Last month, Lexus introduced the very promising LC500 at the Detroit Auto show. The car was powered by a 467 V8 engine and was production-ready. Many expected that this was not the only variant of the car to be launched and one month later.
Lexus is introducing the hybrid LC500h coupe
Lexus has been successful in the hybrid market and it comes as no surprise that they are adding the LC500h to the list. The petrol-electric hybrid engine in the LC500h is a marriage between a 3.5 liter V6 and an electric motor with a lithium-ion battery pack. The V6 engine has a power output of 295bhp and 257 lb-ft of torque. The total combined power output is 354bhp and can propel the car to 60mph from a stop in under 5 seconds. The petrol version could do the zero to 60mph sprint in under 4.5 seconds. The engine is what Lexus calls a multi-stage hybrid system which has better performance and efficiency than the current hybrid engines they have.
The transmissionin the new LC500h is a four-speed automatic rather than the CVT that we normally see in hybrids. The choice of gearbox for this high-tech car seems rather odd to some. Lexus reasons that the power delivery is better in the automatic gearbox rather than a CVT tranny. The automatic transmission now features a Manual (M) mode which is a first in its hybrid models. Lexus hopes that the choice of gearbox will also improve the driving experience for the hybrid.
There is also an effort to save some weight in the car such as aluminum hood and fenders, a carbon fiber door structure with aluminum skin and aluminum suspension components. There is also an option to add a carbon fiber roof. Overall, the LC500h closely resembles the LC500 sans the engine.
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