Lexus LC 500h

First Drive Stricking new GT takes an innovative approach to hybrid performance.

- Steve Fowler

A HIGH-performance GT is not the most obvious place to find the calm combination of a hybrid engine and CVT automatic gearbox. But Lexus has persevered with both over the years, so it’s no real surprise to see them on offer in the stunning new LC 500h – but with a twist.

First, let’s just drink in the design that’s sure to turn heads. It’s not traditionally beautiful – there are too many sharp edges and intersecting lines for that – but from the low spindle grille, shallow LED headlights, front wings that sit low over the front wheels, floating roof and 3D-effect rear lights, there’s plenty to keep you interested.

Lexus hasn’t hit the high notes with its sportier models since the LFA supercar in 2010. But there’s a determination in the team behind the LC (led by Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda) that we’ve not seen before. There’s a V8 version for the traditionalist, but this hybrid will surprise a few people and keep tech fans happy – it really is very clever.

So let’s deal with the CVT gearbox and it’s often criticised ‘rubber band feel’. Even Lexus folk agree it hasn’t been perfect: “There are some aspects that I myself as a CVT user wish were different,” Koju Oshima, LC Hybrid System Engineer told us. Of course, when it comes to efficiency, a CVT is ideal – it just doesn’t feel very nice.