Lexus Brings Inspiration Series for ’24 LC 500

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

While there is value in writing about a luxurious two-door coupe planned for very limited production, we’re really just taking this news as an opportunity to run a photo of the perpetually gob-smacking Lexus LC 500.


As my father would say: “That’s a proper car.”

And he’s right. You’re looking at a low-slung two-door beast over 187 inches long, weighing almost 4,400 pounds, and powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine good for 471 horsepower. Acceleration to 60 mph from rest takes a reported 4.4 seconds, though this thing’s sumptuous interior guarantees luxurious comfort for far longer than that amount of time. It’s like an ultra-modern take on this writer’s sorely missed Lincoln Mark VII, though without all the rust holes.

Lexus says the Inspiration Series sets itself apart with those front bumper canards and a carbon fiber fixed rear wing spoiler that’s exclusive to hardtop variants. Yes, the Inspiration Series trim will be available on the convertible, as well. Also on board is a Torsen limited-slip differential and performance dampers out back which are said to improve handling responses. Hardtop versions adopt the convertible’s underfloor braces while also adding a carbon fiber roof. It is reasonable to think those two items will roughly cancel each other out in terms of added and removed weight.

Yer tee time buddies will have not seen this particular color combination before, showing up as a combination of Polar Surge Satin paint and Deep Blue upholstery. The convertible gets a blue ragtop if you’re wondering. That exterior finish is of the matte variety, so be certain the valet parks this thing in a good spot. Black finishes are obvious on items like the side mirrors, front grille surround, and 21-inch wheels. There’s a smattering of carbon fiber type material in the cabin, plus a serialized number plate.


The 2024 LC 500 Inspiration Series is expected to arrive in dealerships early this autumn with 125 units available in North America.


[Image: Lexus]


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Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

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  • SPPPP SPPPP on Aug 16, 2023

    “That’s a proper car.” - Precisely! I want one of these, but convertible, please!

  • Kcflyer Kcflyer on Aug 16, 2023

    If only I could trade that spare kidney for one. As Mike said, in red.

  • Probert They already have hybrids, but these won't ever be them as they are built on the modular E-GMP skateboard.
  • Justin You guys still looking for that sportbak? I just saw one on the Facebook marketplace in Arizona
  • 28-Cars-Later I cannot remember what happens now, but there are whiteblocks in this period which develop a "tick" like sound which indicates they are toast (maybe head gasket?). Ten or so years ago I looked at an '03 or '04 S60 (I forget why) and I brought my Volvo indy along to tell me if it was worth my time - it ticked and that's when I learned this. This XC90 is probably worth about $300 as it sits, not kidding, and it will cost you conservatively $2500 for an engine swap (all the ones I see on car-part.com have north of 130K miles starting at $1,100 and that's not including freight to a shop, shop labor, other internals to do such as timing belt while engine out etc).
  • 28-Cars-Later Ford reported it lost $132,000 for each of its 10,000 electric vehicles sold in the first quarter of 2024, according to CNN. The sales were down 20 percent from the first quarter of 2023 and would “drag down earnings for the company overall.”The losses include “hundreds of millions being spent on research and development of the next generation of EVs for Ford. Those investments are years away from paying off.” [if they ever are recouped] Ford is the only major carmaker breaking out EV numbers by themselves. But other marques likely suffer similar losses. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/fords-120000-loss-vehicle-shows-california-ev-goals-are-impossible Given these facts, how did Tesla ever produce anything in volume let alone profit?
  • AZFelix Let's forego all of this dilly-dallying with autonomous cars and cut right to the chase and the only real solution.
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