RE: Lexus LC500: Driven
Discussion
DJM7691 said:
Am I the only one that thinks this, along with every other Lexus in the range bar the hybrid hatch looks appalling? The styling does not work for me one bit, the stupid extra lamp sections, horrible grille and angular lines.
.
So let me get this straight, you think the CT200 is the looker in the range? Yeah it's just you .
DJM7691 said:
probably Volvo and Mazda are the two OEM's that do it best with their current range
These two are indeed something to behold in terms of design. The newest from Volvo, in particular, are breathtaking. I never thought that we'd see again the sort of look that was typical of a 1970s XJ saloon -- that look where the fuselage forms a low deck and the green house is held aloft by lithe pillars. I'm not saying that a new Volvo and a 1970s Jaguar saloon are to be mistaken for one another. I did, however, immediately think of the the latter when I first saw the former in the flesh.
I will depart from your opinion on the Lexus, though. It's sumptuous in its lines and shapes, and I find the design both unique and appealing. I do understand that some might feel the complete opposite. There is indeed a bit of Marmite in how Lexus goes about its design language nowadays.
This is all very intentional, of course. Let's remember what the Lexus CEO said last year...
"...the words 'Lexus' and 'boring' will never appear in the same sentence again.'"
I've seen 2 (although both the same colour in a similarish area so probably the same one). In a sort of burgundy colour is was honestly stunning. I saw it first from the front driving through Swansea, then the second time came up behind it on the M4 between Swansea and Port Talbot and didn't have a clue what it was until I got to it. As I overtook it I slowed to look at it. Got home that night and bought a lottery ticket, but alas I didn't win! I think of the current range, the only one I wouldnt have is the CT200. The rest though I think are all lovely looking cars.
Love these, I am also a big fan of my IS300h
However, this is the Lexus I really want..
http://blog.lexus.co.uk/lexus-hoverboard-amazing-i...
However, this is the Lexus I really want..
http://blog.lexus.co.uk/lexus-hoverboard-amazing-i...
Out of the current crop of GT/2+2 cars out there I think this has to be the most visually striking of the lot and certainly looks far more special than all of it's German rivals.
It's a shame it's a two tonne car as that does seem to blunt the performance.
Hopefully there will be an F version which is both lighter and more powerful!
It's a shame it's a two tonne car as that does seem to blunt the performance.
Hopefully there will be an F version which is both lighter and more powerful!
Am I alone in thinking the interior design is a bit gash?
The exterior is beautiful, it's a fantastic looking car......but that dash
Looks like a half-arsed attempt at an E-Class copy with the centre console from at least two German repmobiles squashed into the smallest package possible. And those 'antlers' on the instrument binnacle......oh Lordy.....
I'm sure it's screwed together very well and would be a nice place comfort-wise, it just feels incoherent with the external styling. To me, anyway......
The exterior is beautiful, it's a fantastic looking car......but that dash
Looks like a half-arsed attempt at an E-Class copy with the centre console from at least two German repmobiles squashed into the smallest package possible. And those 'antlers' on the instrument binnacle......oh Lordy.....I'm sure it's screwed together very well and would be a nice place comfort-wise, it just feels incoherent with the external styling. To me, anyway......
This is the review I gave one a couple of months ago:
The car I drove had all the options fitted and came in at just under £90K, compared to the similar specked Jaguar F Type R where you would have to pay £97K.
The styling is going to be a bit marmite, personally I thought it looked great and judging by the reactions on the street most people seemed to really like it, plus it had that great way of clearing the road in front of you.
Build quality both in and out where frankly from one or two classes above. Especially the interior where I could not fault it at all. The seats were particularly good being both very comfortable but also cosseting enough to hold you in place during hard cornering. The only thing I would have wanted was a steering wheel that extended an inch or so more but that’s it.
The ride in this thing was brilliant, even in Sport + mode. The damping was on point managing to filter out the crappy road surface but still feeding back to the driver the information you needed. The same could be said for the steering, it was very direct and accurate with a lot of feel; the rear wheel steering took a little getting used to at low speeds as the car turns in quicker than you would expect.
At high speed you felt supreme confidence in what the car was doing, but you have to be very careful as you may find like I did that you are going a hell of a lot quicker than you thought you were
The engine in this thing is an absolute peach with real character. It sounds superb and is flipping loud on start up; it sounds like a NASCAR engine and just loves to be revved so you find yourself shifting up and down the 10 speed gear box for no other reason than to play tunes with the engine. The pops and bangs on the downshift are wonderfully anti social as well, not what I was expecting.
The gearbox is very quick and in Sport + gives a nice kick in the back. 10 speeds are excessive as in normal driving you are unlikely to get higher that 6th or 7th. On the plus side on a motorway you can cruise with the car running at about 1500rpm
Negatives, the boot is not very big and the rear seats are all but useless if those in front are tall, plus it’s not the fastest with a 4.4 second to 60MPH in V8 form, but its fast enough to entertain in a real world environment
So in conclusion, if you are looking for an alternative to a low spec 911 or a Jag F Type R then I would highly recommend you test drive one of these. It’s cheaper, very highly specced, built to a very high standard with an inspired interior and what I think are the best seats in the class. It has a great engine, gearbox and chassis that all work really well together and will hopefully have that legendary Lexus reliability. And at the end of the day it’s a great car and different
The car I drove had all the options fitted and came in at just under £90K, compared to the similar specked Jaguar F Type R where you would have to pay £97K.
The styling is going to be a bit marmite, personally I thought it looked great and judging by the reactions on the street most people seemed to really like it, plus it had that great way of clearing the road in front of you.
Build quality both in and out where frankly from one or two classes above. Especially the interior where I could not fault it at all. The seats were particularly good being both very comfortable but also cosseting enough to hold you in place during hard cornering. The only thing I would have wanted was a steering wheel that extended an inch or so more but that’s it.
The ride in this thing was brilliant, even in Sport + mode. The damping was on point managing to filter out the crappy road surface but still feeding back to the driver the information you needed. The same could be said for the steering, it was very direct and accurate with a lot of feel; the rear wheel steering took a little getting used to at low speeds as the car turns in quicker than you would expect.
At high speed you felt supreme confidence in what the car was doing, but you have to be very careful as you may find like I did that you are going a hell of a lot quicker than you thought you were
The engine in this thing is an absolute peach with real character. It sounds superb and is flipping loud on start up; it sounds like a NASCAR engine and just loves to be revved so you find yourself shifting up and down the 10 speed gear box for no other reason than to play tunes with the engine. The pops and bangs on the downshift are wonderfully anti social as well, not what I was expecting.
The gearbox is very quick and in Sport + gives a nice kick in the back. 10 speeds are excessive as in normal driving you are unlikely to get higher that 6th or 7th. On the plus side on a motorway you can cruise with the car running at about 1500rpm
Negatives, the boot is not very big and the rear seats are all but useless if those in front are tall, plus it’s not the fastest with a 4.4 second to 60MPH in V8 form, but its fast enough to entertain in a real world environment
So in conclusion, if you are looking for an alternative to a low spec 911 or a Jag F Type R then I would highly recommend you test drive one of these. It’s cheaper, very highly specced, built to a very high standard with an inspired interior and what I think are the best seats in the class. It has a great engine, gearbox and chassis that all work really well together and will hopefully have that legendary Lexus reliability. And at the end of the day it’s a great car and different
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