The Lexus LC500 Inspiration Series Is Very Green, Very Awesome

We have a lot of time for the Lexus LC500. The idea of an all-new car powered by a naturally-aspirated V8 in 2017 seemed almost impossible, yet here we are. Two years on, the striking grand tourer still very much very much part of the Lexus stable (also available as a hybrid, but you don’t want that one), and now there’s a tasty special edition version.

It’s called the ‘Inspiration Series’, and Lexus says it “aims to evoke a more refined, mature coupe without giving up any of the modern performance, technology and style that makes it so desirable”. It does so by being daubed with a particularly lovely shade of green paint.

It’s named Nori Green Pearl, and it’s exclusive to the Inspiration Series. Going rather nicely with the green is a set of 21-inch two-tone wheels. Otherwise, it’s all as-per the regular LC500 on the outside - there are no badges to let the uninformed know what they’re looking at, which makes it a little bit cooler in our book.

Open a door, and you’ll spot one of two custom, laser-cut sill plates. They feature geometric shapes modelled on the brake lights, although you might find yourself distracted by the Inspiration Series’ beautifully reworked cabin.

It’s clad in Saddle Tan aniline leather - the softest leather Lexus sticks in its cars - contrasted by black Alcantara. Brown stitching is used as it “ties the darker leather trim together with the seats in addition to highlighting the fanatical precision of each stitch,” apparently. All we know is the interior looks like a place we’d happily spend many hours.

There are no mechanical changes, although it’s fairly hard to fault the standard car’s 5.0-litre V8. It produces 457bhp, making 0-60mph possible in 4.4 seconds.

Just 100 will be made for the US market. In Europe, meanwhile, we’ll get something called the Limited Edition that’s finished in the same colour, except it’s titled ‘Terrane Khaki’. Unlike the US car, it’s available on the LC500h hybrid as well as the V8.