Car India – August 2019

The ShowS o

Wedrivethenewflagshipfrom

Lexus on its home turf, a car so

radical that it made heads turn

even in the automobile haven

that Japan is

Story: Sarmad Kadiri Photography: Lexus

f you’relookingforagrand

tourerbutwanttostandoutfromtheusual

europeanchoices,thenthisiswhatyou

shouldbelookingat.The 2020 lC500h,

flagshipluxurycoupéfromlexus,aimsto

bringtogetherallthegoodnessofbrands

likeBentleyContinentalgT and the new

BMW8 Series, served with a pinch of authentic

Japanese flavour.

Just look at the seductively curvy body with the

flared-upwheel-archesandpulled-indoorswhichcreate

anarrow waist. Somesuggestthattheprofile isinspired

bytheformofa crouchingtiger.andiagree.Thisbeast

is abouttopounceontheindian market towards the end

of the year. Since we’ll be getting the hybrid version and

not the fire-breathing 5.0-litre V8 monster, the question

remains if the smaller capacity 500h has any hidden

dragonswithin?Togettheanswer, we head to their

award-winningKyushuplantinFukuoka,Japan. This is

wherethelCcomestolife.

Thedesignisunmistakablylexus with a massive

signature grille, an equally large front bumper and the

ultra-compact,frowning-eye-likeheadlamps,all

intricatelydetailed.Thewheelshavebeenpushed

furtherout,givingthecara muchwiderstance.on the

side, the all-black roof and C-pillar visually separate the

top of the car from the beefy rear fender, while the

chrome highlights on the roof seem to be inspired by a

Japanese warrior sword. The retractable door-handles

create a flush finish and one must push on its front part

to make it pop out.

I

First Drive | Lexus LC 500h

82 car india^ August 2019 http://www.carindia.in

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