Lexus Ends LC 500 Production After Nine-Year Run in 2026

Lexus has confirmed the LC 500 coupe and convertible will end production in August 2026 after nine years. Sales slipped, the hybrid was discontinued earlier, and Lexus hints at an electric LFA as the future halo model.

Danny Sampson Danny Sampson . 2 Comments
Lexus Ends LC 500 Production After Nine-Year Run in 2026

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Lexus confirms LC 500 will end production in 2026

Lexus has quietly moved the LC 500 and LC 500 Convertible into their final production year, the automaker confirmed after a dealer letter surfaced online. According to documentation shared with dealers and later posted on Reddit, Lexus expects to "continue production until the end of August 2026," marking the end of a nine-year run for its flagship V8 grand tourer.

From Detroit concept to production icon

The LC story began as a show-stopper: a striking concept revealed at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, followed by the production LC 500 debut at the 2016 Detroit show and series production starting for the 2018 model year. Built on the same platform and closely related to the RC F and CS F, the LC established itself as Lexus's statement coupe—luxurious, aggressively styled and centered on naturally aspirated V8 performance.

Under the bonnet, the LC 500 has been powered by a 5.0-liter V8 that initially produced 471 hp and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque. Over its life the engine saw modest power increases and continual tuning, but those mechanical tweaks couldn't fully offset waning market demand.

Hybrid variant and limited electric-only range

Lexus also offered the LC 500h hybrid, pairing a 3.5-liter V6 with an electric motor for a combined output of roughly 354 hp and 370 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. The hybrid used a very small battery (about 1.1 kWh usable), allowing only around 4 miles (6 km) of pure-electric driving—enough for short, low-speed EV-mode trips but not a true electrified range solution.

That hybrid didn’t make it to the 2026 lineup: production of the LC 500h ended in 2024 and its final full sale year was 2025. Sales in the last reported year were a telling sign: Lexus sold just eight hybrid LCs alongside 251 internal-combustion LC units in 2025.

Why Lexus is discontinuing the LC

Several factors pushed Lexus to retire the model:

  • Falling sales: Peak sales came in 2021 with 2,782 units; by 2022 sales fell to 1,387 and cumulative production only passed about 15,000 units by December 2025.
  • Market shift: Luxury buyers are increasingly favoring electrified and EV models, shrinking the market for boutique V8 grand tourers.
  • Aging architecture: The LC’s platform and styling, while still striking, are nearly a decade old and require a major overhaul to remain competitive.

Customization efforts such as Lexus’ Inspiration Series and Bespoke programs gave buyers personalization options, but they weren’t enough to revive volume.

Specs snapshot

  • Engine: 5.0-liter V8 (LC 500) – originally ~471 hp
  • Hybrid: 3.5-liter V6 + electric motor (LC 500h) – combined ~354 hp
  • Electric-only range (LC 500h): ~4 miles (6 km) from 1.1 kWh usable battery
  • Price (current): LC 500 coupe from $101,700; convertible from $109,200

What's next: LFA concept points to an electric future

Lexus is not announcing a direct gasoline successor. Instead, it has previewed an electric LFA concept that signals the brand’s intention to replace halo performance models with high-performance EVs. Expected production LFA derivatives are likely to command higher price tags and bring more power and new technology than the outgoing LC.

Lexus confirmed the discontinuation timeline to Road & Track, and dealers have been instructed to treat 2026 as the LC’s final model year, with production tapering off in August. For enthusiasts the LC will leave a legacy as a beautifully styled, driver-focused coupe that bridged Lexus’ past V8 performance and its electrified future.

"We expect to continue production until the end of August 2026," the dealer letter reads, signaling a definitive end for one of Lexus’ most distinctive grand tourers.

Highlights:

  • LC 500 production ends August 2026
  • Hybrid LC 500h dropped earlier; very low hybrid sales in 2025
  • LFA EV concept positioned as the likely spiritual successor

Collectors and buyers who value Lexus craftsmanship and naturally aspirated V8 sound may view the LC’s final year as a last opportunity to own a modern Lexus V8 coupe before the brand pivots fully to electrification.

Source: autoevolution

“Cars are evolving faster than ever. I cover electric vehicles, smart mobility, and the future of transportation worldwide.”

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Comments

gearflux

Hmm is this official? August 2026 seems soon. EV LFA could be cool but will it have soul? I dunno, curious to see pricing and range...

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torqueUp

Wow, end of an era! LC's V8 was pure music, gonna miss that rumble. Lexus going EV makes sense, but still feels wrong. Last chance to grab one?

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