The Lexus LC has received a special Pinnacle edition in Japan, which could signal the end of its flagship grand tourer after eight years in production.
The name, after all, means the highest, most successful point, or the culmination.
Just 100 examples each of the LC500 Pinnacle and LC500 Convertible Pinnacle will be offered in Japan, and there’s no word yet on any Australian availability.
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The special-edition coupe is tuned to be sportier than the more comfort-focused convertible, and features a hollow rear aluminium suspension member that Lexus says improves grip and rigidity.
Both body styles get one-piece moulded front bumper canards and unique 21-inch forged aluminium wheels.
They also wear a fixed rear wing made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic, while Lexus also says it has fitted a retuned limited-slip differential.
The coupe is finished in matte Oboro Silver, while the convertible has Neutrino Grey paint and a Brown Silver roof.
Inside, the two special-edition variants differ in colour again. The coupe has a black and white interior, while the convertible has a saddle tan and white cabin “inspired by the scene of melting snow as sunlight hits the remaining snow and reveals the earth”.
Both the coupe and convertible get exclusive embroidery on the passenger side of the dash, plus special scuff plates and Limited Edition centre console plaques.
Both the coupe and convertible are priced in Japan at ¥17,800,000 (~A$183,000), whereas the standard LC500 coupe costs ¥14,100,000 (~A$145,000) and the convertible ¥15,550,000 (~A$160,000).
No changes appear to have been made to the naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine powering the Pinnacle specials.
This engine produces 351kW of power and 540Nm of torque, and is mated exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The LC is the grandest of grand tourers in Lexus’ 36-year history.
It was first previewed by the LF-LC concept in 2012, and Lexus developed a new rear-wheel drive platform for it. The coupe entered production in 2017, with a convertible following in 2020, and continues to be offered with a choice of 5.0-litre V8 or 3.5-litre V6 hybrid powertrains (though the convertible is V8-only).
In June, Japanese outlet Creative Trend reported the entire LC line would end production after the last IS500 sports sedan – the only other Lexus road car to share the 5.0-litre V8 engine – rolls off the line in November 2025.
While the current LC could be on its way out, reports out of Japan suggest Lexus isn’t withdrawing from the coupe segment.
A Best Car Web report from June pointed to the LC being replaced along with the RC (which was axed here in 2021 but lives on overseas) by a vehicle derived from the next-generation Toyota Supra.
There’s been much speculation about the future of Lexus’ flagship coupe. In 2021, Lexus appeared to tease a convertible resembling a next-generation LC (below, far left), while also revealing the Electrified Sport Concept (above, centre) that pointed to an electric successor.
Subsequently, reports have pointed to an entirely different flagship for the Lexus lineup: a supercar called the LFR, powered by a twin-turbo V8, based on Toyota’s GT3 GR concept car and serving as a spiritual successor to the iconic LFA.
This vehicle has been spied testing and, while Lexus Australia hasn’t confirmed whether the car will wear the ‘L’ badge, it has said it’s excited to see the product.
To the end of June, Lexus has delivered 33 LCs in Australia this year – more than the LS sedan (6) and almost as many as the RZ electric SUV (34).
While a low-volume proposition, the LC still outsells the rival BMW 8 Series (13) and Mercedes-AMG SL (14).
Lexus has changed strategies with its flagship grand tourer before. Its first was the SC300/SC400 – a rebadged Toyota Soarer never sold here – which was more affordable than the LS and shared components with the Toyota Supra.
Produced from 1991 to 2000, it was replaced by the SC430 which was an even more comfort-focused model that was offered exclusively as a folding hardtop convertible. This exited production in 2010, leaving a gap of seven years before the LC entered production.
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