Meet The 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible
If, like me, you’ve always thought of Lexus’ cars as extremely well engineered, extremely refined, extremely durable and extremely emotionless, the new 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible will blow both your hair and your mind. Of course, if you’ve been paying attention you know the LC500 Convertible isn’t the first Lexus to display, and elicit, genuine emotion from both drivers and onlookers. Over the last several years this luxury brand has upped the passion quotient across its model line, with the LC500 coupe being the zenith of Lexus’ foray into zeal — until now.
Now, with the launch of the 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible, Japan’s most successful luxury brand has a new ambassador for Lexus’ “experience amazing” tagline. I still miss the “Passionate Pursuit of Perfection” tagline from a decade ago, but between its concept-car-come-to-life design language and engaging driving dynamics, the LC500 Convertible easily covers both sentiments.
Why is the 2021 Lexus LC500’s design so unique?
As with the coupe, the 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible incorporates a small frontal area with narrow headlights before flowing into its long hood/short deck proportions. The spindle front grille’s shape is echoed on the convertible’s rear panel, in-between narrow taillights that cast a powerful, almost surreal, red glow. The LC500 Convertible shares the coupe’s aggressive rear flanks that make the car appear wider in back (it’s merely an illusion; the front-wheel and rear-wheel tracks are identical).
The convertible’s key difference, of course, is a soft top that automatically folds and retracts under a tonneau cover in 15 seconds (at speeds up to 31 mph). A single switch, located under a panel on the center console, lowers or raises the top, but a second switch is required to lower or raise the windows. Most modern convertibles incorporate the windows’ going up or down with the top’s movement, though Lexus chose to keep this action separate.
Some people say a convertible’s true design excellence can only be measured when the top is up. The suggestion being that it’s easy for a car to look better without a roof, while making a convertible that still looks good in its mundane state is the real challenge. The LC500’s small roof, in coupe or convertible form, minimizes the top-up or town-down effect on the convertible version. In this author’s opinion, the LC500 Convertible does indeed look good in either state.
How much does the 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible Cost?
The 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible costs $102,025 include delivery charge. The price goes up from there if you add one of the available option packages or standalone options. The most expensive version of the LC500 Convertible is the Inspiration Series, of which only 100 will be made. All 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible Inspiration Series models are painted Structural Blue with Amalfi While semi-aniline leather-trimmed interiors under a Marine-colored soft top. They also include standard 21-inch wheels, a limited slip differential and upgraded rear suspension tuning.
The Inspiration Series cabin features carbon-fiber door sill scuff plates, a serialized number plate on the door jamb, front headrests with embossed Lexus logo, the Climate Concierge system, a Mark Levinson 13-speaker audio system with 918 watts, plus a two-piece custom luggage set. These models also include a heated steering wheel, windshield wiper de-icer and SmartAccess Card that replaces the traditional key fob.
In between the base model and the Inspiration Series are standalone options like dark graphite 20-inch wheels ($1,210), 21-inch forged wheels ($2,650), head up display ($900), a limited slip differential with upgraded suspension damper ($460), Mark Levinson audio ($1,220), premium paint ($595) and carbon fiber scuff plates ($600).
When can I buy the 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible?
The 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible goes on sale this summer and can be configured now through Lexus’ configurator.
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