Lexus LC production ends in Australia
The announcement that Lexus LC production ending in Australia marks the final chapter for the brand’s V8‑powered coupe Down Under, with a limited special‑edition LC 500 set to arrive later this year.
Final allocation exhausted
Lexus confirmed that the allocation for the LC has already been used up, leaving only a small batch of units for Australian customers. A spokesperson for Lexus Australia said the company can no longer take orders for any model in the LC range. The upcoming special edition, slated for the second half of the year, will be the last examples of the car to be sold locally.
The LC 500, introduced globally in 2017, sits at the top of Lexus’s two‑door sports lineup. It is offered as a hard‑top coupe or as a convertible, and it carried a price tag exceeding $200,000 in Australia. The model competes with luxury grand‑touring coupes such as the BMW 8‑Series.
Powertrain options and future prospects
Customers could choose between a 5.0‑litre V8 petrol engine delivering 351 kW and 540 Nm of torque, or a 3.5‑litre hybrid unit producing 264 kW and 350 Nm. The rear‑wheel‑drive layout has been a hallmark of the LC’s driving character.
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Lexus originally planned to cease production of the LC in late 2025, but the special‑edition batch will now serve as the model’s final iteration. The LC is the larger sibling of the RC compact sports car, which was discontinued in 2022.
A Lexus Australia spokesperson declined to comment on any direct replacement for the LC 500. However, industry speculation in 2024 suggested the next generation could abandon the V8 in favour of a 3.5‑litre twin‑turbo V6 hybrid or a fully electric powertrain.
Last year, Lexus unveiled an electric sports‑car concept at the Japan Mobility Show. The concept featured multiple electric motors and battery packs, hinting at a possible direction for a future LC successor.
The brand aims for an all‑electric lineup by 2030, making an electric replacement plausible.
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For those unfamiliar with the LC’s place in Lexus’s portfolio, it represented the company’s attempt to blend traditional grand‑touring luxury with a more performance‑focused ethos. Its V8 engine was a nod to classic sports coupes, while the hybrid option offered a compromise for buyers seeking efficiency without sacrificing power. This dual‑approach has become less common as manufacturers shift toward electrification.
The final run arrives soon.
The limited‑run LC 500 units will be the last chance for Australian enthusiasts to own a new example of the V8‑driven luxury coupe.
