Lexus Reveals Superhero Inspired LC

Lexus is launching a new Inspiration Series, flagship models envisioned as more exclusive and more distinguished. And to start the series off, Lexus is showing two LCs inspired by Marvel Studios' Black Panther. One you can buy, and one that's for show.

The production-ready car is a 2018 Lexus LC that Lexus says is "celebrating the attributes of sophistication, performance and innovation embodied by the Black Panther character King T’Challa, and his home country of Wakanda."

It wears striking Structural Blue paint that doesn't contain any actual blue pigment. It was inspired by the South American Morpho butterfly. Developing the paint was an eight-month process using nanostructures to control brightness and colour.

The paint reflects almost 100 percent of the light that strikes it, compared to around 50 percent from most paints. It reflects light like a series of tiny mirrors, creating a striking colour in direct viewing, but looks dark off angle.

The Inspration Series LC also has carbon fibre scuff plates, a special white interior, and unique 21-inch alloys. It also has a signature barware set from Barneys.

Lexus says that the concept Black Panther LC "incorporates (mythical) vibranium into its very core to provide added boost." We're not sure how the EPA feels about vibranium, but don't expect it to make it to a production model. The fictional material was used to create Iron Man's suit and is only found in the Black Panther's fictional homeland of Wakanda.

It makes the concept car "almost entirely bulletproof," and also allows for "self-sustaining fueling." Other real-world features include underbody glow, a panther-claw side mirror, a mask inlay on the hood, and a wide-body kit.

Lexus and Marvel are also releasing a special graphic novel for the car. Black Panther: Soul of a Machine teams up the superhero with an LC500 to fight the vilain Machinesmith. The full novel will be released in December, but you can read the first four chapters here.

The Inspiration Series LC will be available next year, and both cars will be on display at the SEMA show at the end of this month.