Fast Facts: Lexus LC500 Convertible launched in Malaysia

Though long retired, Lexus’ slogan of “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection” still rings loud and clear in most car aficionados’ ears. Never an alternative to the Germans, the Lexus brand carries arguably even more prestige and exclusivity in Malaysia. 

Lexus Malaysia has launched the open top version of the LC500 sports car (launched 2017), the Lexus LC500 Convertible.

What’s Outside? The LC500 Convertible is the first soft-top Lexus. A straightforward chop job it’s not, because the rear trunk has been lifted slightly and the integrated rear spoiler has also been widened. The 4-layer fabric roof takes 15 seconds to open, and 1 additional second to close within 50km/h. 

Through some clever packaging, the luggage room for the convertible remains at 172 litres like its coupe brother. If you have to know, the fabric roof is tucked between the suspension towers while the hydraulic motors for the roof are at the empty space behind the rear seats. 

When you are enjoying infinite headroom, there’s a transparent wind deflector that reduces air flow around the occupants’ face by about 20%, which means you can still converse in the car below 60km/h without raising your voice. Other goodies include:

• 6-pot caliper front brakes, 4-pot caliper rear

• 21-inch forged wheels

• Rear performance dampers

• Adaptive Variable Suspension

What’s Inside? If you still wish to chat with your occupants instead of enjoying the V8 growl, there’s a mesh windscreen which you could lift up to reduce airflow around the head by 67% at around 100km/h. 

With cabin refinement as a hallmark of the brand, the Japanese firm has gone to great lengths to keep the noise level low. After carrying out acoustic simulations, it was found that the storage area for the folding roof is a challenge because it was a route for tyre and exhaust noise to permeate the cabin.

Without enough space for soundproofing material, Lexus’ engineers thought out of the box by changing the trim material of the storage area to be those of sound-absorbing type, clever eh? Other interior goodies include:

• Head-up display

• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• 13-speaker 918 watt Mark Levinson sound system

• Carbon fibre scuff plates

• Heated and ventilated seats

• 10.3-inch touchscreen display

• 8-inch colour TFT multi-information display

How Fast? The Lexus LC500 is one of those supercars that steadfastly refrained from electrification and forced induction. Although Lexus has painstakingly kept noise out of the cabin, they have used a diaphragm to channel the V8 rumble into the cabin. This writer wouldn’t use the Mark Levinson sound system much if given a chance to drive this car:

• Engine: 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8

• Transmission: 10-speed automatic

• Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive (RWD)

• Horsepower: 470 hp @ 7,100 rpm

• Torque: 570 Nm @ 4,800 rpm

• 0 to 100 km/h: 4.9 seconds

• Top speed: 270 km/h

How Safe?

As an open top sports car, there are specific safety features to protect the occupants. There are a pair of active roll bars that would deploy when a rollover is detected. When not in use, it’s tucked neatly away to not disturb that sleek silhouette. The Lexus Safety Sense+ package includes:

• Six airbags

• Front Pre-Collision System

• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

• Lane Keeping Assist

• Automatic High Beam

• Blind Spot Monitor

• Rear Cross Traffic Alert

How Much? The Lexus LC500 is priced at RM1.35 million, RM100,000 more than its coupe cousin. As deliveries start next year, the sales tax exemption doesn’t apply. Buyers enjoy a 5-year unlimited warranty.