2023 Lexus LC 500 Convertible Photographed exclusively for UnnamedProject.com by David Lewis Taylor
Enjoying a convertible like the LC 500 Convertible beyond just the summer months can be a wonderful experience, especially if you live in a region with mild or no extreme weather conditions. With its fab exterior design, optimized suspension tuning, lightweight soft top, and advanced Climate Concierge with upper body heating, the LC 500 Convertible is well-equipped to handle year-round driving.
Irrespective of the weather, the LC 500 Convertible boasts an HVAC system adept at fine-tuning the temperature regardless of the top’s position—raised or lowered. The Lexus Climate Concierge, complemented by Upper Body Heating, takes charge effortlessly, orchestrating the air conditioning, seat heaters, neck warmers, and steering-wheel heater, all orchestrated to ensure equal comfort in the cabin. The HVAC’s finesse extends to channeling warm or cool air towards the back of the driver’s hands as they clasp the steering wheel—an indispensable touch for those brisk fall drives.
What’s equally captivating are the sleek lines of this convertible, elegantly free from the substantial encroachments upon trunk and cabin space often associated with weightier, bulkier hardtops found elsewhere. This achievement owes itself to an ingenious folding mechanism with a tonneau cover for storage purposes. Moreover, as an added safeguard against rain showers, the roof can be swiftly drawn shut at speeds of up to 31 mph. An animated display on the multi-information screen orchestrates the roof’s progress, supplemented by cautionary messages that affirm the soft top’s status. One of the most striking feats lies in the swiftness of the process: a mere 15 seconds to unfurl, and approximately 16 seconds to secure, depending on weather variables.
Not only does it boast an alluring interior, but there’s also no denying the allure of the engine roar emitted by the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8. Its siren call proved irresistible, prompting us to nudge the throttle even when stationary at every signal.
Under the hood of the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive V8-powered LC 500 Convertible resides an ample 471 horsepower at 7,100 rpm, partnered with a substantial 398 lb.-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This powerhouse is paired with a Direct-Shift 10-speed automatic transmission for seamless power delivery. The LC Convertible showcases its prowess with a remarkable 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.6 seconds, a feat that’s even more commendable due to Lexus’s electronic limitation of the top speed to 168 mph. Kudos indeed!
Photography: David Lewis Taylor
