Lexus has announced that fans of the Toyota luxury coupes will get a live glimpse of its second variant of the LC at the Geneva Motor Show.
The LC 500h is famed to bring "enhanced driving pleasure, more performance and greater efficiency," not in small part due to the premium hybrid Multi Stage Hybrid System. Yes, you read that correctly: the LC 500h will be a hybrid vehicle.
First off, let there be noted that the standard LC 500 packs a 5.0-liter V8, which provides 467 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. This means that the LC 500 reaches 60 mph in almost 4.5 seconds. The drive happens automatically via a 10-speed gearbox.
To date, there is no official information about the 500h's internal combustion solution. Realistic estimations say that the engine combo is composed of a main 3.5-liter V6 engine and a secondary, water-cooled permanent-magnet electric motor.
Lexus' hybrid engines worked well on the GS 450h sedan, for example, so it is plausible to see the couple taking some inspiration from it. The variant of the engine from the sedan provided 340 horsepower, but should the carmaker translate it to the LC 500h, we could see an improved, more powerful powertrain.
The world premiere of the Lexus LC 500h will occur at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. The company announced that it will reveal all details about the car at its stand in Hall 4, Palexpo Exhibition Center. Those who want to see the live event should be there on March 1, at 11:30 a.m. CET (5:30 a.m. EST).
At the Geneva Motor Show, Toyota's luxury division also aims to showcase the LF-FC Concept. The carmaker first revealed this fuel cell saloon concept at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, and it says that it heralds the direction in which the next flagship sedan is headed.
The LC 500h's interior should borrow from its non-hybrid variant - an all-digital dashboard interface that sports Lexus' latest infotainment system. The new GA-L platform, which features the aluminum and high-strength steel components in suspension, should reduce the weight of the hybrid.
"[The LC-FC Concept] is powered by a high-output fuel cell system and features advanced, touchless controls and automated driving technologies," Lexus says.
