Lexus prepares its fleet for SEMA
Lexus has unveiled its hotted-up cars ahead of the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Along with a trio of LC500 coupes, the Japanese manufacturer will show a worked-over take on its luxury flagship, the LS F Sport.
The first car is actually going to be sold in the USA, in a departure from the usual pie-in-the-sky madness on show at SEMA. Dubbed the LC500 Inspiration Series in Structural Blue (below), it has been designed to reference the Black Panther character King T’Challa.
Just 100 will be built, featuring a special blue paint finish called ‘Structural Blue.’ The finish actually took eight months to develop, and has supposedly been inspired by the morpho butterfly.
Along with the paintwork, the LC Inspiration Series has been treated to a set of carbon-fibre scuff plates, a full-white interior, 21-inch forged alloy wheels and a set of limited-edition bar glasses inspired by the car.
In keeping with the Black Panther (can you tell Lexus is sponsoring the movie?) theme set by the first LC, the second concept (above) has also been inspired by the upcoming superhero film. The company has teamed up with West Coast Customs to create the show car – and the pair have clearly had some fun in the process.
If (like me) you aren’t a Marvel superhero fan, this next paragraph is unlikely to make much sense, but bear with us. Along with some real-world changes, including a pulsing underfloor lighting system and claw-inspired side mirrors, the bonnet has been fitted with a Black Panther mask and “vibranium-powered core indicator nodes.”
A system controlled by a “Wakandan B-CPU” allows for a “symbiotic relationship” between car and driver, too. To which we say: ‘sure it does, good work guys.’
Moving on from the movie-inspired madness, Lexus has teamed up with Gordon Ting and Beyond Marketing to create a hotter LS F Sport (above). Changes are limited to a set of 22-inch forged wheels and Pirelli P-Zero tyres, a matte white wrap and lowered air suspension. As you’d expect, this one won’t be headed for showrooms.
Gordon Ting and Beyond Marketing have also reworked the LC500 for SEMA this year, with the (catchily named) 2018 LC500 by Gordon Ting and Beyond Marketing. Outside, the widened and lowered body has been wrapped in Supreme Satin Carmine Red, and the package rides on 22-inch forged wheels.
The car has been lowered with a KW Suspension kit, complete with hydraulic lift system, and bigger Brembo brakes lurk behind those Rays wheels. Inside, the standard leather seats have been swapped for a set of Sparco buckets.
Lexus will bring these four cars to SEMA alongside the RC F GT3 and the LC500 shown off last year. Stay tuned for all the latest from the floor in Las Vegas.
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