Lexus Debuts 2021 LC 500 Convertible in LA

Appearing as a hardtop concept at the Detroit Auto Show last January, Lexus is now launching the mass production model of the 2021 LC 500 Convertible.

Debuting at this year’s LA Auto Show, the drop-top version of the luxury brand’s flagship grand tourer sports a 471-hp naturally aspirated V8 engine and Amazon Alexa/Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility, among many other goodies.

The LC 500 Convertible’s most prominent feature is its four-layer soft top that takes 15 seconds to open and 16 seconds to close. The cloth used for roofing material ensures minimal wrinkling and enhanced sound insulation. If these features fail to impress, consider this—the top is safe to operate at speeds of up to 50 kph. The top is available in black and beige, and an animated display on the instrument panel shows you the folding roof’s current position so you won’t have to look back to check if it’s fully out or not.

Lexus also reworked the LC 500 chassis by with the addition and relocation of various structural braces, including the utilization of lightweight die-cast aluminum suspension brace and performance dampeners. This was made possible by the use of computer-aided engineering (CAE) and study of real-world driving conditions. The changes are said to improve the car’s chassis rigidity, infusing the car with performance-oriented handling. To counter the imbalance brought by the restructuring, the engineers reduced the weight at the rear as well as the unsprung weight at the front suspension.

The LC 500 Convertible also does an impressive job of ensuring occupant comfort with the top down. Neck heaters are built into the seats for those times when the wind feels chilly. Likewise, a tall beltline, see-through wind deflector, additional wind screen, and Active Noise Control (ANC) help restrict unnecessary wind and noise from finding their way into the cabin.

The car on display at the 2019 LA Auto Show belongs to the special edition LC 500 Convertible Inspiration Series. Limited to just 100 units, the series will feature Structural Blue with white semi-aniline leather interior trim, custom blue top, gray headlamp garnishes, side intake garnishes, and taillight garnishes. Chrome/black 21-inch wheels come standard.

The front engine-rear wheel drive setup is powered by a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated direct injection V8 that yields 471 hp and 540 Nm of torque. This engine is mated to a Direct Shift 10-speed automatic transmission, allowing the LC Convertible to deliver the same exhilarating performance as its coupe version.

Three interior color options are on offer: Black, Circuit Red and Toasted Caramel. As for exterior paint choices, there are nine: Ultra White, Smoky Granite Mica, Liquid Platinum, Atomic Silver, Obsidian, Caviar, Infrared, Cadmium Orange, Flare Yellow, and Nightfall Mica.

The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible goes on sale at the third quarter of next year, beginning with the biggest global markets including the USA.