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The 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible is blissful, motoring beauty

Exquisite, grand, beautiful. Any of these words and more like them could be used to describe the 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible’s design. They also apply to the noise made by LexusÂ’ 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine. In fact, go down the list. The interior is just as stunning. Its handling defies the 4,557-pound curb weight. Sure, the infotainment system is hot garbage to use, but Â… who cares? Messing with a formula as perfect as the LC 500 Coupe is dicey business. That said, these designers already had one mic drop moment. WhatÂ’s a second with the Convertible? One look at the dazzling drop top is enough to turn anybody into a believer. The original LC was essentially just the LF-LC Concept brought to life in production form. Few (if any) designs of the past decade have transitioned so gloriously from the make-believe world of concept cars to production vehicles. Seeing the LC parked amongst Ford Explorers, Chevy Tahoes and other regular fare at a grocery store brings into focus how unprecedented the design is. It looks as though somebody ripped the car straight out of a fantasy novel and stuck it on city streets. The first time I drove the LC, some guy and his friend followed me for several miles until I arrived at my destination, just to scramble out of their car and get a closer look. ThatÂ’s the kind of car this is. Many years from now, there will be beautifully preserved examples of them sitting on the grass at concours shows across the country, rightfully taking its place as a shining example of peak car design from this era. And yes, those are heady words. But look at it! The Lexus spindle grille that looks so awkward and out of place on some Lexus models fits the LCÂ’s face. ItÂ’s complemented by a striking triangle-shaped triple-LED headlight design. Lexus designed the front LED daytime running lights to swoosh in the same shape and style of the grille, too. There are no obnoxious or unnecessary fake vents (looking at you, Supra). ItÂ’s not trying to be a muscle coupe with a super aggressive chin or bulging hood. The front is just clean, pointed perfection. ItÂ’s when we get to the A-pillar that the Convertible begins to diverge from the Coupe. Connecting to the top of the pillar is, well, a roof.

Consumer Reports no longer recommends Honda Civic

Consumer Reports annual Car Reliability Survey is out, and yes, there are some big surprises. First and foremost? The venerable publication no longer recommends the Honda Civic. In fact, aside from the walking-dead CR-Z and limited-release Clarity fuel-cell car, the Civic is the only Honda to miss out on CR's prestigious nod. At the opposite end there's a surprise as well – Toyota and Lexus remain the most reliable brands on the market, but Buick cracked the top three. That's up from seventh last year, and the first time for an American brand to stand on the Consumer Reports podium. Mazda's entire lineup earned Recommended checks as well. Consumer Reports dinged the Civic for its "infuriating" touch-screen radio, lack of driver lumbar adjustability, the limited selection of cars on dealer lots fitted with Honda's popular Sensing system, and the company's decision to offer LaneWatch instead of a full-tilt blind-spot monitoring system. Its score? A lowly 58. The Civic isn't the only surprise drop from CR's Recommended ranks. The Audi A3, Ford F-150, Subaru WRX/STI, and Volkswagen Jetta, GTI, and Passat all lost the Consumer Reports' checkmark. On the flipside, a number of popular vehicles graduated to the Recommended ranks, including the BMW X5, Chevrolet Camaro, Corvette, and Cruze, Hyundai Santa Fe, Porsche Macan, and Tesla Model S. Perhaps the biggest surprise is the hilariously recall-prone Ford Escape getting a Recommended check – considering the popularity of Ford's small crossover, this is likely a coup for the brand, as it puts the Escape on a level playing field with the Recommended Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. While Ford is probably happy to see CR promote the Escape, the list wasn't as kind for every brand. For example, of the entire Fiat Chrysler Automobiles catalog, the ancient Chrysler 300 was the only car to score a check – there wasn't a single Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, or Ram on the list. That hurts. FCA isn't alone at the low end, either. GMC, Jaguar Land Rover, Mini, and Mitsubishi don't have a vehicle on CR's list between them, while brands like Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Nissan, Lincoln, Infiniti, and Cadillac only have a few models each. You can check out Consumer Reports entire reliability roundup, even without a subscription, here.

Lexus adds RC 200t, RC 300 AWD for 2016

Do you really like the Lexus RC 350, but wish it had just a bit lower cost of entry? Good news for you then, as Lexus has just added a pair of new models to its two-door lineup. The RC now mimics the powertrain options for the 2016 IS. The new RC 200t slashes the cost of entry for the two-door Lexus, but it's unclear by how much. Lexus hasn't published pricing for the 241-horsepower, 258-pound-foot 200t, although we can come up with a ballpark based on the four-door model. The IS 200t starts at $38,265 compared to the IS 350's $41,810 price. Assuming the cars are similarly scaled, there's roughly a $3,500 price difference between the 350 and the 200t, so our best guess for the RC 200t is $40,200. As for the new RC 300 AWD, it uses the same 3.5-liter V6 as the IS 300, offering up 255 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with standard all-wheel drive. As for the RC's other V6 option, the RC 350 will continue to be offered up with both rear- or all-wheel drive. Power output remains pegged at 306 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Scroll on for the full press blast on the new RC, which will also come with a smattering of smaller changes for 2016. Related Video: LEXUS RC COUPE ENHANCED FOR 2016 WITH TRIO OF ENGINE CHOICES - NEW TURBOCHARGED ENGINE AND V6 AWD Three Engine Options: 241 hp Turbocharged 4-Cylinder, 255 hp V6 and 306 hp V6 Ultra-Stiff Platform for Exceptional Handling F SPORT Model with Electronic Suspension Damping and Rear-Wheel Steering Available Lexus Enform Service Connect Offers Peace of Mind October 02, 2015 -- The RC luxury sport coupe was introduced to Lexus' stable for the 2015 model year and it returns for 2016 model year with new engine variants. The new RC 200t and RC 300 AWD join the RC 350 for a more extensive luxury coupe line-up that offers drivers more horsepower options to fit their needs. In addition, the Lexus RC features several other changes for 2016. The RC 200t F SPORT and 350 RWD F SPORT now offer optional orange brake callipers and Limited Slip differential. Performance dampers are standard for RC 200t and available for RC 350 RWD F SPORT. Eminent White Pearl exterior paint replaces Starfire Pearl. Drivers can now opt in for additional peace of mind with Lexus Enform Service Connect. Lexus Enform Service Connect (one-year complimentary subscription) allows customers to remotely view information about certain aspects of their Lexus vehicle via the MyLexusandBeyond mobile application for iOS smartphone users or LexusDrivers.com.