‘Amazing’ comes to life with the Lexus LC500

We each have a concept of what’s amazing. For most people, that ‘amazing’ idea or experience remains in the realm of concept, never making its way to reality.

Almost 30 years since its first production vehicle was launched, Lexus has gone beyond producing automobiles. From automobiles and technology to specialty products and food, Lexus has become a way of life. Following its new tagline ‘Experience Amazing,’ Lexus seeks to bring a lifestyle marked by amazing experiences. 

Intersect by Lexus (located in Tokyo and Dubai, soon to open in New York) houses a café and bistro that combines craft coffee and Daichi Tajima’s Japanese fusion dishes. Next to the café is The Garage — a space for events, seminars or talks graced by the likes of art directors, designers, models and musicians. The Intersect building also showcases a collection of ‘Crafted for Lexus’ products that range from bags, hand-woven shawls, sunglasses to portable lights. More than selling meticulously made products, Crafted for Lexus aims to be a platform for celebrating a new generation of master craftspeople.

Translating products to amazing experiences is how Lexus redefines luxury.  

“We realized that apart from great products, what makes a brand great is the experience it delivers,” said Jose Ariel Arias, Brand and Product Talk SVP of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP).

Among its vehicle lineup, the LC is the epitome of the luxury lifestyle brand that Lexus represents. The LC’s roots can be traced to a concept car whose features were faithfully reproduced in its production model.

When the LC500 was launched in Manila last Aug. 10, TMP president Satoru Suzuki gave a fitting description in his welcome remarks: “The LC is more than just a dream come to life. Yes, the LC is an archetype of concept-to-reality. But beyond that, the LC is a symbol of change. A change that we hope is palpable as Lexus shifts from just a luxury automotive brand, to a luxury lifestyle brand.”

Suzuki is referring to the change in design, engineering process and brand fabric introduced by the LC to Lexus. Every aspect of the LC is meant to embody the visionary, original, and exciting character that Lexus is becoming. With that, the LC makes the strongest statement about the Lexus brand’s direction.

Reinforcing this statement, Arias explains that the “LC is a tangible symbol of this momentous change in the luxury landscape. In fact, as Lexus’ halo model, the LC represents the four brand values, that we believe set Lexus apart from the rest: Brave Design, Takumi Craftsmanship, Imaginative Technology and Exhilarating Performance.”

From its aesthetics to its interiors and engine, ‘amazing’ is a word that can easily describe the LC500. 

Sensual curves and a wide, low stance give the LC500 an athletic, aerodynamic look.  The grille features a new 3D mesh design complemented by L-shaped daytime running lights and a Triple LED headlamp unit featuring one of the industry’s thinnest projectors. Among the color varieties are White Nova Glass Flake, Radiant Red, Garnet Red Mica, and a new ‘Naples Yellow’ shade. 

Exhilarating performance can be expected from the LC500’s 5.0-liter naturally aspirated 32-valve V8 engine, with 477hp and 389 lb. ft. of torque at 4,800rpm.

The interiors are typical of the meticulous, detail-oriented Takumi craftsmanship. The LC500’s Alcantara leather seats are not only beautiful and elegant, but are also positioned strategically. The driver’s hip point was engineered to be as close as possible to the vehicle’s center of gravity. The size and angles of the steering wheel, positioning of paddle shifters, and layout of the controls are meant to make driving the LC500 easy and intuitive. The front passenger seat features handles, perhaps to give additional grip points when the LC500 is driven at high speeds. From the console to the side doors, the athleticism of the LC500 is consistently complemented by luxurious details. 

A 174 x 48 mm full-color TFT backlit Heads-Up Display (HUD) provides the LC500’s driver with high visibility even in daytime. The infotainment and entertainment system includes a 10.3-inch display equipped with the 2017 Lexus Multimedia package and a Mark Levinson 13-speaker sound system.

Beyond being a vehicle, the LC500 represents the dynamic lifestyle that appeals to a universal audience. Accompanying me to the LC500 launch were my Singaporean friends who were drawn to the Lexus lifestyle: a lawyer/businessman (who happens to own two Lexus cars in the Philippines, in addition to his cars in Singapore) and a businesswoman/mother of two.

The LC500 launch is another proof of how Lexus has become a bona fide lifestyle brand. We didn’t have to be at Intersect by Lexus in Tokyo or Dubai. In that August evening at the Lexus Showroom Manila, a mix of dynamic, successful people and influencers from various industries gathered around the new LC500 to ‘Experience Amazing.’