When did the Lexus LC come out?
The production Lexus LC was unveiled in January 2016 and reached U.S. showrooms in 2017 as the 2018 model year. Its predecessor, the LF-LC concept, appeared in 2012, signaling Lexus’ move toward a flagship two‑door grand tourer.
Origins and production timeline
LF-LC concept (2012)
The LF-LC concept debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show to preview a bold design direction and a potential flagship two‑door model for Lexus. It set the stage for a future production coupe with a focus on performance and luxury.
Production debut and official reveal (2016)
In January 2016, Lexus unveiled the production-ready LC at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, presenting two variants: the LC 500 with a 5.0-liter V8 and the LC 500h hybrid. The event marked the transition from concept to a tangible, street-ready model.
Market release timeline
Below is a concise timeline of the key release milestones from concept to showroom availability.
- 2012 — LF-LC concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show, hinting at Lexus’ next flagship.
- January 2016 — Production Lexus LC debuts in Detroit as LC 500 and LC 500h.
- 2017 — U.S. sales commence for the LC as the 2018 model year (both LC 500 and LC 500h).
- Late 2010s onward — Global availability expands with ongoing model-year updates and refinements.
The foregoing milestones illustrate how the LC evolved from a design study to a purchasable luxury grand tourer, with the U.S. market receiving the initial wave in 2017.
Current lineup and reception
The Lexus LC is offered primarily in two variants: the LC 500 (powered by a 5.0-liter V8) and the LC 500h hybrid. It has been praised for its striking styling, advanced chassis dynamics, and elevated interior quality, sustaining Lexus’s flagship status in the two‑door segment through subsequent model years.
Summary
The Lexus LC made its production debut in January 2016 and entered U.S. showrooms in 2017 as the 2018 model year, following the 2012 LF-LC concept that previewed the model. The lineup subsequently included a hybrid LC 500h, enriching the LC’s position as Lexus’s modern flagship two‑door grand tourer, with ongoing refinements in the years that followed.
