The Lexus LC 500h takes luxury hybrid tech to a new level

We will be driving the V8-engined LC 500 soon, but for now, we're focusing on the hybrid exclusively. What we have here is effectively a Prius-like gas-electric hybrid setup, but with a much more powerful gas engine and a transmission that is quite unlike the Prius' oft-maligned continuously variable unit.

The motor is a 295-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 — in and of itself, a pretty tasty powerplant, just not quite up to snuff an exciting grand-touring car such as the LC 500h. A pair of electric motors bumps the output to 354 hp (with power stored in a lithium-ion battery). And then comes the complicated transmission.

It's effectively a CVT combined with a more familiar four-speed gearbox, two transmissions for the price of one (the LC 500h, by the way, stickers for over $4,000 more than the LC 500).

I've experienced the general idea in other vehicles, and the concept is to overcome the balky torque delivery of a CVT and provide the spirited driving dynamics that enthusiasts crave from conventional geared transmissions, but without clonking the hybrid fuel economy.

The best way to think about it is that the LC 500h can be driven like a car with a normal transmission, either in full auto or manual mode. Especially in manual mode, you want the power to be delivered in a crisp manner, without any lag.

What the LC 500h's system does is provide the torque required when the driver wants it, until the driver doesn't want it, at which point the LC 500h goes back to being a Prius in nature — until the driver wants torque again.

Yes, there's a lot of engineering behind all this. But the bottom line is that it's tremendous in practice. That sort of buzzy, always tapped-out CVT feeling that Prius owners such as myself know and love is never in evidence.

Apart from the styling, which was admired by everyone we encountered who looked at the car, the most interesting aspect of the LC 500h is the hybrid-electric drivetrain and its exotic transmission.

As with many systems these days, the view can be customized to display multiple types of information — in this case, audio and navigation.

The infotainment screen is modest in size. But that's no knock — screen are typically not huge on sports cars.

Lexus' infotainment system for the LC 500h is functional and comes with all the modern touches, but it's not well-loved. You have navigation, multiple audio options, voice activation, Bluetooth connectivity and AUX/USB ports. But the know-button-trackpad combo is difficult to use.

As sports-car trunks go, the LC 500h's isn't actually too bad. In classic GT fashion, there's room in here for a fashionable couple's weekend gear.

The sunroof lets in light, and the sloping, fastback rear window prevents the snug rear seats from becoming small cave.

Seating for two, and only two. And it's helpful if they aren't fully grown adults.

That's a cozy, yet stylish, back seat!

You've got Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus at your disposal. You choose using a small drive move selector that juts from the instrument panel.

The digital instrument cluster changes depending on which drive mode you're in.

Very sophisticated. Note the grab handle for the passenger. Yes, there's enough performance bottled up in the LC 500h to induce grabbing hold of something under certain circumstances.

This steering wheel is fantastic. Leather-wrapped, perforated, and with nice big shifting paddles. As you can see, the overall vibe in here is rich and subdued, with the leather counterpointed by brushed-metal trim.

The dark leather interior provides abundant comfort, if severely limited space. The driver and passenger will be relatively content, and the seats are supportive and well bolstered.

The door handles present themselves in response to the key fob — check out the tiny Lexus logo.

Big old brake calipers and discs provide the stopping power.

The LC 500h is a hefty car, at almost 4,500 lbs. With a 0-60 mph time of just over five seconds, this machine is quick without being blisteringly fast. But the weight means that solid brakes are essential. Bottom line is that what we have here is a proper GT, powerful but also capable of comfortable cruising.

... widening to a pair of athletic rear haunches and a pair of rectangular exhaust pipes. The LC 500h might be a hybrid, but its looks get ya coming and going.

The overall design is aggressive, and the car comes in a non-hybrid variant, the LC500, which has a stonking 471-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 under the hood. This bold coupé starts strong in the front with swept-back headlights and huge scoops then narrows through the doorline before ...

Grille, headlights, and Lexus badge are all in proportion for the LC.

The controversial Lexus "spindle" grille. It works on some vehicles, such as the LC and the Lexus SUVs, but it's less successful on the brand's sedans.

We didn't initially think the looks were particularly show-stopping, but EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO WALKED BY begged to differ. The only vehicle that garnered more attention of late was our 2016 Car of the Year, the Acura NSX.