TESTED 2.2.23, SURREY ON SALE NOW
The death of the V8-engined GT has been prematurely reported in many quarters. Counting up the total of such Aston Martins, Bentleys, BMWs, Ferraris, Jaguars and Mercedes left is actually still a heartening exercise if you dread the day when a car market of so much variety will be a distant memory.
Yet there's something about the Lexus LC 500 that suggests it will be the very last of its kind, having been one of the very last to arrive. There's something about its ability to cling to its place in Lexus's range, despite its various flaws and annual UK sales that probably barely reach three figures, that suggests it will keep on surviving until the end of days.
There has been a light update to the LC's mechanical specification for the latest model year, although not as much as there was for the 2021 revision. In a bid to enhance both its touring and sporting credentials, Lexus has tweaked its coil-spring rates and recalibrated its AVS adaptive dampers once again.
It has a more "deeply hung" front seat design and a new shift lock for its 10-speed automatic gearbox; and there are now Hokkaido and Black Inspiration special editions, based around colour and material themes.
For the sportiest LC (with four-wheel steering and a limited-slip differential), you want the Sport+, whose main draw, despite all that, remains its atmospheric 5.0-litre V8.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MG 4
An EV changes your driving style - but not to the detriment of pleasure
PEUGEOT E-208
Time with our French hatch is up. Is it good riddance or au revoir?
In the hot seat
Is the best automotive job in the world actually in miniature scale? Hot Wheels' design boss assures STEPHEN DOBIE it is
Correcting the record
Autocar invented the road test back in 1928 - or did we? KEITH JONES trawls the past to find the true starting point
Road test rebooted
As the Autocar road test forges into its second century, its brief is expanding and it's returning to a familiar place. MATT SAUNDERS explains
Cyber attack
MG is back on the international stage and now trying to return to its sports car roots. MATT SAUNDERS sees if the Cyberster EV can match up to a rival from the present and a relation from the past
KIA PICANTO
As rivals fall by the wayside, Kia's popular city car gets a makeover
MASERATI GRANTURISMO
Latest coupé in a long line of Maserati GT cars hits the UK with V6 power
PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS COUPE
New V8 model gets all the goodies
TOYOTA PRIUS
Back by popular demand with a cool new look and greater driver appeal