This Japanese V8 Is A Classic In The Making

As the automotive industry races toward hybridizationm electrification, forced induction, and digitally synthesized exhaust tones, the Lexus LC500 remains a defiant tribute to the art of grand touring. Beneath its sculpted hood sits a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8—one of the last survivors of its breed—delivering a raw, unfiltered driving experience wrapped in stunning design and obsessive attention to detail. European marques like Aston Martin, Porsche, and BMW have long defined this segment, but Lexus charted its own course with the LC500, blending visceral emotion with Japanese precision into something that feels timeless the moment you lay eyes on it.

Between its limited production numbers, intoxicating V8 soundtrack, and interior craftsmanship that rivals exotic machinery costing twice as much, the LC500 is already cementing its place as a future collectible. It’s an unexpected halo car for a brand better known for quiet luxury and hybrid efficiency than pulse-quickening performance, and that’s precisely what makes it so remarkable. In an era marching steadily toward silence, the LC500 refuses to whisper. It roars—boldly, beautifully, and without apology.

The Lexus LC500 Is A Unicorn

The Lexus LC500 occupies a singular space in the modern automotive world—a naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive grand tourer swimming against a tide of downsized turbo engines and electrified powertrains. While competitors obsess over lap times and fuel economy figures, Lexus crafted something different: a machine built around emotion, visual drama, and the simple pleasure of covering ground in style.

Its 5.0-liter V8 spins freely to 7,300 rpm, generating 471 horsepower alongside a spine-tingling exhaust note and beautifully linear power delivery. Free from turbo lag and devoid of piped-in engine noise, the LC500 offers an authenticity that grows rarer by the model year—particularly at this level of sophistication.

Its unicorn status extends beyond the drivetrain, though. Since launching in 2017, Lexus has kept production remarkably constrained, averaging just 2,500 to 3,000 units annually worldwide. For perspective, Porsche moves over 40,000 examples of the 911 each year—sometimes building more in a single month than Lexus produces LC500s in twelve. This deliberate scarcity amplifies the car’s exclusivity and strengthens its case as a future collectible, especially as analog performance machines disappear from showroom floors.

What makes the LC500 even more fascinating is its understated place in the Lexus hierarchy. Unlike the limited-production LFA supercar, this wasn’t engineered as a halo piece. There are no splashy marketing blitzes, no racing heritage propping up its reputation, no attempts to undercut Ferrari or chase Nürburgring glory. The LC500 exists comfortably in its own lane as a striking, high-style cruiser that prioritizes elegance and soul over raw statistics. In many respects, it’s a car Lexus built simply because they could, not because market research demanded it. That’s the essence of its unicorn appeal: a Japanese luxury coupe that ignores trends, celebrates driving emotion, and maintains its rarity not through astronomical pricing, but through sheer conviction.

Lexus’ Most Exclusive Model

When Lexus unveiled the LC500 at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, the reaction was stunned silence followed by applause. This wasn’t a concept—it was the production model, and it looked nearly identical to the radical LF-LC study that preceded it. From its intricate spindle grille to the blade-like LED taillights, the LC500 became the brand’s most daring design statement. But exclusivity extends beyond aesthetics. Lexus never intended this to be a volume seller, keeping production deliberately limited to maintain strong resale values and sustained desirability.

Equally notable is what Lexus hasn’t done. There’s no carbon-clad track variant or aggressive “Black Series” treatment—just the V8 coupe, a convertible, and the hybrid LC500h. This restraint has preserved the model’s purity and reinforced its identity as a boutique GT. Where other manufacturers dilute their lineups with endless derivatives, Lexus has kept the LC500 focused, cementing it as one of the most desirable Japanese performance cars available today.

The LC500 Is An Unlikely Flagship Model

In many ways, the LC500 wasn’t the obvious choice for Lexus’ flagship coupe. The brand built its reputation on silent refinement, understated design, and bulletproof dependability. The LC500, in contrast, is loud—visually and aurally. It’s a rolling contradiction, breaking nearly every Lexus stereotype. Yet, it has succeeded precisely because of this. It bridges the gap between Lexus’ luxury roots and a new, emotionally driven brand philosophy that dares to compete with the likes of Aston Martin and Jaguar in the emotional appeal department.

What makes the LC500 an unlikely flagship is the fact that it offers more character than some of its far more expensive European rivals. Lexus has never really been in the business of selling emotion, but the LC500 forced them to. It doesn’t just whisper elegance—it roars style and performance. From the moment you start its V8 engine, there’s a rawness and mechanical purity that feels delightfully out of sync with the digital, tech-obsessed luxury cars of today.

In taking this risk, Lexus didn’t just build a halo car; they created a new benchmark for what Japanese grand touring can look like. The LC500 isn’t trying to be a better Mercedes or Porsche; it’s trying to be something different, something inherently Lexus. And in doing so, it has become a brand-defining product that stands as a testament to Toyota’s engineering ambition and design confidence.

The Pinnacle Of Lexus Design

The LC500 is arguably the most beautiful Lexus ever built, and possibly one of the most striking grand tourers of the 21st century. The silhouette is long and low, with a cab-rearward design that screams rear-wheel-drive performance. Every line appears to have been drawn with intention—from the aggressive front fascia to the graceful rear haunches. It’s a car that looks in motion even when it’s standing still, an attribute more often seen in high-end exotics.

Inside, the design language is just as meticulous. The LC500’s cabin is a masterclass in craftsmanship, blending traditional Takumi-level attention to detail with futuristic materials and textures. The asymmetric layout of the dashboard isn’t just artistic—it’s ergonomic, tailored to the driver’s experience. Whether you’re running your hand over the Alcántara door panels or feeling the knurled metal of the paddle shifters, the LC500 feels like it was built with a jeweler’s precision.

Lexus didn’t cut corners with the materials either. Everything you touch feels rich and authentic. Real metal, real leather, and optional carbon fiber inserts give the cabin a premium feel that’s as impressive as anything from Bentley or Mercedes-Benz. More than just a pretty face, the LC500 proves that Japan can build a luxury GT car that looks and feels just as bespoke as its European competition—if not more so.

A Price Advantage Over Its Competitors

One of the most compelling aspects of the LC500 is its price. Starting just over $100,000, it undercuts many of its European rivals while offering a more unique and arguably more rewarding experience. Consider the competition: the BMW 8 Series, Porsche 911 Carrera, and Jaguar F-Type R all cost more when comparably equipped, yet few offer a naturally aspirated V8 with this level of style and drama. The LC500 is proof that a world-class GT car doesn’t have to come with a six-figure ego.

But the value proposition goes beyond the sticker price. The LC500 is a Lexus, which means it comes with industry-leading reliability, a luxurious dealership experience, and long-term ownership peace of mind. That’s not something you can say about some German rivals known for their high maintenance and repair costs. The LC500 doesn’t just cost less to buy—it costs less to own, a fact that will matter immensely to buyers who want both thrill and practicality in their GT car.

Even on the used market, LC500s are holding their value exceptionally well. Limited supply, low production numbers, and strong desirability have helped keep depreciation minimal. For enthusiasts looking for a future classic that won’t hemorrhage money, the LC500 is an attractive option. And as production inevitably winds down and electrification takes over, the value of this analog masterpiece is only likely to increase. It’s not just a great GT for the price—it’s a smart long-term investment.