The Specialty Equipment Market Association show (SEMA) is a more-or-less annual trade show that lets carmakers, parts manufacturers, and performance shops show off their best and most creative work. All of us at Keyes Lexus are watching the goings-on in Las Vegas a bit closer than usual this year, since one of the key exhibits is a version of the 2017 Lexus LC 500 that will be available soon to our Los Angeles customers.

To refresh your memory: we’re expecting the 2017 Lexus LC to arrive in the spring of 2017. They’re not calling this a sports car, but with a stiff body structure, daring aerodynamics, 467 horsepower 5.0 liter V-8 engine, and 10-speed automatic transmission, we figure they can call it whatever they’d like. By any name, this will be one fierce car.

The Lexus LC 500 at SEMA is a bit different from some of the other vehicles on display, since you’ll actually be able to purchase the custom bits — the Artisan Spirit body kit developed by Gordon Ting of Beyond Marketing, the lowered suspension from KW Suspension, the Brembo brakes, and the HRE P101 wheels — around the same time the car shows up in showrooms.

Further surprises await you under the hood. The stock engine has been re-bored to 5.6 liters, and with additional modifications during the rebuild, it now puts out 525 horsepower. Lexus company representatives note that a skilled tuner could easily double the horsepower of the original engine.

The 2017 Lexus LC 500 won’t be available to our Los Angeles customers for a little while longer. However, we anticipate that demand for this new Lexus car will outstrip initial supply, so we suggest visiting the Keyes Lexus showroom at 5905 Van Nuys Blvd. in Van Nuys, CA today to inquire about reserving yours.