Lexus Kills LC Hybrid After Just 8 Sales Last Year
Any way you look at it, the Lexus LC 500 is one of the world's greatest cars. I've been lucky to drive several since it came out in 2018, and each time I got behind the wheel of the V8 model, I loved it more than the last. The hybrid V6, though? No thanks.
Other people seem to agree, as a Lexus spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that the brand only sold eight of them last year. Maybe that's why it's getting the ax.
When Lexus announced the 2026 updates for the LC 500 last week, it quietly omitted the hybrid V6 model from the press releases, spec sheets, etc. A Lexus spokesperson confirmed to The Drive that only the V8 model will be offered in the States next year. The hybrid will remain available in some markets, but the U.S. isn't one of them.
The fact that they sold so few is probably all the reason Lexus bosses needed to sunset the car. Normally I'd show some remorse over a stylish coupe departing our shores, but in this case, nope. Goodbye and good riddance. Lexus
It's not often that something like this happens, where we actually keep the good car and say goodbye to the bad car. Imagine if an automaker killed the automatic and kept the manual instead of the other way around?
The 3.5-liter V6 hybrid was slow, clunky, and sounded bad, while the 5.0-liter V8 model has been a future collectible since its debut. Sometimes people sleep on good cars and that's why they get discontinued, but this time, justice has been served.
Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bloomberg
25 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Korea's SK On Aims to Best Rivals With Next-Generation Batteries
SK Innovation Co. 's battery unit plans to accelerate development of cutting-edge technologies in partnership with US and European carmakers, its R&D chief said, aiming to win back market share from peers in China and South Korea. SK On is focused on honing its edge in thermal management technology, such as immersion cooling designed to boost the efficiency of batteries for AI data centers, energy storage systems and electric vehicles, Park Kisoo, head of the company's research and development arm, said in an interview. The battery specialist already is in talks with Ford Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. to collaborate on the cutting-edge tech, he said.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shelby American To Reveal New Model During Monterey Car Week
Read the full story on The Auto Wire When Shelby American says it's going to reveal its latest model, people stop and pay attention because it's a big deal. But when the company says it's going to do that during Monterey Car Week, where usually only the very elite new vehicles are announced, it's an even bigger a cryptic announcement, Shelby American has sent shockwaves through the enthusiast community by stating that on August 13, 2025 it will reveal 'The Next One.' That revelation on social media is accompanied by a photograph showing the silhouette of a car as it drives towards a fiery sunset, we assume in Las Vegas, where Shelby American is based. There are few clues about what the new model might be. The biggest, most obvious, and least shocking one are the illuminated taillights. Those tell us the car is based on the S650 Mustang. Real shocking, we know. But rising above those is another curious and rather large detail: a big trunk-mounted wing. Because this isn't the first few Fast and Furious movies, Shelby American would only put such a modification on something that's meant to go fast on road courses, not a drag strip monster, so that's interesting. The fenders appear to be stock, but it's possible they're flared out a little. Fans of Shelby are making all kinds of wild guesses about what the new model might be. But many are speculating it's a Mustang GT with a big Whipple supercharger bolted up. That could be, but it might be something a little spicier, considering the venue for the reveal. Our best guess at this point is something based on the Mustang Dark Horse. The rear wing isn't even close to a match, but Shelby American has to do its own touches. That could easily be off, but that's our best stab at it. There's an outside chance, and we're really going out on a limb here, that Shelby American swung some amazing deal with Ford and is tweaking the Mustang GTD, taking that to new heights. It's not likely at all, but that would be amazing to see. What do you think this car is? Image via Shelby American Join our Newsletter, subscribe to our YouTube page, and follow us on Facebook.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lee Zeldin defends repealing Obama-era EPA climate change regulation
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin defended repealing the Obama-era climate change regulations that President Biden was relying on to install an EV mandate.
