The final Lexus LC rolled off the assembly line on August 22, 2026. Yesterday, Lexus posted a video documenting the end of its production. It was a somber occasion, one that marks the end of an era. The LC500 is the last Japanese car to be fully V8-powered, with no turbos, no hybrid system, just pure naturally aspirated might.
The Lexus LC almost didn’t happen. It started as a pure concept car, the Lexus LF-LC that debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Its stunning lines caused such a stir that Akio Toyoda, still new in his tenure as President and eager to remake the company’s uninspiring image, greenlit the car for production. A second LF-LC concept was commissioned, something unheard of in automotive circles, so both could tour the world and get people excited about the Lexus brand.
Even with the boss’ orders, there were challenges. Because of the LC’s curvaceous and streamlined profile, Toyota couldn’t just adapt existing suspension components to the chassis whilst cramming the 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 beneath its sloping hood. After five years in development, the LC debuted looking futuristic, gorgeous, and remarkably faithful to the LF-LC concept.
Like many Toyota and Lexus vehicles, it was underrated in its time. It was overshadowed by more flamboyant German luxury performance models initially. But as regulations tightened, other automakers abandoned naturally aspirated V8s one by one. Outside of Detroit, typically conservative Toyota stood as the unlikely sole proprietor of all-motor V8s. And not just any V8, but one of the smoothest and best-sounding of the breed.
As time went on the restrained elegance of the Lexus LC emerged to claim its spot as one of the finest grand tourers ever built. Its status as the last vestige of a proper, free-breathiing luxury V8 only made the LC all the more desirable. Sadly, despite years of rumors a more potent LC F never surfaced.
Nine years after its 2017 debut, 35,155 examples have been built at Toyota’s legendary Motomachi plant, birthplace of the Supra, Soarer, Crown, Century, Mirai, Lexus LFA, and more. Interestingly, after the announcement of the LC’s discontinuation in January 2026, special-edition LCs and 2024 and up models with the touchscreen interface saw a spike on the used car market.
Even though the LC was destined for that big garage in the sky, the production engineers at Motomachi operated by the Toyota directive, “Make the very last car the best.” There would be no senior slack here. A sign was hung above the LC assembly area reading, “LC Line Declaration of Commitment: Pouring our hearts into every unit.”
The Lexus LC’s end of production marks the closing of an era. We are unlikely to ever see another naturally aspirated V8 from Japan ever again. The Lexus 2UR-GSE V8 powered other cars, but none as beautiful. The Lexs LC a testament to what can happen with a passionate leader and dedicated engineers. It will be missed.
