Lexus is saying goodbye to the beautiful LC in Europe and therefore also to the V8

After V12 engines, eight cylinders are also busy with their swan song. Lexus, one of only two brands that still had the coveted V8 in its range, under the hood of the magnificent LC Convertible, has dropped the model from its European range along with the coupe version. This means that in Europe only the Ford Mustang is still available with a naturally aspirated eight cylinder. There are still supercharged copy options from BMW and Mercedes and from more exclusive brands like Aston Martin, Lamborghini or Ferrari, but that’s about it. And to think that there was a VW Passat and a Volvo XC90 with a V8 on the list …

We drove the Lexus LC 500 Convertible twice here at Autonieuws, the last time was last summer and the first time in 2021 and we were fans of this special car.

The LC, available as a coupe and convertible, was the epitome of elegance and what is known as ‘craft’ in English. The level of finish and quality of materials was unprecedented – unless you look at Bentley or Rolls-Royce – and the preference for the LC was, due to its scarcity, as great as that of the English royal family who command at least two to four. it often had to cost.

The coupe variant was introduced in Geneva in 2016 and was only available as the LC500h with a hybrid powertrain with a 3.5-liter V6, but proposed in Los Angeles at the end of 2019 can also be ordered with the expected incredible sound. V8 (LC500) with 464 hp and 530 Nm. The model is being withdrawn from Lexus’ European range for ‘legal and relational reasons’, the brand said.

Due to the disappearance of the LC Coupé and Convertible, the European Lexus range consists of SUVs, including the LBX, UX, NX, RZ and RX and two limousines, the ES and LS. Both use hybrid powertrains that are economical but unfortunately don’t offer the same performance as the good V8 that Lexus is saying goodbye to.

Trust us when we say that the end of the Lexus LC will bring a few (figurative) tears to our editors. But as everyone knows: all good songs come to an end (one day).