Driving Lexus’s high-end flagship LC500 Coupe – a knockout design for Toyota’s luxury brand – above all else the Lexus LC500 is a very individual car. At $190,000 this low 5.0-litre V8 coupe is as Lexus suggest – an avant-garde design with a distinctive athletic profile. A 2+2 sports coupe with knife edge styling front and rear– a GT or grand touring coupe that is as exciting to look at as it is to drive. The styling may divide opinion – Lexus’s latest grille treatment for some is polarizing however on this sleek coupe it looks the part. Step inside the LC500 and you’re met by an exquisite blend of style and materials that’s sheer class – matched by Lexus’s high level of fit and finish and quality and you know immediately that you’re seated in a high end luxury coupe. On the open road it feels a very accomplished GT car, not light at 1950 kilos but that comes with high body rigidity. The 5.0-litre 351 kW V8 links to a 10-speed automatic – there’s six drive modes, and even in Comfort mode the engine emits wonderful aural tones while in Sport and Sport + on downshifts its sounds absolutely race bred. With the LC500 Lexus have produced a 2 + 2 GT car that is highly distinctive on road – and you’ll notice this coupe it’s different and eye catching. Only minus and it’s a big one – an excellent central screen activated by touchpad which requires absolute concentration – so sensitive that just adjusting the air-con fan speed is a major operation and it takes your eyes off the road. I’m David Berthon

2016 Lexus LC 500

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