Temperatures are mild for a South Carolina summer. The finger test suggests 9-mph winds springing from the south, though I’m no wind scientist. As the sun sets behind the Atlantic’s pointed crests, an eruption of feverish orange creeps up and around the horizon. It’s the perfect night for a lidless drive.

So, what’s a person to do when greeted by an idyllic, socially distant evening in Bluffton? Drop the convertible top and cruise William Hilton Parkway, of course. Hilton Head’s interstate, even with all its hustle and bustle and a swaying facemask hanging from my rearview mirror, feels like home. (Life’s about perspective, after all.)

But not just any luxury convertible will do. This alfresco drive requires something fresh, something like the extraordinary 2021 Lexus LC 500 Convertible, a dual-door that’s built to cruise, not peel out from a starting line. And, as fate would have it, that’s exactly the type of car that 2020 calls for.

Not once has Lexus crafted such an astonishing work of art; even the discontinued SC 430 doesn’t match this 2021 grand tourer, neither in style nor substance. Like its two-door coupe comrade (LC 500), the open-air 2021 LC Convertible is nothing short of magical, and everything starts with its luscious lid.

Retractable at the flip of a switch – a literal toggle, boxed in sumptuous soft-touch leather, sits on the center console – the LC Convertible cover is an elegant display of automotive prowess. In just 15 seconds, after a dazzling flourish of Rube Goldberg-esque choreography, its four-fabric top shuts cleanly, without impacting trunk capacity, leaving nothing but open air and a perforated ozone layer between you and Neil Armstrong’s second home.

What’s perhaps my favorite feature of the new LC 500: Its soft top can open while moving at a moderate speed (30 mph). ‘Nuff said.

High-back sport seats, which reportedly took 50 prototypes to nail down, push the LC into “best luxury convertible in America” territory. They align well with the natural position of the driver’s hips, encouraging an upright and back-supporting driving posture. Those seats are also bolstered by neck heaters (Upper Body Heating), which is certainly a nice addition for those of us who like traveling north in the winter.

No detail was spared inside the LC 500 Convertible. Door panels are elegantly stitched and feature Alcantara® trim. Ambient lighting further highlights the bold, contoured design around the dashboard. Enhanced Active Noise Control, like some sort of automotive ninja, can sense outside noise and proactively dampen it.

Also featured inside the new Lexus convertible: Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, plus an Amazon Alexa app built into the car’s infotainment system. And, like a blast from the past, you also get a CD player with your LC. It may seem crazy, but for many of us, the loss of CD players in luxury cars has left tiny Discman-shaped holes in our hearts.

Plus, with a world-class audio system, it’s the sweetest-sounding, most advanced LC ever.

The entire Lexus Safety System+ is standard on all LC Convertible trims. This comprehensive safety suite integrates advanced active and passive driver-assist equipment, including Pre-Collision with Pedestrian Detection, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Lane Keep Assist, and Intelligent High Beams.

Also available is a full-color Head-Up Display that projects pertinent driving information onto the windshield, like current gear selection, RPM, driving speed, and audio details. The display can be adjusted to cater to your own personal needs because that’s just how Lexus rolls.

With eyes glazed over, I peer longingly into the LC 500 Convertible’s sophisticated 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. It speaks to my primal side, telling me, “Hey, let’s take this baby to the limit.” I oblige the classy drop-top by pounding asphalt like it’s nobody’s business.

I switch to the newly retuned Sport S+ drive mode. Upon pressing the pad of my heel to the floor, the convertible’s naturally aspirated, 5.0L V8 lets loose a purr, its 471-horsepower* siren’s song echoing around inside the hood. Redlined at 7,300 rpm, the LC breaks the 60-mph mark in all of 4.4 seconds – my internal clock is something of a marvel – which is partly thanks to its available Yama® damper, a lightweight suspension, and a speed-activated rear wing that automatically retracts and extends depending on your speed. Yee-haw.

Not into the convertible? (To each their own.) Try the LC 500 Hybrid, Lexus’s first-ever multistage hybrid luxury car. The LC Hybrid features an Atkinson V6 that’s mated to a 10-speed transmission, powerful electric motors and a lithium-ion battery. The result: Total horsepower of 354* and an EPA-estimated 34 mph (highway)*.

Ready to build your 2021 Lexus LC Convertible? Speak with a Lexus dealer near you to get started. If you happen to live in Bluffton or Hardeeville, SC, call the sales team at Hilton Head Lexus: [[dealerPhoneSales]] [[dealerPhoneSales]]) . We’d be privileged to help you build the best luxury convertible possible.

*Disclaimers: *

*\*Ratings achieved using the required premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If premium fuel is not used, performance will decrease.*

*\*Ratings achieved using the required premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher. If premium fuel is not used, performance will decrease.*

*\*EPA-estimated 26city/34hwy/29comb MPG for 2021 Lexus LC 500h. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle’s condition and how/where you drive. See www.fueleconomy.gov.*