Latest news with #PinnacleEdition
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Stunning convertible that Jeremy Clarkson says has ‘most brilliant engine' is being ‘AXED' after 7 years
A popular Japanese car brand has reportedly announced a limited run of the motor RIDE INTO SUNSET Stunning convertible that Jeremy Clarkson says has 'most brilliant engine' is being 'AXED' after 7 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN iconic convertible that Jeremy Clarkson praised for having the 'most brilliant engine' is reportedly being axed after seven years. According to Japanese outlet Creative Trend, the beloved Lexus LC 500 is nearing the end of its production. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Lexus is reportedly discontinuing the iconic LC convertible Credit: Toyota UK 4 Lexus will celebrate the car's legacy with a limited run of the "Pinnacle Edition" in 2026 Credit: Handout Despite the LC being heralded as one of the best-looking motors of the modern era by car lovers, the LC will reportedly be discontinued after the 2026 model year. The popular Japanese manufacturer has been selling the convertible since 2018. TFL car explained that while the LC has received a few minor updates along the way, what makes the motor is the styling, as well as its 471-horsepower 6.0-liter V8. Clarkson told The Sunday Times that the LC's engine "is just the most brilliant," in 2020 The ex Top Gear star said: "The Lexus sets off on a creamy, seamless wave of horsepower, which fills your head with serotonin and dopamine and all the other brain chemicals you need to stay alive and intelligent." He has also praised the Lexus 5-litre V8 engine before when it was used in the GS F. According to The Sunday Times, he likened the engine's sound to a "lonely wolf," and said he "liked it a very lot." Creative Trend reported that the automaker is sending out the LC in the home market with a special 'Pinnacle Edition' Lexus are only planning to manufacture 100 units each of the coupe and convertible, which will reportedly go to Japanese customers. It plans to sell half of the limited run to current interested owners, and the other half to the general public. New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further According to the report, the coupe will have a matte silver look, while the convertible will be a Neutrino Gray with a sand-coloured top, however, images of the new vehicle are yet to be released. It has also been reported that this edition will come with a carbon fibre rear spoiler, red break calipers, and distinct 21-inch alloy wheels. This will be their last car to come out with a V8 engine In response to this discontinuation, Yahoo autos said: 'Far too many V8 cars are disappearing these days, including the Lexus LC 500, if a new report is to be believed. 'While it is sad news we would love not to be true, the writing has been on the wall for a while, so we are not surprised.' The Sun has reached out to Lexus for comment. 4 The motor is regarded by car lovers as one of the best-looking modern day convertibles Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Stunning convertible that Jeremy Clarkson says has ‘most brilliant engine' is being ‘AXED' after 7 years
AN iconic convertible that Jeremy Clarkson praised for having the 'most brilliant engine' is reportedly being axed after seven years. According to Japanese outlet 4 Lexus is reportedly discontinuing the iconic LC convertible Credit: Toyota UK 4 Lexus will celebrate the car's legacy with a limited run of the "Pinnacle Edition" in 2026 Credit: Handout Despite the LC being heralded as one of the best-looking motors of the modern era by car lovers, the LC will reportedly be discontinued after the 2026 model year. The popular Clarkson told The Sunday Times that the LC's engine "is just the most brilliant," in 2020 The ex Top Gear star said: "The Lexus sets off on a creamy, seamless wave of horsepower, which fills your head with serotonin and dopamine and all the other brain chemicals you need to stay alive and intelligent." He has also praised the Lexus 5-litre According to Creative Trend reported that the automaker is sending out the LC in the home market with a special 'Pinnacle Edition' Lexus are only planning to manufacture 100 units each of the coupe and convertible, which will reportedly go to Japanese customers. It plans to sell half of the limited run to current interested owners, and the other half to the general public. Most read in Motors New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further According to the report, the coupe will have a matte silver look, while the It has also been reported that this edition will come with a carbon fibre rear spoiler, red break calipers, and distinct 21-inch alloy wheels. This will be their last car to come out with a V8 engine In response to this discontinuation, 'While it is sad news we would love not to be true, the writing has been on the wall for a while, so we are not surprised.' The Sun has reached out to Lexus for comment. 4 The motor is regarded by car lovers as one of the best-looking modern day convertibles Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 4 The "Pinnacle Edition" will be Lexus' last V8 motor Credit: Lexus UK
Car and Driver
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
The Lovely Lexus LC Might Not Be Long for This World
The Lexus LC is nearing the end of production, according to a report by the Japanese site Creative Trend. The LC will reportedly be discontinued after the 2026 model year, and the Japanese market will get a limited-run Pinnacle Edition. We don't yet know if a similar model will be sold in the United States or if the hybrid LC500h and V-8-powered LC500 will last past the current 2025 model year. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but we'd argue anyone with eyes will agree that the Lexus LC is one of the most beautiful new cars on the market. Its design hasn't changed since the lovely two-door coupe and convertible first went on sale for the 2018 model year, yet they still manage to look both futuristic and timeless. Sadly, if a new report turns out to be true, Lexus's prettiest car might not be long for this world. The LC's Pinnacle The LC will be discontinued after the 2026 model year, as reported by Creative Trend, a Japanese automotive website. While there won't be any significant changes, a Pinnacle Edition will reportedly be offered in limited quantities, with just 100 coupes and 100 convertibles available. Those copies will only be offered in the Japanese market, and buyers will have to be lucky enough to win a lottery. So, who's eligible for the lottery? The report states that half the slots are for Lexus owners and the other half are for the general public. View Photos Lexus While we don't have any images of the LC Pinnacle, the coupe reportedly has matte silver paint with a black-and-white interior. Other special bits are said to include forged 21-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a carbon-fiber rear spoiler. The topless alternative reportedly wears Neutrino Gray paint with a sand-colored soft top and an interior that mixes saddle tan and white. The convertible Pinnacle is said to have the same unique extras as its hardtop counterpart. In the United States, the lineup includes the LC500h (coupe only), with its 354-hp hybrid V-6 setup, and the LC500, which has a glorious 471-hp naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8. When we tested the latter in convertible form, it confidently leapt to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Pricing for the outgoing Japanese-market LC is irrelevant, but the 2025 Lexus LC500 and LC500h currently start at $101,100 and $104,250, respectively. A special goodbye edition will only increase those prices. View Photos Lexus Car and Driver reached out to a spokesperson for Lexus North America and asked if they could confirm whether the LC will soon be discontinued, but we didn't hear back at the time of publishing. We'll update this story if we get an answer. Meanwhile, it's unclear if the Lexus LC sold in the U.S. will last past the current 2025 model year. It'll also be interesting to see if we get a limited-production send-off similar to the JDM Pinnacle. Considering Lexus has announced an Ultimate Edition of the IS500 sedan, it seems likely the LC could receive the same treatment. Eric Stafford Managing Editor, News Eric Stafford's automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual '97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a '90 Honda CRX Si.
The Drive
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
Please, No: The Lexus LC500 and Its V8 Might Not Have Much Time Left
The latest car news, reviews, and features. I don't know of a car that's more universally loved than the Lexus LC500. It's drop-dead gorgeous, it drives great, and its 5.0-liter V8 sounds even better. Sure, it's kind of old at this point, but that doesn't mean it needs to die. Japanese outlet Creative Trend reports that's about to happen, though, and as a praying man, I'm asking that it might stick around a while longer. Creative Trend claims that the LC500 will bow out after the 2026 model year, joining the similarly V8-powered IS500. The two-door is only getting a small list of updates before it supposedly goes away, though a limited run of 200 Pinnacle Edition cars is said to be in the works. These special LC500s will be sold to customers who enter and win a lottery pick, with 50 convertibles and 50 coupes going to two groups: Lexus Owners and General. Deliveries of the LC500 Pinnacle Edition will allegedly start at the end of 2025 for current Lexus owners and early 2026 for members of the general public. Creative Trend writes that all coupes will be painted matte silver while the convertibles are going to be coated in Neutrino gray, which we saw just recently on the IS500 Climax Edition. (Yes, that's really what it's called.) Other upgrades include the Mark Levison premium audio setup, 21-inch forged aluminum wheels, a carbon fiber scuff plate, and a carbon fiber rear spoiler, among others. I've reached out to Lexus for comment on whether or not this might actually be the LC500's last dance. I'll be sure to update this story with the company's response if it provides one. The LC500's updated interior is sweet and comes with some neat color combos. Caleb Jacobs I tested an LC500 convertible just a while back after trying to get behind the wheel of one for literal years. It was everything I'd hoped for and more. The review isn't out just yet—gotta get on that—but I can tell you that the car world is a better place with the LC500 in it. I'm genuinely wishing for it to stay put, but only if it can remain in its current V8 form. There's no point in watering it down with anything less than that grunting, naturally aspirated lump that makes you smile with every shift. And before you ask, no, I don't acknowledge the existence of the V6 hybrid LC500h. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
Auto Blog
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
The Coolest Lexus In Years Is Being Axed
What will replace this Lexus coupe? If you're a fan of naturally aspirated V8s and pretty coupes/convertibles, this will be a double whammy. According to Japanese site Creative Trend, Lexus is gearing up to discontinue the LC 500, LC 500h, and LC 500 Convertible. Not only does the LC come with one of the last naturally aspirated V8s around, but it will surely go down as a design icon. Like the V8-powered IS 500, which is being sent off into the sunset with a series of special editions, the LC range will also get one more limited edition before it's officially retired. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Thinking about buying a Toyota RAV4? These 5 rivals might change your mind Watch More LC Pinnacle Edition Will Be Highly Exclusive 2025 Lexus LC — Source: Lexus Set to be announced on June 26, the special Pinnacle edition of the LC 500 will only be available in 200 units, limited to Japan. One hundred models (50 LC 500 Coupes and 50 LC 500 Convertibles) will be reserved for Lexus owners, with the same number of models available as part of a general slot. A lottery system will be used to determine the lucky customers of these special models. The Pinnacle models are expected to get Matte Silver paint and unique 21-inch forged alloy wheels in a black finish. Red brake calipers and a carbon rear spoiler will complete the look. Inside, a black and white color scheme will be used, and seats will be upholstered in semi-aniline leather. A Mark Levinson sound system, a color head-up display, and an Alcantara instrument panel complete the changes. For the convertible, many of the same changes apply, but it will also get a Sand Beige roof, Neutrino Gray paint, and a synthetic leather ornament panel. US-Specific Packages Expected Source: Lexus With the recent announcement of the IS 500, there were similar packages for both the Japanese and US markets, although the one in Japan had the more hilarious name by far. We expect the local one to feature unique paint and colors, special badging, and a limited run of models. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. In case you forgot, the LC 500 has a 5.0-liter V8 engine that's good for 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. It's hardly the fastest car at the price, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. But what sets it apart is the unique character and high-revving capabilities of its V8. Combined with the LC's flashy looks and decadent interior, it's been the perfect halo car for Lexus over the last couple of years. The LC 500h hybrid trades the V8 for a 3.5L V6. But even if the LC is discontinued soon, that doesn't mean Lexus sports cars with V8s are going away forever. The upcoming Lexus LFR was spied earlier this week, and rumors suggest it will have a hybrid V8 powertrain. It's expected to be a lot more powerful and involving than the LC, which has always been at its best at a high-speed cruise. Pricing for the limited LC Pinnacle isn't known yet, nor is the exact availability date. However, if it is indeed announced on Thursday as per Creative Trend's statement, we expect it to be launched imminently, and if that happens, a US-specific model can't be too far behind. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
