Butterfly effect for Lexus LC Limited Edition

Lexus has announced a limited edition of its svelte LC coupe, introducing an exclusive paint colour inspired by an American butterfly.

Applied to the vehicle body in seven layers, the colour – 'Morphic Blue' – has been inspired by the shimmering wings of the American Morpho butterfly. According to Lexus, a conventional blue paint reflects less than 50 per cent of visible light back as blue, but Morphic Blue reflects nearly 100 per cent.

Based on a pigment that is created over an eight-month period in 12 production steps, the colour is the end product of 15 years of in-house research by Lexus. So time-consuming and labour-intensive is the production process, the Lexus plant at Motomachi in Japan can only build two LC coupes per day in this colour.

Light reflected from the microscopic lattice structure of the butterfly's wings is not actually blue in colour, but the interplay of light creates the optical illusion they are blue. In a similar way, the 300 billion nano-structure (super-small) pigment flakes provide an iridescent lustre to Morphic Blue, which appears to change colour when the light shines on it from different angles. Lexus claims the vehicle has to be seen in reality, not in a photo, to appreciate the full effect.

Inside, the LC features a 'Chrysalis Blue' colour scheme, in a mix of semi-aniline leather and Alcantara upholstery, with carbon-fibre scuff plates also fitted. The Chrysalis Blue treatment in the cabin combines orange, blue and white accents.

"The LC Morphic Blue Limited Edition adds extra elements of exclusivity and hand-finished quality to the brand's sensuously designed coupe," says Scott Thompson, Lexus Australia chief executive.

"Offered in extremely limited numbers, this will be the car of choice for those who recognise and value the interaction of science and the highest standards of Lexus Takumi craftsmanship," he said.

Lexus will charge $2500 extra for the limited-edition LC in Morphic Blue. Both V8 (LC 500) and hybrid (LC 500h) variants will be available in the colour, priced at $192,500.