Lexus LC to exit Australia with Special Edition as orders for regular version paused

The Lexus LC sports car will soon depart Australian showrooms in a limited-build Special Edition variant, after close to a decade in production.

Australia follows other right-hand-drive markets such as the UK – and precedes the end of production for the US next month – in discontinuing the LC, which is reaching the end of its life cycle with no direct successor.

Lexus has confirmed a "small number" of LC500 Special Edition Coupe variants is due in Australian showrooms before the end of this year, with the local allocation already exhausted.

The Special Edition adds Oborogin Grey metallic matte paint, unique 21-inch wheels, a fixed rear spoiler, black exterior accents, and a black and white two-tone interior with a "special-edition" steering wheel, instrument panel and door trims.

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It is unclear if plans for a convertible version, announced in 2025 for "later in 2026" with "allocation restricted to single digits," ever came to market.

Order books for the regular Lexus LC were paused earlier this year after the brand's "allocation had been exhausted to orders we had in the system," Lexus Australia CEO Jack Hobbs told Drive.

Revealed in 2016, the LC arrived in Australia as a coupe in 2017, with the convertible joining the local line-up in 2020.

It was most recently priced from $203,655 plus on-road costs for the LC500 coupe, rising to $215,465 for the slower-selling LC500h hybrid coupe, and $217,265 for the LC500 Convertible.

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There is a choice of a naturally-aspirated 5.0-litre V8 producing 351kW/540Nm – with the LC now the last road-going Lexus to use the engine – or a 3.5-litre V6 hybrid with a combined output of 264kW. 

Both variants are underpinned by the Toyota group's GA-L platform, driving the rear wheels through automatic transmissions marketed with 10 speeds.

The future of Lexus’ other long-running flagship, the LS sedan, also remains uncertain, as it is discontinued in markets such as the US.

Lexus has confirmed that the LS is still in production, albeit in "limited volumes". So far this year, the brand has delivered just 10 LC models and only two LS sedans.