The Lexus LC Special Edition Coupe will be the final model of the brand’s flagship grand tourer in Australia, ending a ten‑year run for the two‑door sports sedan.
Final Australian Offering Arrives in 2026
The limited‑run LC 500 Special Edition is slated for delivery in the second half of 2026, and the vehicles have already been allocated and sold out. Lexus Australia will receive only a small batch of the coupes, which will be offered to existing local customers.
Production of the LC began globally in 2017, and the car has served as Lexus’s halo performance vehicle ever since. Its departure coincides with the brand’s broader shift toward electrified powertrains, a direction hinted at by recent concept previews.
Design Roots and Technical Specs
Derived from the LF‑LC concept unveiled in 2012, the production model was among the first to use Lexus’s rear‑drive GA‑L platform. The chassis provides a low centre of gravity and increased rigidity, helping the coupe achieve its distinctive silhouette.
Australian buyers could choose between two powertrains for most of the model’s lifespan. The LC 500 featured a naturally aspirated 5.0‑litre V8 delivering 351 kW and 540 Nm, paired with a 10‑speed automatic transmission. The LC 500h combined a 3.5‑litre petrol‑electric hybrid system for a total output of 264 kW.
In 2020 the lineup expanded with the LC 500 Convertible, adding an open‑air option. Subsequent updates brought chassis refinements, a more rigid body, the latest Lexus multimedia suite, Connected Services, and upgraded Lexus Safety System+ technology.
Related: Mercedes unveils new hybrid and electric GLA
Jack Hobbs, chief executive of Lexus Australia, said the LC had become one of the company’s defining models, blending bold styling, grand‑touring performance and the craftsmanship associated with the Japanese luxury marque.
For owners, the Special Edition’s limited availability may feel like a bittersweet finale. The model’s rarity could boost resale values, but it also signals that the brand’s focus will move away from traditional V8 grand tourers toward hybrid and electric platforms.
While the LC departs showrooms, Lexus plans to keep its influence alive in future performance and luxury vehicles. The brand’s DISCOVER Vision concept points toward a new generation of emotionally engaging cars built around advanced technology and human‑centred design.
Industry analysts note that the shift mirrors a global trend where manufacturers prioritize efficiency without sacrificing premium appeal.
Upcoming releases such as the upcoming electric SUV are expected to inherit the LC’s design language, featuring sleek lines and a driver‑focused interior.
Customers who have already purchased the LC can anticipate software updates that will extend connectivity features well into the next decade.
