Lexus LC500

Lexus used the 911 as a benchmark for its new 470bhp coupe. A sprinkling of LFA magic might help its chances, too

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I’M A BIG FANOF THE 911. Its driving feel drives me crazy!’ this is Koji Sato, chief engineer on Lexus’s LC project and the man tasked with turning Lexus into a brand keen drivers no longer cross the road to avoid.

You’ve got to admire his ambition. Satosan tells me his team benchmarked the 911 for steering feel, along with Lexus’s own LFA – that most unlikely of supercars. of course, Lexus has failed to get anywhere close to the stratospheric heights of the LFA in the six or so years since evo first got behind its wheel (and refused to get out). A couple of Fmodels have arrived and disappointed, but, this time, well it just might be different. After all, Lexus has had long enough to get it right – the LF-LC concept car was first seen five years ago, while the mainstream LC coupe made its debut a year ago.What have they been doing all this time?

The answer arrives in a car that’s certainly striking, if not beautiful. It’s a real head-turner in some colours, but not all (brown? Really?). And while the front end looks sublime and could’ve been styled by one Dr Jekyll, the rear, with its mishmash of lines, looks like the work of mr hyde.

There are some delicious details, though. You’ll struggle to take your eyes off front wings that sit so low over the front tyres that you’d swear you’d hear the sound of rubber meeting metal every time you met a speed-hump (you won’t hear a thing, of course – this is a Lexus, after all). the ultra-compact triple LeD head lamps and 3D LED tail-lamps are fascinating to look at. the oversized-spindle grille leads up towards creases on the bonnet that carry on into the cabin, and there are tiny aerofins on the A-pillar to smooth airflow and reduce wind noise. Delightful.