Lexus Confirms Multi-Stage Hybrid System For Swoopy LC 500h Luxury Super-Coupe

by Brandon Hill — Monday, February 15, 2016, 11:47 AM EDT

Early last month, Lexus wowed auto show attendees with its all-new LC 500, which manages to pack in a 467hp 5.0-liter V8 engine into a uniquely-styled coupe. The design of the LC 500 may not be for everyone, but you can’t deny that the vehicle is an eye-catcher (for better or worse).

Although it wasn’t announced at the Detroit Auto Show in January, we had a feeling that Lexus was developing a hybrid version of its latest luxury coupe. Today, Lexus confirmed our suspicions with the announcement of the LC 500h, which will be officially unveiled at the upcoming 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March. Lexus says that the LC 500h will debut the company’s next generation Multi Stage Hybrid System that will “[provide] enhanced driving pleasure, more performance, and greater efficiency.”

Lexus is remaining mum on the exact powertrain details of the LC 500h until the Geneva Motor Show starts, but earlier reports suggest that the hybrid will be powered by a 3.5-liter naturally-aspired V6 that produces around 300hp combined with a 200hp electric motor. Total combined horsepower is said to be in the same ballpark as the V8-powered LC 500, while providing vastly superior fuel economy. We also don’t know if the LC 500h will continue to make use of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) like previous Lexus hybrid, or if it will make use of the company’s brand new 10-speed automatic transmission that debuted in the LC 500.

Lexus LF-FC Concept

It should be noted that both powertrains found (and the underlying platform) in the LC 500 and LC 500h are expected to make their way into Lexus’ next generation LS flagship luxury sedan. Lexus previewed the design of the upcoming LS with the LF-FC concept that debuted last year at the Tokyo Motor Show. If the LF-LC to LC 500/LC 500h transition is anything to go by, we have the feeling that the next generation LS will look remarkably similar to the LF-FC concept.

Tags: Lexus, lc 500h, lc-fc

Brandon Hill

Brandon received his first PC, an IBM Aptiva 310, in 1994 and hasn’t looked back since. He cut his teeth on computer building/repair working at a mom and pop computer shop as a plucky teen in the mid 90s and went on to join AnandTech as the Senior News Editor in 1999. Brandon would later help to form DailyTech where he served as Editor-in-Chief from 2008 until 2014. Brandon is a tech geek at heart, and family members always know where to turn when they need free tech support. When he isn’t writing about the tech hardware or studying up on the latest in mobile gadgets, you’ll find him browsing forums that cater to his long-running passion: automobiles.

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