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Category: Luxury News (Page 10 of 15)

JetBlue Receives First Airbus A321neo Aircraft With Reimagined Mint® Layout

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU) today announced it has formally taken delivery of its first Airbus A321neo (new engine option) aircraft configured with the airline’s reimagined premium Mint® experience and an all-new onboard layout, featuring comfort and connectivity perks that set the airline apart from other U.S.carriers. The aircraft is scheduled to arrive at JetBlue’s home at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) tonight from the Airbus production facility in Hamburg, Germany.

JetBlue’s A321neo with Mint features 16 Mint suites – including two Mint Studios™ – and 144 core seats. It will first operate on select flights between New York-JFK and Los AngelesInternational Airport (LAX) this summer. Today’s delivery – tail N2105J named “NEO Mintality” – brings JetBlue’s total fleet count to 270 aircraft, is the airline’s 16th A321neo and the first of this aircraft type to feature Mint.

Travelers can spot the A321neo with Mint by its unique “Ribbons” tailfin. The design features three blues from the airline’s brand palette and is the first tailfin inspired by so-called “Op Art” – as in optical art – using simple shapes to create the illusion of three dimensions and movement.

All Suites, All the Time 

The first major design overhaul of Mint – designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates – will debut on select flights between New York and Los Angeles this summer.

Click the link below to view the full JetBlue press release!

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210226005628/en/

Hilton Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

MCLEAN, Virginia – Hilton Worldwide Holdings Inc. (“Hilton” or the “Company”) (NYSE: HLT) today reported its fourth quarter and full year 2020 results. The following results reflect the material impact that the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic has had on Hilton’s business. Highlights include: 

  • Diluted EPS was $(0.80) for the fourth quarter and $(2.56) for the full year, and diluted EPS, adjusted for special items, was $(0.10) for the fourth quarter and $0.10 for the full year
  • Net loss was $225 million for the fourth quarter and $720 million for the full year
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $204 million for the fourth quarter and $842 million for the full year
  • System-wide comparable RevPAR decreased 59.2 percent and 56.7 percent on a currency neutral basis for the fourth quarter and full year, respectively, from the same periods in 2019
  • Approved 18,700 new rooms for development during the fourth quarter, bringing Hilton’s development pipeline to 397,000 rooms as of December 31, 2020
  • Opened 22,900 rooms in the fourth quarter, reaching the one million room milestone and contributing to 47,400 net additional rooms in Hilton’s system for the full year, which represented approximately 5.1 percent net unit growth from December 31, 2019 
  • As of February 10, 2021, 97 percent of Hilton’s system-wide hotels were open
  • In December 2020, issued $1.9 billion of senior notes consisting of: (i) $800 million aggregate principal amount of 3.750% Senior Notes due 2029 and (ii) $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2031; and used the net proceeds to redeem: (i) $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding 4.250% Senior Notes due 2024 and (ii) $900 million in aggregate principal amount of outstanding 4.625% Senior Notes due 2025 
  • In January 2021, repaid $250 million of the outstanding debt balance under the $1.75 billion senior secured revolving credit facility
  • In February 2021, issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.625% Senior Notes due 2032 and used the net proceeds to redeem $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of outstanding 5.125% Senior Notes due 2026

Click the link below to view the full press release!

https://newsroom.hilton.com/assets/HWW/docs/2021/Q1/2020-Q4-Earnings-Release-FINAL.pdf

JetBlue Announces Change Is In The Air

How we travel continues to evolve, and for valued JetBlue (Nasdaq: JBLU) TrueBlue members, we want to let you know how we’re evolving what’s included in our fares to let you choose what’s most valuable to you, and provide peace of mind with flexibility and a better boarding experience. 

More travel flexibility.
All fares will still enjoy no change or cancel fees through 3/31/21. After that, changing or cancelling your plans will still be easy, with:

  • Blue Basic fares can be changed or cancelled for a fee, based on route.
  • No change or cancellation fees for Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra and Mint fares (fare difference applies). Same-day switches can be made on the day of departure (after 12:00 midnight in the departure city’s time zone) for $75, without paying a fare difference. 
  • There is no charge for same-day switches with Blue Extra fares.

(In addition to offering the most flexibility, our Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra and Mint Fares let you rack up TrueBlue points and Mosaic qualifying points faster.) 

Getting a handle on carry-ons.
Starting 7/20/21, our new carry-on bag policy will guarantee overhead bin space to those traveling on a Blue, Blue Extra or Mint fare or who book an Even More® Space seat on domestic flights within the U.S.,—or you get a $25 Travel Bank credit1. That’s right—no more guessing if there will be room for your bag on board, no matter when you board.

  • Blue Basic fares booked on or after 2/25/21 for travel 7/20/21 or later will only include a personal item that fits under the seat in front of you. Carry-on bags that go in the overhead bin will not be allowed. 
  • Exceptions to the Blue Basic no-carry-on bag policy extend to Mosaic members, travelers combining a Blue Basic fare with an Even More® Space seat, unaccompanied minors and active military.

To learn more, and get answers to frequently asked questions, please visit jetblue.com/fares

No matter what fare you choose, you’ll always enjoy the award-winning JetBlue experience you know and love—like the most legroom in coach2, fleetwide free high-speed wi-fi3, free inflight entertainment, and free brand-name snacks + drinks. 

We appreciate your continued loyalty and look forward to welcoming you on board again soon.  

Here’s to blue skies, 

Don Uselmann
Vice President, Loyalty

WynnBET Conditionally Approved for Online Sports Betting in Tennessee

JERSEY CITY, N.J., /PRNewswire/ — WynnBET, the premier casino and sports betting app from the global leader in luxury hospitality, Wynn Resorts (NASDAQ: WYNN), announces that it received conditionally approved last week for sports gaming in Tennessee. The Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation’s Board of Directors approved WynnBET to operate its online sports betting app throughout the state, pending fulfillment of statutory and regulatory requirements to go-live.

Tennessee marks the ninth state that WynnBET has gained market access to as the Company fast-tracks its growth plan to meet the demands of the quickly moving online and mobile sports betting industry.

Inspired by Wynn Resorts unmatched expertise in customer service and sophisticated brand experience, the WynnBET app offers an ultra-intuitive and highly responsive interface that delivers hundreds of sports betting options to delight both aficionados and beginners alike. With its acquisition of BetBull in 2020, WynnBET is built on a foundation of highly social sports-betting technology and one-of-a-kind experiences so that wagering and winning can be a celebrated and shared experience.

WynnBET is currently available in New Jersey, Colorado, and Michigan. In addition, WynnBET has market access opportunities in Indiana[1]*, Iowa*, Massachusetts*, Nevada, Ohio*, and now Tennessee; and has submitted for licensure in Virginia. Such market access and licensure are subject to legalization and required approvals by regulatory authorities in each jurisdiction.

For more information, visit WynnBET.com

Pilatus Aircraft Offers PC-24 With 10-Seat Commuter Interior

A first PC-24 with high-utility 10-seat commuter configuration has been delivered to a customer in the western United States, allowing the Super Versatile Jet to prove yet again how it is an excellent fit for the widest of mission profiles.

Pilatus now offers a commuter configuration for up to ten passengers, delivering a safe, efficient, private, cost-effective corporate travel solution for company employees. Each seat is installed with a quick-release mechanism allowing easy cabin reconfiguration for all transportation requirements.

Passengers and cargo transport 

The PC-24’s payload capacity of 1,134 kilogrammes and standard large cargo door enable operators to load large, bulky items that no other business jet is capable of carrying with such flexibility. The cabin features a private lavatory which can be serviced from the exterior. Unlike many other light and midsize jets in this category, the lavatory seat is not used as a passenger seat: the loss of comfort for the passenger is simply too great.

Seat pitch in the commuter configuration varies from 34 (86) to 40 inches (102 centimetres). Each seat features a side storage compartment and cup holder as well as one USB charging port. On top of that, four 115-volt power outlets in the cabin enhance in-flight productivity. The PC-24’s entirely flat floor also adds to comfort on long trips.

Cirrus Aircraft Launches Limited Edition to Commemorate 8,000th Delivery

Cirrus Aircraft today unveiled a new Limited Edition aircraft to commemorate the delivery of its 8,000th SR Series aircraft later this year – the 8000 Limited Edition SR Series. Inspired by the company’s rich history of designing and building aircraft that inspire people to experience the world through personal aviation, the new design features bold colors and unapologetic accents on the exterior and interior.

Echoing the momentum of the runway lines as you prepare for take-off, the 8000 Limited Edition SR Series features an exterior that is impossible to miss. The design is accentuated by an industry-first Volt wing paint scheme, commanding attention on the ground and in the air. The unmistakable graphics and colors carry through into the interior with Volt stitching on the seats and embroidery on the door, and luxury perforated leather on the seats and throttle. In addition to the exciting new design, each of the limited run of eight (8) exclusive 8000 Limited Edition aircraft will be delivered along with a curated series of gifts and events for the new owners.

Cirrus Aircraft’s first high-performance SR Series airplane – the SR20 – was delivered in 1999 and transformed general aviation with intuitive avionics, game-changing performance and revolutionary safety systems, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®). The SR Series has been the world’s best-selling single-engine piston for 18 years in a row, with a portfolio that includes the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T. Later this year, the company will deliver its 8000th SR Series aircraft and exceed 11 million flight hours in more than 60 countries around the world.

The sixth generation SR Series – G6 SR Series – quickly reaffirmed Cirrus Aircraft’s position as the industry leader and, once again, raised the benchmark for high performance, single-engine aircraft. The 2017 G6 SR Series launched the high-speed Cirrus Perspective+TM by Garmin® flight deck, Cirrus SpectraTM wingtip lighting, premium cockpit connectivity solutions and more. In the following years, the G6 SR Series was further enhanced with flight deck upgrades and new features in connectivity, including the Cirrus Aircraft mobile app powered by Cirrus IQ™ for access to real-time aircraft data from virtually anywhere in the world, flight data streaming and the ability to text or call contacts on the ground with FlightStream 510.

The 8000 Limited Edition SR Series was imagined and designed by the Xi Design Studio – Cirrus Aircraft’s talented in-house personalization team. The Limited Edition continues to expand the Xi Design Studio’s ability to incorporate luxury automobile-inspired details, handcrafted finishes and customization defined and inspired by the owner’s imagination.

JetBlue Unveils Reimagined Mint, Setting Stage to Change Transatlantic Market

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– JetBlue (NASDAQ: JBLU) today unveiled a reimagined version of its popular Mint experience, which first disrupted the market with a fresh take on premium travel at an “unpremium” price in 2014. JetBlue’s first complete redesign of Mint again sets a new standard – this time on transatlantic flights – featuring 24 private suites with a sliding door for every Mint customer, a custom-designed seat cushion by Tuft & Needle, and countless design touches that help every customer feel at home in the air. As part of the refresh, JetBlue will also introduce its latest innovation, the stunning Mint Studio, which will offer the most space in a premium experience from any U.S. airline (a).

“Mint was an idea to make premium travel across the U.S. less stuffy and more affordable, and its performance has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations of going beyond New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco,” said Joanna Geraghty, president and chief operating officer, JetBlue. “It’s remarkable how Mint’s thoughtful design has resonated with customers as we successfully grew it to more than 30 routes. We put our heart into this redesign of Mint and were inspired by our original vision of offering customers an exceptional experience at a lower fare – which is what JetBlue is all about.”

The first major design overhaul of Mint – designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates – will launch on JetBlue’s highly anticipated London flights this summer, and a 16-seat layout will debut on a limited number of flights between New York and Los Angeles in 2021.

Introducing the New Mint Experience

  • We made every seat a suite: Inspired by the popularity of the four private suites in its current Mint configuration, JetBlue’s transatlantic Mint will offer more privacy with 24 individual suites. Every inch of space anticipates customer needs, with features including a tilting 17-inch Thales AVANT seatback screen, wireless charging capabilities, an integrated phone ledge for multitasking, and easy-to-reach in-seat power, as well as laptop, shoe and handbag stowage. 

    JetBlue is the first carrier to outfit its aircraft with Thompson Aero Seating’s VantageSOLO seat, the company’s revolutionary single aisle seating solution with a herringbone configuration developed and designed specifically for narrow-body aircraft and further customized for JetBlue.
  • Mint Studio is the pinnacle of space and privacy: The all-new Mint Studio – conceptualized by Acumen and developed in partnership with AIM Altitude – is JetBlue’s latest game-changing innovation, offering the most space in a premium experience from any U.S. airline. Each aircraft will have two Mint Studios in the first row, providing ample room for working or relaxing, and featuring a 22-inch tilting Thales AVANT seatback screen, an extra side table for added productivity, and a guest seat that can accommodate an additional Mint customer during flight at cruising altitude. When reclined, customers can kick back and relax on the largest lie-flat bed of any U.S. carrier (b).
  • Our proprietary seat design is truly a bed in the sky: JetBlue tapped Tuft & Needle, the innovative mattress company that pioneered the bed-in-a-box trend, to shape the entire Mint sleep experience onboard. Engineered for comfort, every Mint seat is layered with Tuft & Needle’s proprietary T&N Adaptive® foam and a breathable cover to create a cool and comfortable sleep experience unlike anything in the sky. The seat complements additional sleep amenities developed in partnership with the brand, including a convertible blanket with a built-in foot pocket, a memory foam lined pillow with a pillowcase, and a snooze kit with a matching eye mask and earplugs.

Bringing the JetBlue Touch to Transatlantic Travel

JetBlue’s latest version of Mint will feature a thoughtful, residential-inspired design and custom-for-JetBlue touches throughout the cabin interior.

  • Residential textures, such as flannel-covered privacy dividers, concrete lampshades, woodgrain table patterns and soft, vegan leather-covered seats and headrests, make customers feel at home in the air.
  • Custom-created suite gradient panels bring light into the cabin, while patterned door shrouds with the signature Mint leaf make a bold brand statement in a functional way.
  • First-of-its-kind mood lighting enhances the inflight experience, and a welcoming blue floor arc helps direct the customer boarding flow.

Transatlantic Mint product features and design elements, combined with the award-winning service from hospitality-trained Mint inflight crewmembers, will offer an elevated flying experience for a fraction of what other airlines charge for premium seats.

Universal Avionics ClearVision™ EFVS Selected for World’s First Supersonic Business Jet

Universal Avionics (UA) announces the selection of its ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) for the Aerion AS2. The company’s complete Head-Up Display (HUD) and EFVS solution featuring the SkyLens™ Head-Wearable Display (HWD) with its proven unlimited Field of Regard will be installed in the world’s first supersonic business jet.

“Universal Avionics is proud to be selected as the Enhanced Flight Vision System provider for the AS2 supersonic business jet,” said Dror Yahav, UA Chief Executive Officer. “By using the SkyLens as a wearable Head-Up Display, the ClearVision EFVS brings unprecedented capabilities to the airplane and demonstrates a compelling roadmap to the future, on top of the proven operational landing credit and all-weather operation.” 

ClearVision provides an innovative Combined Vision System (CVS) displayed on the pilot and copilot SkyLens HWD, the only display of its kind certified today for commercial aviation. The intuitive avionics suite includes UA’s high-resolution EVS-5000 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) camera, composed of six sensors for a comprehensive and unprecedented multispectral coverage, and 3D Synthetic Vision System (SVS). ClearVision greatly improves crew resource management in the cockpit of the AS2, supporting Aerion’s ongoing mission of faster point-to-point travel. In addition, ClearVision offers pilots the ability to overcome degraded visibility situations day and night to move in and out of airports faster, saving time and increasing operational efficiency. With SkyLens, pilots continuously operate head-up and are able to monitor flight information while retaining 3D situational awareness of terrain, and eventually aircraft traffic, through the system’s unlimited 360-degree Field of Regard. 

“We are truly excited to bring ClearVision to the highest levels of the business aviation market,” commented Marc Bouliane, UA Vice President of Business Development, Marketing and Services. “For the past year, we have worked diligently with Aerion’s engineering, flight operations and supply chain teams to refine a solution that fits the vision set forth by Aerion. We are honored to have been selected for this ground-breaking project and look forward to the production launch of the AS2 in 2023.”

ClearVision is a trusted and certified solution, flying today on a number of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Nearly 3,000 ClearVision EVS cameras have been fielded to date. Pilots have a discernable Visual Advantage against incandescent and LED airport lighting systems, and the compact size of SkyLens is critical for profiled cockpits such as in the AS2.

“With a proven track record of innovation, Universal Avionics has become the market leader in Head-Wearable Display systems and EVS sensors. This industry-leading technology will offer pilots of the AS2 unparalleled vision and enhanced situational awareness capabilities,” said Steve Berroth, Aerion’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Aircraft Development. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we seek to change the future of aviation together.”

Aerion’s pursuit of faster point-to-point travel begins with the launch of the AS2 supersonic business jet. Designed to be inherently environmentally responsible from first flight, the AS2 is the first supersonic aircraft designed to be powered by 100% engineered synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner.

The manufacture of 300 AS2 aircraft is planned for the first decade of production. The AS2 will be the first aircraft to be assembled at the company’s new global headquarters in Melbourne, Florida – Aerion Park. The state-of-the-art development – powered by sustainable technology – will incorporate headquarters operations plus an integrated campus for research, design, build, and maintenance of the company’s supersonic aircraft.

Garmin Gets Approval for GFC 600 Digital Autopilot in Select King Air C90 and E90 Aircraft

OLATHE, Kan./Jan. 21, 2020/ – Garmin® International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd., today announced it has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval for the 
GFC 600 digital autopilot in select Beechcraft King Air C90 aircraft and E90 aircraft1. The GFC 600 digital autopilot is optimized for turbine aircraft, delivering superior in-flight characteristics and new operational capabilities such as Vertical Navigation (VNAV), automatic Course Deviation Indicator (CDI) switching when paired with a GTN Series navigator, enhanced go-around capability and much more.

The GFC 600 certification for the Beechcraft King Air C90 and E90 provides owners and operators an autopilot upgrade that boasts superior integration potential with G600 and G600 TXi flight displays, the 
GI 275 electronic flight instrument, as well as the GTN and GTN Xi Series of navigators. The self-contained autopilot controller incorporates backlit keys and a bright, sunlight readable display that depicts autopilot status and mode selection. An intuitive built-in control wheel also provides convenient adjustment of aircraft pitch, airspeed and vertical speed modes. When the level button is selected, the aircraft automatically returns to straight-and-level flight.

Environmentally hardened autopilot servos designed for harsh operating conditions contain brushless DC motors offering improved performance and reducing maintenance requirements when compared to decades-old servo designs on the market today. In addition, these servos are optimized for turbine aircraft by offering more torque to help better command and respond to control demands required of turbine aircraft.

Standard mark-width (6.25-inch) design of the GFC 600 mode controller ensures the autopilot controller allows for routine installation into the aircraft’s avionics stack. Autopilot mode annunciation is available on the G600 TXi touchscreen glass flight display, as well as the G600 flight display. The addition of an optional autopilot annunciator panel also displays the selected autopilot mode in the pilot’s primary field of view and retains an identical footprint of third-party autopilot annunciators on the market.

2021 Lexus LC 500 Inspiration Series: Performance Luxury Takes Flight

The Lexus LC 500 needs no formal introduction. It greets all encounters with a growl from its powerful 471-horsepower naturally aspirated V8 engine. Its artfully chiseled lines and refined curvature marry luxury and performance in a way that only Lexus can. The new 2021 LC 500 Inspiration Series takes the grand-touring coupe to the next level with an aviation-inspired design that will land in dealerships later this winter.

Inspiration Takes Flight

The new LC 500 Inspiration Series, the fifth on the LC platform, takes cue from a partnership between air race pilot Yoshihide Muroya and Lexus engineers. The Lexus team worked on ways to create efficiencies for Muroya’s aircraft for everything from the grip design of the control column to maximizing aerodynamics efficiencies using testing data learned on Lexus automobiles. The partnership ultimately assisted Muroya on his path to winning the 2017 Red Bull Air Race World Championships.

With some of the same engineers who built the Lexus LFA supercar on board, Lexus took a unique approach to the aerodynamic efficiencies of Muroya’s airplane by turning a preconceived concept on its head – literally. They found that taking an airplane wing and flipping it upside down created vortices that improved maneuverability and efficiency at the wingtips. After the team was able to prove their theory on Muroya’s aircraft through testing and competition success, the Lexus team then aimed to employ that knowledge onto the LC by creating an automotive wing prototype built from aluminum. The team knew the final version, which would span nearly six feet in width, would need to be light, durable and warp resistant. Carbon-fiber, the same material employed on Muroya’s aircraft, seemed like the appropriate material. Yet creating a carbon-fiber wing that large, much of which would be done by hand, would be a great challenge – but it’s one the engineers took head-on.

In the end, the engineering team created an exquisite carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) spoiler that meets the demanding production quality expected of Lexus vehicles. The wing serves as the defining attribute of the new LC Inspiration Series, following the trailing edge arc of the trunk and uniquely defined with two downturned winglets on either end. The winglets, of course, are fully functional and create a vertical vortex that helps smooth out the turbulence generated from airflow along the car’s flanks.

Limited Engagement

The 2021 LC 500 Inspiration Series certainly has an interesting backstory, but its aerial inspiration is only part of the narrative. With only 100 units available, the latest Inspiration Series is a limited edition of the highest order.

Standing apart from the standard LC 500, a magnificent vehicle in its own right, the 2021 Inspiration Series is accented with a combination of features not found on any other LC package. The limited-edition vehicle is offered in one exterior color, the superbly dark Obsidian, which is paired with bold and beautiful 21-inch black forged-alloy wheels that fill out the wheel wells. An eye-catching carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof is standard, and it proves to be the perfect complement to the carbon-fiber rear air wing spoiler.

The LC 500 Inspiration Series also gains some additional enhancements in driving performance thanks to the Torsen limited slip differential. The high-capacity torque-sensing limited-slip rear differential efficiently distributes engine power to the rear axle, helping to optimize traction, handling and control in a variety of conditions. The standard Yamaha rear performance rod with damper, an available option on other LC models, provides added rigidity to the suspension package.

Stepping inside, the serialized badge on the center console immediately identifies the limited nature of the vehicle and its sequence of the 100 produced. The cabin is adorned with black Alcantara-trimmed sport seats that feature elegant Saddle Tan accents and seat belts. The steering wheel and shift lever are also accented in black Alcantara trim. A carbon-fiber scuff plate accents the door, and once inside driver and passengers can bask in the sound of the standard Mark Levinson 13-speaker 915-watt Reference Surround Sound Audio system.

The LC Inspiration Series also comes standard with a large color Head-Up Display (HUD) that projects a range of information onto the bottom of the windshield glass. Relevant information can be displayed to the driver without taking their focus from the road such as: road speed, gear, engine speed; turn-by-turn directions; Dynamic Radar Cruise Control status; Pre-Collision System; Lane Keep Assist/Lane Departure Alert; master warning indicator; information icons; clearance sonar.

Standard on the Inspiration Series is the SmartAccess Card Key, which operates all of the same SmartAccess systems as a key fob without the manual button operation. Users can simply place the Card Key on their person and use the SmartAccess system to unlock/lock the doors by grasping the outside door handle and start the vehicle once inside. Each SmartAccess Card Key also comes equipped with a backup mechanical key to unlock the doors in the event the battery is depleted.

Key Evolutions for 2021

The LC 500 Inspiration Series benefits from the same updates to the standard LC 500 for 2021. Lexus engineers were able to trim 22 pounds of unsprung weight from the vehicle, which is highlighted by the use of aluminum lower suspension arms, lighter suspension stabilizers with a hollow design and revised diameter, new high-strength coil spring material, and lighter 21-inch rear wheels.

With unsprung weight reduced, the LC’s suspension was refined to provide a smoother, softer stroke for an enhanced connection to the road. This was accomplished with adjustments to the electronic absorber controls of the front suspension to increase the length of the stroke. Engineers then optimized the bound stopper rigidity to help create a smoother overall suspension stroke. Rear stabilizer rigidity was enhanced to aid front turn-in ability to provide more linear steering input.

Vehicle control at mid- to high-speed ranges are enhanced thanks to the 2021 LC’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system gaining Active Cornering Assist (ACA). This system helps with cornering by providing brake control to the inner wheels based on G-force and lateral acceleration demands during spirited driving.

High Performance 

Upon startup, thundering through the variable Active Exhaust, the 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 issues a full-throated engine note as a call to driving enthusiasts. The LC 500 has an output of 471 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of peak torque. The LC is also capable of delivering a 0-to-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and has an EPA estimated 25 mpg rating on the highway.

Other key enhancements for the 2021 model were made to the 10-speed automatic Direct-Shift transmission on the V8-powered LC 500, as the shift logic was updated to help provide improvement for daily driving in what engineers refer to as the “active zone,” or the area where most drivers find themselves at in the 50-70% throttle range. The Direct-Shift transmission allows engine RPM to expand in this range to accentuate the feeling of acceleration before shifting into the next gear.

Lexus Enform for Safety and Convenience

Lexus Enform Safety Connect comes with a three-year trial with access to Lexus Enform response centers 24/7/365. With Lexus Enform Service Connect, complimentary for the first 10 years, the vehicle can send alerts for specific factory recommended maintenance, simultaneously alerting a preferred Lexus dealer. The Lexus App can be used to set push-reminders and alerts for maintenance and service issues. The Lexus Enform Remote (three-year trial subscription included) mobile app lets you lock and unlock doors, start the engine and climate controls, check the fuel level, and more all through your smartphone, smartwatch or Amazon Alexa–enabled devices at home.

Advanced Safety Features and Driver Support

Lexus Safety System+ comes standard on the 2021 LC 500. Lexus Safety System+ features Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist. Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is standard and includes features such as Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Pedestrian Detection. All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control is also included, as is Intelligent High Beam that will default to high-beam mode when the road ahead is clear but will temporarily switch to low beams when headlamps or taillamps are detected.

Intuitive Parking Assist comes standard on the LC Inspiration Series. It uses sonar sensors in the front and rear bumpers to detect obstacles in the vehicle’s path during low-speed maneuvering. The system gives an audible alert and the Multi-Information Display (MID) shows the position and distance to the obstacle. Blind Spot Monitor is standard equipment, as is a windshield de-icer.

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