Who Makes the “Grandest” Grand Touring Machine?
McLaren? Ferrari? Lamborghini?
If you’re “touring” a track, sure…go with one of those guys.
But if you’re touring a few hundred miles of Interstates and backroads, I’ve got another name you might want to consider…Lexus. Specifically, the Lexus LC 500 Coupe.
This machine doesn’t even call itself a “GT”…but it darn sure is one. Here’s why:
Let’s start by being honest, OK?
Just how badly do you need to go 200 MPH?
And how often do you get to do that? And where?
Will “only” 168 MPH get the job done for you?
And will 0-60 in under four and a half seconds be OK…instead of three and a half seconds?
And back to talking about those road trips….do you really enjoy feeling every bump in the road…getting to your destination feeling like you’ve been kidney-punched for hours…or do you like rapidly rolling down the road in regal comfort?
I think you get my point.
All I’m suggesting that you might be a whole lot more comfortable in something like Lexus’ LC 500 Coupe instead of a $250,000 - $350,000 super car. And you’ll save a good couple hundred thousand, too.
And since looks sell cars, let’s start right there. I don’t recall stopping for gas or groceries one time without getting at least one thumbs-up or “Wow…that’s really nice”…and I’m pretty sure they were talking about the car…not me.
Yes…this two-door coupe has the requisite swoopy styling and several over-the-top touches to justify it’s right at six-figure window sticker.
Inside you’ll find all the heated and ventilated leather that you’d expect…along with superlative sound. As for the rear seat…it’s really a parcel shelf…as is the case with most vehicles like this.
But back to performance for a minute, as this Lexus LC 500 doesn’t exactly back up to the starting line. A 471 HP 5.0 liter V-8 is standard, as is a 10-speed automatic…and a choice of either 20” or 21’ alloys…and good old-fashioned rear-wheel drive. As mentioned above, this is good for around 168 MPH and a 4.4 second run to 60.
But wait…there’s more! Yes…our test LC 500 came with Lexus’ Dynamic Handling Package. Lucky us. This worth-every-penny $3,920 package included performance rubber, a light-weight carbon fiber roof, a limited slip rear end, performance suspension and brakes, active rear steering, and a speed-activated rear wing.
But even with all the performance “icing on this cake”, it’s still a Lexus…which means that you can always dial in just as much “sport” or “comfort” that you and / or your guest require….making the fast, comfortable and sexy LC 500 truly one of the “Grandest” touring machines that I’ve driven in quite a while.
