Audi SQ5 long term review: A tall sports wagon in a pinstripe suit

Not having raised children, I never got the appeal of the SUV and frowned upon them, preferring the dynamics of a wagon. We all know the mantra: Worse handling, braking, performance, fuel economy, increased rollover risk, etc. But after the first nephew was born, the coupe was out of the question and then we tried a child seat in the sedan, and loading a stroller in the trunk, and suddenly it all made sense. It’s all about load height, ingress and egress. Those child seats don’t stay in the back seat all the time, and the SUV height meant installing them was easier. Not to mention securing the little guy and picking him up out of the seat.

Reinforcing the SUV decision, prepping for a move meant numerous trips for donations and not having to lift over a sill plus the increased vertical room was so convenient. It became clear the coupe, an Infiniti G37, had to go. An old, somewhat tired Ford Edge certainly motivated us to upgrade to a modern vehicle as well. The shopping began for the SUV.

In the price range being considered, there’s no losers. The BMW X5 was too familiar from the interior of the sedan and the overall shape was too common having been around for many years. My wife didn’t want all the buttons along the center console in the Porsche Macan although that would have been my choice. The Jaguar is somewhat striking in appearance but just didn’t have the appeal. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio wasn’t available yet and the looks didn’t capture her eye. Infiniti was too familiar after the coupe and didn’t have the power I wanted. Mercedes had the GLC 43 AMG which sounded great, there was a V8 twin turbo 63 model as well, but the interior didn’t sell her. But the 2018 Audi SQ5 interior did.

I knew it was a great vehicle performance wise. Mid-13 second quarter mile, which I verified one warm night, 13.6 @ 100mph. Car and Driver tested it to .93g on the skipad on the 21” Pirelli summer tires, which I approached while following and giggling behind a Porsche 911 GT2 RS on an on-ramp for a review after a photo shoot, and the braking distance from 70mph in an absurdly low 148ft. These are fairly serious sport sedan numbers from a tall, heavy vehicle. The disadvantages have faded with technology. 

Adjustable and adaptive air suspension is very comfortable in Comfort mode of course, but for good roads its usually found in Dynamic mode. Offroad/Lift for going to the lake or even better, cleaning the wheel wells which are lined with a black velvet-like material. The Auto mode does something, we don’t care what it is, it is never left in Auto mode. There is also an in-between all-road height.  The rear will squat down further for easier loading and unloading as well. It looks a little odd though when left in that tail dragger mode when parked and automatically rises at start-up. Total adjustability is about 4 inches.

The throttle response has too much lag in Dynamic mode, but pulling the shift lever back activates Sport mode. Then it responds properly but it also holds a lower gear while cruising and raises the idle rpm. If only Dynamic had the same throttle response as Sport mode it would be perfect. The shifts are soft, and accompanied by a nice pop from the exhaust. By the way, you should hear it at start-up, very throaty and burbles. But Sport mode needs firmer shifts.

The mileage penalty of being an SUV just doesn’t exist enough to care whatsoever. Mid 20s at 85mph cruising speeds and Car and Driver reported 28mpg at a steady 75mph. And it’s quiet, loafing along at 2200rpm or so at 85mph. The 18.5 gallon fuel tank adds further to the convenience. All this performance and efficiency magic from a 3.0 liter, single-turbo, hot-vee (the exhaust is in the inside of the V-6 configuration) making 354hp at 6400rpm and 369lbs ft torque at a diesel-like 1370rpm to the ubiquitous ZF 8-speed automatic.

Now in its second generation, its based on the MLB Evo platform which also underpins the A4 sedan. The previous generation SQ5 has a supercharged V-6 that made 23lbs ft less torque and that peak was 3000rpm higher. It’s AWD system has a 60% rearward bias but can send 85% of the power to the rear wheels depending. A very solid and quiet vehicle, equipped with the optional acoustic glass, it is a very quiet and comfortable highway cruiser and the wife’s choice versus the sport sedan for road trips anywhere.

Interior gauges are somewhat configurable on the thin film display virtual cockpit.  It has a linear boost gauge that reads “Max” but no numeric numbers. The coolant gauge is also a bar graph, but the oil temp is numeric. One day with 102 degree ambient temps, cruising at 85mph uphill, we saw 240 degrees. Not unexpected anymore, but it takes 0W-20 weight oil, 10,000 mile change intervals. At 2,228 miles, the Blackstone Lab Analysis was excellent, then changed again at 9831 miles for the 10k service. Then again at 19,316 miles and the results were great. Interestingly, the VW oil specification 508/509 is not as widely available as expected.

Exterior styling is pretty safe with that general appeal of classy and sporty.  The 21” wheels are painted gray between the spokes and look great. The red brake calipers with S line branding give it that performance hint. We don’t run front plates on the cars and Audi offers an aluminum snap-in trim piece that matches the grill to fill in the gap that was left. Apparently, there’s a black-out package that looks pretty good, others have replaced the grills with an all-black piece. The roof rack rails are a brushed metallic as well as the side view mirrors. It looks good, classy, but not the aggressive blacked-out style. My wife says it reminds her of a pinstripe suit. 

The most annoying thing about the car is the auto shut-off and start. To the point that’s the first thing we do after starting the car is pressing the off button. Its so intrusive when the engine does shut-off, not to mention the ridiculousness of shutting off at a stop-sign. The car hasn’t even rocked back on its air springs and the shudder is felt. We’ve literally begged the dealer to change the default to off. I’ll gladly keep it on at long traffic lights, trains and the drive-through but that’s it. If it wasn’t so intrusive and noticeable it wouldn’t even be an issue.

A few times at very low speeds the Audi Pre-Sense will slam on the brakes thinking there is an object in the way. The epoxied border feature in the garage has caused it to activate when backing out. Sensors have a long way to go but these are minor complaints.

Surprisingly the steering wheel is a manual tilt and telescope for a vehicle with an MSRP of $66,000. However the purchase price was 10% off during a Penske sale. The 2019 model has a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel. I wanted the ventilated seats but my wife chose the beautiful Nappa leather quilted seats with red stitching. They are firm yet comfortable and the leather is spectacularly soft and showing no sign of wear.

Due to an object striking the windshield a replacement was a $1700 repair due to the heads up display and calibration needed for the electronics, a Quantum Grey 2019 model was provided for a comparison. It had the Black Optic package which meant 20” all season tires, the wheels, grill, and roof rails are black along with the side mirrors. Lacking the air suspension, it was a softer ride in Dynamic mode, doesn’t have the All-Road ride selection and of course, no change in ride height. Throttle tip-in is improved as well. An inductive charging phone pad is also a convenient addition.

We aren’t sure if the protruding wheel well molding on the 2018 is for the 21” wheels or eliminated for 2019. A second recall has been issued to have the dealer secure the rear trim piece after a recall for the first. Again, minor annoyances and dealer service is top notch.

Equipped with Pirelli Summer rated tires, they are now about due for replacement after 20,000 miles. In the original 255/40/21 size, replacement tires at The Tire Rack start at $293. OEMs at $349. Yeah, that’s not happening. Go up to a 265 width with only a .3” height increase and there are all-season choices from Michelin, Pirelli and Vredestein for under $250 each. And even a couple of Summer tires for under $200. Much better.

Other neat aspects comes to mind. The huge panoramic sunroof is a joy to have, and we had it tinted to offset the heat. The windshield also has a clear tint to prevent heat build-up and it makes a noticeable difference driving and less build-up when parked. The optional electronic rear differential works it’s magic, a full-throttle, 90-degree turn is stupidly quick and it remains composed and neutral.  The four rings projected on the ground is cool, and got favorable comments at the dragstrip one night. The 360 degree camera and visual parking assist is particularly handy. 

That overly sensitive sensor mentioned does work well for an audible warning of approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space, but the sudden pre-sense braking can also be a bit much in its warning, unless of course you’re not paying attention.

It’s still a compact vehicle for child seats, if we had our own littles, it would be too small. A rear facing child seat still requires the front passenger seat to be moved forward a bit. The rear seats fold down flat but also require the front seat back to be moved forward firsts at well. But the cargo capacity is excellent.

We’re thrilled with our choice. A capable performer, efficient, quiet, and wonderfully comfortable. It’s seen the dragstrip, was in a couple Cars & Coffee events, lots of excursions with the nephews and granddaughter and is a joy to drive. The phrase that comes to mind is there are bigger SUVs and faster SUVs, but no better SUVs. Now that is what you call owner satisfaction.

Garage Luxury from Ballistic Concrete Coatings

Having a garage is a luxury. Whether for two wheels or four, motorized or not, being able to store and work on your precious vehicles, covered and protected from the elements and crime is an essential for the enthusiast. Adding a floor covering makes it even nicer, to the point it feels like a new addition to the home.

Some use the garage only for storage, but that isn’t us, is it? A garage has always been a priority. When I relocated to California from Illinois, I specifically looked for an apartment that had a garage. Then when shopping for a townhouse, I specifically sought a two-car garage.  A couple cars later I had to rearrange it twice to accommodate my 200” long Charger SRT-8 and Harley Davidson Softail Deuce motorcycle. My generous neighbors gave me storage cabinets and another a Shop Vac, which was really wonderful of both of them. 

When I moved in with my future wife, we rearranged her garage, had some drywall repaired and painted, added some storage cabinets and hung some artwork. Definitely an improvement, not a bad place to be, but the floor was still the well-worn and stained original. Those additions were not inexpensive either. To my surprise I learned that the garage entry door was narrower in that home than the transition rental we stayed at for a few months.

The dream wasn’t complete yet. Escaping from the rat race, congestion and crime of San Jose-Silicon Valley, we bought a home in Rocklin, CA that, we both agreed, had to have a three-car garage. This one already had cabinets and finished walls. Now we’re talking!

It was time to get to work. An 18,000 lumen overhead light from Home Depot with a motion detection sensor and hanging some framed posters were affordable upgrades that made it more inviting. Even more so when arriving home at night and the garage is nicely lit. A dimly lit garage is like a dungeon.

But the floor, now that absolutely transformed the garage. I didn’t want to a roll-on covering that could potentially bunch when turning the car or SUV wheels or be harmed by the motorcycle kickstand. Not to mention a less than perfect fit. The decking was also considered but I didn’t want seams, nor anything potentially trapped underneath like moisture from rain runoff, etc. I wanted an industrial grade floor with some texture. Epoxy was the way to go.

Calling multiple, highly rated epoxy floor companies resulted a bit of an education. Measure the square footage yourself, don’t let them give a little buffer for their profit with an inflated number. One of the companies failed to call me back and by the time they did, it was too late. When I politely declined, the late-night messages bad mouthing his ex-partner didn’t do him any favors whatsoever. To the point I was compelled to Yelp him as well.

Our part was cleaning out the garage, moving everything outside, covered by the porch or tarps. The motorcycle sat on the front walkway, covered and locked. Then the painting started to freshen it up. That was a lot of work, cleaning, patching and the ubiquitous color Swiss Coffee worked with the previously painted ceiling of the same color.

Expansion seams and cracks filled along with the stem-walls being coated, which are the concrete ledge that surrounds the garage floor, were included in the flooring estimate. I thought I wanted a really fine grain vinyl flake until my wife pointed out it will look like oatmeal. And the owner of the company I chose, Mike from Ballistic Concrete Coatings pointed out a larger flake pattern will be more noticeable from a distance as opposed to looking like a solid color. 

The first step was a light grinding to remove all the dirt and surface imperfections. This is the noisy and dusty part. Then the cracks and seams are filled, and a moisture barrier applied to the surface. Then the flake was sprinkled throughout the garage and then the epoxy was mixed and applied. One tip, I suggest taping off the bottom of cabinets and shelf surfaces due to dust and the errant vinyl flakes that get missed or find their way inside.  

In agreement for social media mentions, which I will gladly continue to do, Ballistic Concrete Coatings wanted to enhance the visual appeal and added a resin border around the perimeter which looks amazing and was done before the flake. It really highlights the floor and the effort. It took an extra couple of days due to the measurement, taping and application, but it’s cool as hell with great, swirling depth.

Without the border, pricing generally seems to be $4 per square foot and less but add for a border or custom work. One thing about a finished garage is it’s like adding a room to a house. Walking barefoot isn’t bad at all as opposed to the bare slab. What that meant, I soon learned, is wanting to keep that floor clean. Which now means I need a mop to clean the man-cave, typically water stains from rain run-off or car washes or the eventually dirt that gets tracked in from the tires. A small price to pay.

For the motorcycle, because the kickstand isn’t smooth, I used my kickstand pad that usually sits in the glovebox in case of a soft surface, sanded the bottom to remove any edges, and use that for the kickstand.

The last step is garage door insulation to keep the garage from getting so hot during the summer months. One recommendation is the Corning kit. It doesn’t have the smooth appearance like a panel kit with Styrofoam, but it does have an R-value that is nearly double, doesn’t make an awful mess when cutting and is more flexible to install. The Styrofoam kit was returned the same day it was bought.

With the epoxy the garage is visibly lighter, cleaner and much more inviting. The finished product makes for a warm environment that now feels like a home addition and doubles as a nice setting for photographing various vehicles besides a place to do projects. A huge thank you to Ballistic Concrete Coatings for a fantastic job. 
https://www.ballisticconcretecoatings.com/

The Can't Miss California Car Extravaganza - The Quail

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is one of those car show events that sticks with you like a favorite movie in your head. As you replay the day in your mind, you remember each car and its location, each display, even the food you ate, the drinks consumed. Always held on a Friday at The Quail Lodge and Golf Club in Carmel, California, this seventeenth annual event was held on August 16^th, 2019.

It was an outdoor garden party on a golf course with 6,000 automotive enthusiasts and intentionally fashion forward guests. But they aren’t just enthusiasts, they are industry leaders, motorsports legends, celebrities, and more. During my second lunch, I shook hands with Adam Carolla while he was looking for a seat. One year Wayne Carini and I walked into the show together. Usually I see Ed Welburn, retired head of GM Global Design and thank him for his contributions. We said hello to Mr. Olympia trainer and owner of Evogen nutrition, Hani Rambod as well.

This year the three special classes were 100 Years of Bentley Motors. The EXP 100 GT Concept car was simply stunning artwork, inside and out. The 25^th Anniversary of McLaren F1 had four incredibly valuable entries which included a one-of-ten GTR Longtail.

The debuts are always fun, some a first for North America, other times world debuts. Some during the early media access, hours, others during general admission. The Lotus Evija EV is stunning, the Bugatti Centodieci, the Bentley previously mentioned, the Acura Type S Concept were just a few.

There was also Pagani Huayra BC Roadster, the Lamborghini SVJ 63 and the Huracan Evo GT Celebration. The Drako GTE from Drako Motors,  from the Barracuda Networks founder Dean Drako is a very attractive sedan. The ultra curvaceous DeTomaso P72, the Rimac based Pininfarina Battista, the Rolls Royce Cullinan in Fux Orange, a custom color for famous Rolls Royce collector Michael Fux.

The Aston Martin Valhalla looked surprisingly subdued in silver, the SSC Tuatara was also featured along with its bare chassis. The Koenigsegg Jesko was also a real treat to see. There was also a display of vintage Volkswagen Vans and cars famous from TV shows and movies.

The Fireside Chats this year were with Mark Webber, winning Formula 1 driver and 2015 WEC champion moderated by Philip Kadoorie. Mark shared interesting insights about competition and friendship. The other was with Alex Hirschi, aka Supercar Blondie, moderated journalist Hannah Elliott who I also enjoy following on Twitter.

The six cuisines offered had amazing dishes and drinks. Be sure to get there early so you can have gourmet meals multiple times during the day. It’s sometimes a challenge to find a seat but whomever you share a table with is always friendly to talk to during the meal. 

It is important to recognize the supported charities which were the Rancho Cielo Youth Campus, The Naval Post Graduate School Foundation, California Highway Patrol 11-99 Foundation and the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.

The Best of Show award went to a 1931 Stutz DV 32 Convertible Victoria and the Spirit of The Quail award went to a gorgeous 1957 Ferrari 335S. The Peninsula Classics Best of the Best Award winner had it’s own display, a 1937 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Berlinetta.

A few minor areas of improvement are needed. With ride sharing being so popular, a shuttle service from the Baja Cantina location would be a good idea, since services like Uber and Lift are not allowed to drop-off at the event itself. The pet dog situation, despite not being allowed, is getting a little much just like any event these days.

The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering is a $650 ticket to incredible cars, a beautiful setting with the hills of Carmel as a backdrop,  includes delicious food and drink, people watching like none other, and truly one of the greatest car events in the world. If you love cars, make a it a life goal to attend someday.

Finally back at McCall's Motorworks Revival Party!

Now in its 28th year, this event is dialed in and superbly planned. Running later than I wanted, I was concerned about parking availability. As a media/VIP ticket holder, it meant parking on Garden Road and catching a shuttle. This worked out much better than expected, was as simple as could be, found a spot easily and a short walk to the clearly marked shuttle stop. 

An exciting gala, greeted with champagne and perfect weather made for a great evening. Security was noticeably increased and thoughtfully mentioned by Gordon McCall during his short thank you speech. There were metal detectors and wands with lines moving faster than any airport. Plenty of friendly CHP and DHS uniformed officers were on hand, and Gordon mentioned the FBI and Navy Seals from the local Naval Post Graduate School in attendance. 

The variety was of vehicles, winged and otherwise, was impressive as always. From old modded trucks sitting in the shadows of modern jet aircraft, an electric motorcycle across the aisle from the new Ford GT500 and GT Mk II. Also on display was McLaren’s new GT and F1 long tail race car, multiple special construction hot rods, Ruf Porsches along with Porsches reimagined by Singer. On the aviation side there were stand-outs such as warbirds, a B-25 and P-51 Mustang, private class jets such as the new Gulfstream G500 and Dassault 900EX and much more. 

Drinks flowed, with quite a variety from champagne, beer, wine, tequila and vodka. Appetizers were particularly delicious and for those seeking a real (i.e. big) meal, the paella on a massive wok was awesome. 

Considering the temporary nature of the jewelry and watch displays, they were done quite well with Bremont, Eberhard & Co., H. Moser & Cie, Kerbedanz, Reservoir Watch SA, Chronoswiss A.G. and Winston’s Estate Jewelers. As always, the CHP 11-99 Foundation was well represented and had a very successful fundraiser as the event is a major sponsor and supporter.

The 28th Annual McCall’s Motorworks Revival was a wonderful evening with 3000 fun-loving vehicle enthusiasts. It is a must-attend to really get a feel of what the Monterey Car Week is all about and kick it off in proper fashion.

See my Barely Streetable Facebook page for the full photo album.

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 long term review

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When shopping for a practical car, yet wanting a performance aspect, what compromises do you make? What if your annual miles are twelve thousand to a high as twenty thousand per year? Higher horsepower versus fuel consumption? What about fuel tank capacity for convenience? What about insurance costs? Meanwhile the payment on the car is a monthly visitor to your psyche as it depreciates at a greater rate as the miles pile up. 

Will the tires cost $750 to replace every 12-18 months or $1400 if you drive with passion? What if you choose super soft compounds for better braking, handling and acceleration? Offset tire sizes can’t be rotated, meaning new tires may be needed in sets of two versus four, with more frequent purchases and installation intervals. Not to mention no rebate specials unless four tires are purchased at the same time.

Settling on a price range, the shopping started on Autotrader and the recurring search result with all the factors accounted for was an Infiniti Q50 Red Sport. A 400hp, 28mpg, 20 gallon gas tank equipped sport sedan.  With an MSRP of $52k, this dealer demo was under $42k. Since my wife had a wonderful experience of reliability and wear with a 2009 Infiniti G37 Coupe Journey, confidence of a happy long-term existence was high. Yet with a production V-6 record turbo rpm of 220,000, the I opted for the factory extended warranty.

First the fun part, the 400 horsepower 3.0 liter twin turbo V-6 is a smooth power plant with a selectable driving mode for throttle response. And that’s the beauty, it’s a hair trigger, near instant power delivery at low rpm which makes for an extremely satisfying driving experience.  Lag is virtually non-existent and the 19”, 265 width rear run-flat Dunlops light up easily from a roll after the initial step-off. Forget the Eco and Snow/Ice modes, they just kill the driving experience. There is an all-wheel drive version that provides better traction, but like this rear-wheel drive model, it doesn’t offer a limited slip differential. A disappointing shortcut.

The exhaust has a slight burble at start-up and a faint hum at wide open throttle but it no way is it part of that aural excellence that makes a gas engine so enjoyable. Infiniti does offer a sport muffler dealer option but it should be cockpit adjustable or just spruce it up a bit. At least the transmission, steering and suspension all have configurable settings that can be saved in the “Personalized” mode. It has to be manually selected every time at start-up. You know, for fuel economy reasons. More silliness. 

Styling is on the mellow side of the aggressive scale. The 19” wheels have a dark finish with red brake calipers, standard performance fare. The low hood contributes to good outward visibility but the chrome touches try to bring it back to the luxury side despite the black canards in front. It really needs a blackout package.

The Dunlop tires are inferior despite being double the cost of non-runflat performance tires. They ride a little harsh and the front right tire was cut by the wheel rim on the inside after hitting a pothole, resulting in a sidewall bulge. The fifty percent discount for the pro-rated replacement cost as much as if I had bought new. What a pain.

Later the rears were replaced with slightly taller Michelin P285/35/19s with the Dunlops still in front. The subtle weight shift with the taller-than-stock rear tires, different tread compound, pattern and larger tread width delta has made the steering more darty at times. Changing fronts to slightly taller and wider Michelin Sport AS3s in 255/40/19s completely cured it. 

Performance testing by the magazines had quarter mile times in the very low 13 second range and I achieved a 13.0 at 110mph bone stock, nearly a full tank of gas  in quite warm weather. That was also with a soft 2.2 60ft launch. Clearly a 12 second car. Overall gearing is shorter than expected, turning 2600rpm at 85mph.  The highest speed allowed by the cruise control is 89mph, which is a perfect compromise of speed and mid-20s fuel economy. One trip with the two of us and weekend luggage saw 28mpg at 78mph. Update: 12.7s -12.9s with the taller, wider, stickier tires with 2.0 60fts up to 110mph. 

The non steer-by-wire steering has a fairly quick ratio which is nice and light in the comfort mode. Feel isn’t great but it does stiffen appreciably in Sport and Sport+ modes. It may not handle like more focused competitors, but its certainly better than the common commuters floating around on public roads with narrower, harder, all-season tires. And far quicker to boot. The seats are superbly comfortable for long distance driving as well as a quiet interior for serene drives at speed.

This 2017 model lacking a boost gauge, coolant and oil temperature gauges further point to the mainstream aspect versus data intensive performance. However these are offered in newer models as part of a configurable display. The lack of Apple CarPlay may be a bigger deal to some with the older models like this 2017 but the voice command for phone and navigation works reasonably well.

The common complaint among owner enthusiasts is the infotainment interface but the only issues I have is the fingerprints on the lower touch screen and a phone call will take over the upper navigation screen until you select another function and then go back to navigation while talking. There is always room for improvement, some of it should be offered as a quick programmable upgrade by the dealer.

Oddly the trunk lid is a little heavy to open, and I popped the license plate light out of the socket with my finger accidentally while opening the trunk. In over 20,000 miles and 1.5 years, this is the only problem I've had inherent to the car. 

The center dash display is easy to manipulate views and to read.  The audio and phone controls on the left of the steering wheel and cruise on the right with the center display selection are easily learned. The shifter paddles are large and well-designed in feel and appearance but manually shifting doesn’t provide any advantage, there’s still some delay in upshifts and downshifting doesn’t provide a lot of engine braking unless high into the rpm range.

The automatic power retracting seat and raising steering wheel is great for ingress and egress but surprisingly, power ventilated seats were not available in the Q50 line-up at the time. It is partially alleviated by the cool down that occurs with the remote start. Tip: Tint all windows as well as a darker sunroof tint with clear for the windshield for heat reduction. 

Currently red stitching with quilted leather seats along with a black headliner are offered for a more upscale appearance as opposed the ubiquitous light grey headliner seen everywhere, across multiple manufacturers.  

There is a chassis control function that is supposed to manage throttle response based on navigation map of the road but it doesn’t work when the throttle map is in sport mode. Needless to say I’ve never experienced that chassis control feature since the engine is always in sport mode.  Also, I always opt for the Limited option in terms of releasing information to Infiniti. Aren’t we tracked enough by our phones?

The Infiniti Q50 Red Sport is a pretty compelling blend of practicality, luxury and performance. Even in the MSRP range of $52,000, it wins out on the horsepower comparison. It’s tough to make a bad decision at that price point, but this was a very satisfactory one.

Lexus LC 500 - the howling grand tourer

I’m not sure what category the Lexus LC 500 falls under, but all I know is that I liked driving it, a lot.  Running through the gears and hearing the exhaust, which I did often, it reminded me of a Mustang GT350. Thinking back when I tracked the Lexus LC 500 a couple years ago at Laguna Seca, and hearing that glorious sound, the low driving position, I realized it also brought back memories of the Audi R8 V-8. This one is $105,345 alternative to the now departed mid-engine exotic with roughly the same performance capability.

All I know is, whether it’s a muscle car, an exotic or simply a Grand Tourer, it was fun as hell and is already missed. It really impressed on the track among the journalists several years ago. Lexus lists the weight at 4280lbs, but turning or braking, one would guess far less. The excellent driving position and low center of gravity works wonders for driving feel. It felt neutral and confidence inspiring. But that exhaust sound! It just stays with you for days, even weeks after.

Looking at my notes, there are multiple entries of how good it sounds. The revs have to build in the 5.0 liter, 471 horsepower, naturally aspirated V-8 to feel the power, but they rise to a guttural, exotic scream. Hold 4000rpm or higher and it yowls down the road. Surely its intentional that the volume control down button is perfectly placed for left thumb activation while downshifting the paddle. Upshifts occur in .12 of a second. Tap your stopwatch start/stop as quick as you can, it will be about .12 of a second. I did .11 to .13 on my iPhone. The transmission response with the adaptive learning makes for a very satisfying driving experience.

Tire spin isn’t felt like you’re used to, with shaking, vibration and such. No, this is so refined its more of a slight detection of loss of adhesion, a faint feeling of incompatible throttle position, engine and exhaust sound not matching the rate of acceleration.

Besides all that aural excellence and fun acceleration, it’s a great cruiser.  It’s very quiet at high speed and a mixed driving road trip of about 240 miles saw 26mpg. When really getting on the throttle, I saw 19mpg indicated. But during the commute, the limitation of adaptive cruise control comes into play.  Granted the shortest allowed following distance is selected, but these systems don’t “see” brake lights nor do the “see” the beginning of a car merging into your lane. Then the brake application is abrupt as opposed to a human driver that has already lifted off the throttle and possibly gently applied the brakes. The lane keeping system wandered too much, it was really more of an assist as opposed to an autonomous mode.

A bad pothole will be noisy and harsh, but the suspension otherwise is compliant, bumps felt and heard, but the compromise of a sports car doesn’t come to mind. What is noticed is the sharp handling aided by the rear wheel steering and feel of the variable ratio steering. Lexus also says the double-joint multi-link rear suspension is unique. And the die-cast aluminum shock towers are also a Lexus first.

Other development and technology incorporated includes LED projector beam headlights that are among the thinnest in production. The interior features a 915 watt Mark Levinson sound system which wasn’t utilized much because the engine and exhaust had a mega-watt soundtrack. Besides Apple CarPlay, Lexus offers an Amazon Alexa app, with the abilities such as audiobooks, Amazon Music, making lists, and smart-home capability along with Navigation sync. 

The Lexus Enform app offers more connectivity with smart watch, smartphone, etc. allowing for remote start and other abilities. The touchpad is widely criticized, and it did require some careful manipulation at times, but it wasn’t a show stopper. The sliding gauge display changes color depending upon the drive mode selected, included a g-force meter and more.

Other complaints are very minor. The sun visors are too small, the interior needs one more cupholder, the center console hinge action seems less-than-Lexus level. There was some driveline shock when clumsily messing with the transmission and heavy throttle application but didn’t cause any issues.

The styling is captivating, perhaps the color and vehicle width distracted from or matched the polarizing Lexus grill. The LC 500 has lots of shapes and features. Curvy hips, the low, optional carbon fiber roofline, the touches of chrome and the unique A-pillar to hoodline crease, along with the dripping metal taillight trim at the rear corners made for a compelling photographic subject. When the taillights are illuminated, they have a cool glow with 80 LEDs on each side that Lexus modeled after the afterburner of a jet. Flush door handles that pop out was another nice touch.

It was somewhat popular at the excellent Folsom Cars and Coffee, as rarely seen cars usually are. Comments varied from “Too much going on visually.” Which it does have a lot, but that contributes to its uniqueness. Others pointed out the unique body lines, especially the A-pillar crease. Another mentioned this is one car where the controversial grill works.

Other comments during the week I drove it included:

“Sounds really good!” from a fellow driver in the evening commute while I rowed the gears.

“Haven’t seen one on the road before.”

“Wow it’s a Lexus.”

“I really like it. Looks futuristic.”

It reminds me of a concept car or a modern interpretation of custom coachwork from “back in the day”.  Perhaps the Jaguar F-Type is a competitor but the Lexus has a back seat but it isn’t really for passengers, more like snack bags, backpack and hats for the road trip. Also it doesn’t appear as visually low and wide as the Lexus, yet the Lexus is slightly taller.

Between the styling, sound, performance and great driving position, it’s one of those cars that makes you want to drive it, take pictures, absorb and meld with its essence, and make it part of you. I’d say whatever category it falls under, no matter what the track numbers are, that’s really what counts.