Minority Report: Lexus LC500h

Over 15 years ago, Lexus took a lead role in the movie “Minority Report” starring Tom Cruise with a bright red concept called the 2054.  In theory, it ran on electricity from hydrogen fuel cells, drove itself, and was a vision of a dystopian future in which the car may have been the best thing going.  Here in the future, Lexus presents us with a production car that’s nearly as cool as the concept.

Future Car Styling

While it looks like a concept car, the LC500h takes an entirely different stylistic route to coolness.  Based on the LF-LC concept that debuted at the 2012 Detroit auto show, where it won an EyesOn Design award, the LC looks like it was shaped by the cosmos, then beamed down for human delight. A wide exotic profile stems from a hood drawn tight over the flared front fenders and flowing down into Lexus’ large spindle grille.  The low floating roof hovers over wide rear fenders and into the high decklid.  Jewelry like the triple LED headlamps, L-shaped daytime running lights, cut side sculpting, and vertical silver elements front and rear add concept car details – as do the glass roof, 20-inch wheels, and mirrors integrated with the taillamps that add dimension.  

The interior is everything you would expect from a futuristic Lexus.  Large flatscreens for the instruments and infotainment dominate the dashboard in a wide horizontal sweep.  Beneath, are controls for climate.  Heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, and 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system cocoon passengers.  A comprehensive head-up display hovers over the hood.  Alcantara suede on the doors, cosseting leather sport seats, stitched coverings for the dash and console, and sculptural pattern beneath plastic on the passenger side are pure art.  Definitely choose intoxicating Rioja red for the seats and accents.

The infotainment controls, however, are not so intoxicating.  Sure, having a touch pad to control climate control, audio, and navigation sounds cool, but have you ever tried to use a desktop computer while driving 70 mph in traffic?  Not a good plan!  And, having to go multiple menus deep to adjust the heated seats is a bit much.  Lexus seems married to this control system, but there are easier ways, so I’d recommend a divorce.

Electro-Fossil Powertrain

Under the exotic bodywork is an equally exotic powertrain.  The fossil-burning part is a 3.5-liter V6 engine, but that’s paired with lithium-ion batteries to generate 354 horsepower – powerful enough to launch the rear-drive coupe 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds and to a 155 mph top speed.  It can run up to 87 mph on electricity alone.  Leave it in auto mode, or use the magnesium paddles behind the steering wheel to shift through 10 pre-determined gear ratios.  Thanks in part to regenerative brakes, fuel economy is rated 26/35-MPG city/hwy.  The balance of supercar acceleration and compact car fuel economy is superb.

Make no mistake; the LC is a big car.  It’s based on the same architecture that underpins the flagship LS sedan and weighs a pudgy 4,435 lbs.  Engineers worked hard to deliver a nearly 50/50 weight balance, with mass placed as close to the car’s center as possible.  Active rear steering, variable gear ratio steering, and customizable drive modes delight drivers with a car that transforms from comfy highway cruiser to stiff track hawk with the turn of a dial attached to the instrument binnacle.

The LC comes with safety systems not imagined when "The Minority Report" was released.  Standard are a pre-collision warning system with pedestrian detection, radar-enabled adaptive cruise control, and lane departure alert with steering assist.  Our car also came with blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert.

The Lexus LC500h may not be quite the self-driving supercar we were promised in the movie, but it’s the supercar for today’s “future.” It looks future-tech exotic, snaps heads at every corner, is electrified, and is rolling sculpture.  I just wish Lexus would re-think the “joy pad” controls.  A base price of $96,510, or $102,025 as tested, puts the LC500h against the BMW i8, Mercedes-AMG GT, and Chevrolet Corvette Z06.

Storm Forward!

Watch Casey’s video review of the 2018 LC500h; follow him on YouTube and Twitter:  @AutoCasey.

2018 Lexus LC500h

• Two-passenger, rwd Coupe
• Powertrain: 354 hp 3,5-liter V6, Li-Ion batteries
• Suspension f/r: Ind/Ind
• Wheels f/r: 20”/20” alloy
• Brakes f/r: regen disc/disc                  
• Must-have features: Rolling art, efficiency
• 0-60 mph:  4.7s                    
• Top speed:  155 mph 
• Fuel economy: 26/35 mpg city/hwy
• Assembly: Japan
• Base/as-tested price: $96,510/102,025