THE DESIGN CHALLENGE

The design mission for the team creating the Lexus LC Convertible was simple: create the world’s most beautiful open-top car. The statement was straightforward, but the task was considerable challenge, as Lexus was determined that the new model should preserve the essential styling motifs of the LC coupe, the winner of multiple international awards for its striking and advanced design.

CREATING THE COUPE ROOF LINE

The line of the roof was to be key to the designers achieving their goal, as Chief Designer Tadao Mori explained: “Although there are many convertible models out there, few of them are stylish and elegant both when the roof is open and closed. Particularly when the roof is raised, ridge lines in the uneven surface tend to give an unrefined impression. That’s why for the LC Convertible’s design, we put maximum effort into realising the same beautiful roof line as the coupe.”

To produce the desired silhouette, the point where the soft top meets the car’s rear quarters has been moved as far towards the rear of the car as possible to create a fastback look when the roof is raised. Particular attention has been paid to the tensioning of the soft top to ensure a smooth surface, and the frame and other elements are perfectly concealed, so the roof has a clean and elegant tapered form.

When viewed from the rear, the line of the soft top emphasises the compact proportions of the cabin, contrasting with the wide-flaring under-body and projecting a dynamic look.

THE PERFECT TONNEAU COVER

The designers were able to take advantage of the LC’s platform specifications and the soft top’s folding mechanism to set the tonneau cover as low as possible. They also avoided the familiar flat, platform look seen on many other convertibles by adding fairing-shaped accents that echo the curves of the rear headrests.

SLEEK AND DYNAMIC SILHOUETTE

It is another common feature of convertibles that the design can seem stretched out from the tonneau cover to the boot lid, particularly when the roof is down. This has been avoided on the LC by profiling the rear end so that it rises in a duck tail, producing a distinctive silhouette that is sleek and dynamic. The beltline also kicks up behind the doors to give the look of the body wrapping around the cabin, creating an overall tight and clean profile.

ENGINEERING INGENUITY

One of the principal challenges was to minimise bulkiness in the bodywork in the shoulder area immediately behind the rear seats. The design team was able to accommodate the folding roof in an extremely compact space by creating an extra fold in the soft top so that it can be stowed in the space between the left and right-hand rear suspension towers. This has also allowed for a sharp and fine character line to be created, running from the front to the rear of the car.

To produce this line and achieve a high-quality finish, Lexus has adopted an incremental forming process, in addition to the conventional press used to mould the aluminium tonneau cover.

PERFECT CONTINUITY BETWEEN EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR

In a convertible the cabin is more open to view and more closely connected to the car’s exterior design. Lexus has sought to bring a perfect sense of continuity to the exterior and interior of the LC Convertible by using innovative colour co-ordination, enhancing the model’s special character and brave design.

Three soft top colours are available: Sand, Black and Marine, the latter two suitable for use with any of the bodywork paint options. With these choices and further options for interior colours, owners have the freedom to specify a car that captures their personal style.

SPECIAL EDITION COLOUR SCHEME

The LC Convertible will be launched with a Special Edition model with a colour scheme that matches Structural Blue bodywork with a white and blue interior and Marine soft top – a combination inspired by the colours found at a luxury marina. White is used extensively in the cabin, including Lexus’ first all-white steering wheel and the carpeting. This contrasts with the door trim which is finished with blue synthetic leather. Rather than a printed pattern, this material has a grain that gives a three-dimensional effect with texture and shading.

CO-ORDINATING A-PILLARS

Co-ordinating the interior A-pillar trim with the colour of the roof lining is a rare quality design feature but one that Lexus applies throughout the LC range. The effect is all the more stylish in the LC Convertible, as the pillars are in clear view whenever the roof is lowered. The colour co-ordination catches the eyes and accentuates the luxurious quality of the interior

UPHOLSTERY DETAILING

Special attention has also been paid to the detailing on the seat upholstery, with a unique quilting pattern applied to the shoulder section of the front seats, adding both elegance and tactile quality. Perforations with three different hole diameters are organised in graduated pattern in which they appear to progressively fade away.

The LC line-up is representative of Lexus’ evolution towards becoming a luxury lifestyle brand, providing driving pleasure and excitement to enrich customers’ lifestyles. The new LC 500 Convertible joins the coupe as aspirational halo models for the entire Lexus line-up, providing unique driving experiences that stimulate the senses, and express ultimate beauty.

The exterior of the new LC artfully blends the coupe’s unique roofline with the character of a convertible, achieving beauty with the top open or closed. The interior design considers how details such as the tonneau cover and seating materials become part of the design impression when viewed from the outside.

The new model follows the coupe’s ‘Exhilarating Performance’ driving signature, providing a sense of unity with nature and an exhilarating driving experience that can only be enjoyed with a convertible.

The interior body structure has optimal placement and shape of braces to yield high dynamic performance faithful to the driver’s intentions. And thanks to the car’s robust and sensual sounding V8, the LC 500 Convertible accelerates in a pleasantly linear manner. To further enhance the driving experience, the LC 500 Convertible comes equipped with neck heaters and a transparent wind deflector – supporting the leading comfort and quiet that is Lexus’ DNA.

The new LC 500 Convertible is scheduled to go on sale in summer 2020.

MAIN FEATURES OF THE LC 500 CONVERTIBLE

A stunning design with the top up or down, featuring Lexus’ signature attention to detail

• With the exterior styling based on that of the LC coupe, the convertible retains excellent aerodynamic performance and optimal weight distribution, incorporating functional beauty into the design. The soft-top roof provides a unique silhouette and sporty disposition befitting a convertible. The line of the rear trunk lid has been lifted and widened to create a dynamic side view and emphasize the low-and-wide stance.
• To ensure that the convertible version of the LC 500 retains a beautiful silhouette when the top is lowered, the automatic folding mechanism stores the top under an integrated tonneau cover. Because the designers incorporated a beltline that kicks up at the end of the doors, the vehicle’s profile is characterized by a body that wraps around the cabin, providing an overall tight and clean appearance.
• The 4-layer soft top has been designed to retain the flowing roofline of the coupe, without the supporting frame visible through the fabric. Furthermore, the fabric of the roof has been carefully selected and manufactured to ensure optimal tension and no wrinkling, with improved sound insulation.
• The colour palettes of the exterior and the soft top, as well as the elegant hues of the interior, were carefully selected and combined to cater to the LC customer’s high sense of style, taste and diverse lifestyles.
• The interior features details such as gradating quilting and perforation pattern on the upper portion of the seats, as well as the “L” logo embossed on the back of headrests.
• When opening and closing the soft top, the movement is carefully controlled especially at the beginning and end to yield a sense of quality and safety for the driver. The movement of the top and the tonneau cover have been precisely synched to achieve an elegant and natural movement, while ensuring class-leading opening and closing speeds.
• The roof can be opened or closed while the vehicle is traveling at up to 50 km/h, and an animation display within the instrument gauges allows the driver to easily monitor the top’s operation progress.

Fusion of the Lexus driving signature ‘Exhilarating Performance’ with a convertible driving experience

• The body structure of the LC 500 Convertible was newly designed to achieve a rigidity level supporting Lexus driving signature equal to the Coupe, while simultaneously offering both beautiful styling and sufficient luggage space.
• Thanks to the strategic placement and shape of the rear suspension tower brace, the car’s structural rigidity has been significantly enhanced. The brace is composed of lightweight die cast aluminium to minimize added weight, and a performance damper is adopted for high-quality ride comfort. Other braces are located under the body, and materials such as magnesium and aluminium are used to achieve both high rigidity and light weight. The result is dynamic performance faithful to the driver's intentions.
• The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, mated to the DirectShift-10 automatic transmission, gives the LC linear-yet-invigorating acceleration. Power output is tuned according to the driving scene, with smooth acceleration character during normal commuting, and acceleration at the limit when the driver desires.
• In order to make the LC 500 Convertible’s V8 more enjoyable when the top is down, a sound generator transmits sensual engine intake sounds through the dash panel, while an exhaust valve enhances the powerful engine sound.

Thoughtful in-cabin experience reflecting Lexus’ “Human Centered” philosophy

• In order to create a space to feel with excitement of open-air driving without hindering conversation in the car, we focused on aerodynamics such as the beltline and rear moulding. In combination with the transparent polycarbonate wind deflector, wind flow inside the car is suppressed and excellent quietness is achieved.
• Sound management is a key part of Lexus’ DNA, and the interior space of the LC 500 Convertible stimulates the senses with emotional engine sounds. Active Noise Control (ANC), combined with sound insulation and absorption techniques, suppresses unwanted noises and unpleasant sound frequencies.
• The audio system faithfully reproduces the original sounds of each instrument, vocals, and recording environment. Additionally, the acoustic design automatically changes with the top up or down, providing an acoustic space that can be enjoyed in every situation.
• The Lexus Climate Concierge is used to automatically control air conditioning, seat heaters, neck heaters, and steering wheel heater, all while considering whether the top is up or down - making the convertible version of the LC 500’s cabin comfortable for its passengers regardless of the temperature outside.

LC500 Convertible dimensions and specifications

• Overall length: 4,760 mm
• Overall width: 1,920 mm
• Overall height: 1,350 mm
• Wheelbase: 2,870 mm
• Roof operation: Open: 15 sec / close: 16 sec

# # #