2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible opens possibilities for flagship performance

After its global debut at the 2019 Los Angeles International Auto Show was met with rave reviews, the 2021 Lexus LC500 Convertible is ready for showtime on Lexus dealer lots across the U.S.A.

Expanding upon the flagship performance of its coupe counterpart, the LC500 Convertible broadens the LC family with a stunning, eye-catching design and its own luxurious handling characteristics designed to take top-down driving to the next level.

The LC Convertible's soft top design features an innovative folding mechanism that includes a tonneau cover for when it is stored. The roof can be opened or closed at speeds up to 50km/h. An animated display on the instrumentation panel shows the top's progress, and it also provide warning messages to confirm the status of the soft top roof.

One of the most impressive aspects is the time it takes, which is approximately 15 seconds to open and approximately 16 seconds to close, depending upon environmental factors.

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LC Convertible shares the same direct-injected V8 powerplant as the LC Coupe. The naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine is rated to at 465bhp and 540Nm of torque, and is paired with a Direct-Shift 10-speed automatic transmission. The Convertible posts an impressive zero to 100km/h time of 4.6 seconds and a maximum track speed electronically limited to 270km/h.

Although great effort is put into keeping certain sounds out of the new LC500 Convertible, the powerful roar of the naturally aspirated V8 engine is not one of them. Engine intake pulses are naturally carried through a diaphragm into a sound pipe that carries the sounds of the V8, not the air itself, into the cabin to enhance its rumble similar to the system employed in the Lexus LFA.

To further enhance the aggressive tone of the engine's exhaust and augment performance, a computer-controlled valve balances the fine line between optimising exhaust back-pressure and exhaust tone and volume at higher engine speeds.

The LC500 Convertible may be based in part on the LC500 coupe, but it is no mere crop-topped replica. Enhancing structural rigidity was high on the list of objectives. Engineers went to work crafting an all new torsion box at the rear, which, when paired with a new suspension tower brace and V-brace, help provide enhanced rigidity, handling stability and linear responsiveness.

Chassis rigidity is further enhanced with the relocation of various structural braces, which includes additional gusseting at the bottom of both the A and B pillars. Laser Screw Welding and the use of high tensile strength steel through the structure also aids in chassis reinforcement. 

Careful attention was given to the LC Convertible's suspension, which is tuned specifically to complement the subtle changes in weight between the coupe and convertible.

The Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system continually adjusts damping control in response to driving operation and road surface conditions, with the ability to adjust to an impressive 650 different levels of damping force.

The AVS system has also been relocated compared to the previous model year coupe, as it no longer resides at the top of the absorber and is now mounted to the lower side of the shock absorber body below the spring.

The LC500 Convertible comes standard with 20-inch cast alloy wheels and 20-inch forged wheels are also available. The option to upgrade to large diameter 21-inch forged wheels is available as well. Run-flat tires are employed at all four corners to eliminate the need for a spare tire, which in turn allows engineers to shorten the rear overhang and save additional weight by foregoing a spare.