes as standard equipment. Pioneer\u2019s sound engineers worked in collaboration with LC 500 body and cabin designers to enhance interior sound performance within the cabin, studying the acoustic environment and driving structural changes to enhance sound performance.<\/em><\/p>\n

The LC 500 also will boast Lexus\u2019 renowned safety technology, Lexus Safety System + , which integrates several of Lexus\u2019s active safety technologies: an All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (All-speed DRCC) that relieves stop-and-go traffic stress, the Pre-Collision System (PCS) helps prevent and mitigate collisions; Lane Keep Assist (LKA) helps prevent vehicles from departing from their lanes; and Automatic High Beam (AHB) that helps ensure optimal forward visibility during nighttime driving.<\/em><\/p>\n

These technologies are part of a multi-faceted approach to active safety, the Lexus Safety System + package, that combines millimeter-wave radar with a camera to help achieve a high level of system reliability and performance.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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