3 Minutes
From elegant grand tourer to aggressive track-inspired concept
Nearly a decade on from its 2016 unveiling at the North American International Auto Show, the Lexus LC continues to turn heads. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-L architecture — the same underpinnings that support the LS flagship sedan, the Mirai and recent Crown models — the LC remains a standout premium grand tourer with timeless lines. Recently, digital artist @cool.car.design reimagined the LC 500 as a track-focused machine, and the CGI render gives us a glimpse of what a more aggressive, competition-ready LC could look like.
What the digital makeover adds
The rendered LC 500 has been treated to a full suite of visual and aerodynamic upgrades that push it away from refined GT territory and toward track day territory. Highlights include:
- A widebody kit with extended wheel arches front and rear
- Front bumper canards and a pronounced chin spoiler with side blades
- Side skirt attachments and a lowered stance
- A performance-oriented rear diffuser and a large trunk-mounted wing
- New, staggered wheels and a high-contrast yellow-and-black livery with decal accents
Although all of this exists only as a photorealistic concept, the styling cues are believable and illustrate how relatively few changes can alter the LC’s character from luxurious cruiser to aggressive sport coupe.
Powertrain and performance recall
This is the LC 500, so beneath the aggressive skin remains the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 — not a turbo or hybrid. Lexus rates the V8 at 471 hp (351 kW / 477 PS) and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque. Performance figures quoted by Lexus list 0–60 mph in about 4.4 seconds for the coupe, with the convertible losing roughly two-tenths of a second.
Pricing, trims and market position
For 2026 the LC 500 continues as a niche, premium offering. Manufacturer’s suggested retail prices start at $101,700 for the LC 500 coupe and $109,200 for the convertible. Lexus also offers an Inspiration Series limited edition—priced from roughly $121k for the coupe and $120k for the convertible—capped at 200 units (coupe) and 350 units (convertible) in North America. These figures exclude destination charges and dealer fees.
Why this matters
The CGI concept underscores two strengths of the LC platform: its attractive design that adapts well to tuning, and a chassis that can be imagined as both a refined grand tourer and a more focused performance car. For enthusiasts who want a V8 GT with track-day flair, the render nudges the conversation toward aftermarket aero and suspension work rather than radical mechanical changes.
"A few visual and aerodynamic mods can change everything about a car's personality," says one enthusiast comment on Instagram, summing up why such renders resonate.
Whether you prefer the LC as a plush weekend cruiser or a more aggressive boulevard racer, Lexus has created a silhouette that invites both. The digital widebody serves as inspiration: attainable in spirit, even if this exact car may never leave the screen.
Source: autoevolution
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