Last July 2017, on the eve of Comic-Con International in San Diego, Lexus and Marvel announced a collaboration to pair the sensational Lexus LC 500 with Marvel’s iconic Black Panther superhero character in the highly anticipated film Black Panther, which opened in Philippine theaters last February 14.
“Amazing,” “exciting,” and “awe-inspiring” are three words that describe Lexus’s collaboration with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. Appearing alongside Black Panther in the film is the Lexus LC 500, a futuristic ride fit for a superhero. With cutting-edge technology, aggressive styling, and unrivalled performance, the LC is the perfect complement for the king of Wakanda, the ruler of the world’s most technologically advanced kingdom.
Black Panther stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.
The film follows T’Challa, who, after the events of Marvel Studios’ Captain America: Civil War, returns home to the isolated yet technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as King.
But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
Just as every superhero eventually rises to conquer the obstacles they face, the LC too had its own hurdles to overcome. Debuting originally as a concept car, the LC was faced with skepticism that it would never go into production. However, it was not to remain as such.
Black Panther must always be at the top of his game, demanding only excellence from his equipment. With the LC, those exacting standards are met. Powered by a 470-hp engine, the LC delivers a breath-taking blend of power and performance. To match the Black Panther’s reflexes, aluminum, and carbon fiber are used to reduce weight and optimize dynamic handling.
On top of the protection that the Black Panther’s vibranium suit affords, it is also undeniably aggressive and sleek. Using cutting-edge technology, the Structural Blue finish of the LC 500 reflects nearly 100 percent of incoming light compared to the 50 percent by conventional blue paints. This creates a mesmerizing new shade of blue that has never been seen anywhere else.
It is only befitting that the leader of a kingdom as advanced as Wakanda take to the streets in a ride known for its razor-sharp profile and enthralling performance. The LC is forged with the steadfast spirit of Japanese craftsmanship that prioritizes fine quality and impeccable elegance. Combined with advanced technology, it’s a ride that’s surely aggressive enough for the Black Panther.
“Marvel continuously captures audiences through charismatic characters and inspiring stories — the ideal fit for Lexus’ mission to craft amazing, engaging experiences,” said Brian Bolain, general manager, Lexus marketing. “And the LC’s aggressive styling, high performance and agile handling are a perfect fit for the Black Panther’s quick, cat-like reflexes and superhuman feats. We’re excited to see the duo in action.”
To accompany the collaboration between Lexus and Marvel, Lexus also teamed with Marvel Custom Solutions to create an original graphic novel, with storytelling driven by famed writer Fabian Nicieza and cover illustrations by emerging graphic artists Scott “Rahzzah” Wilson and Szymon Kudranski. Centered around the balance between human and machine, the comic features the Lexus LC 500 with a new, Wakandan spin and its role in helping the Black Panther defeat a legendary villain.
“This campaign clicked from the get-go,” said Mindy Hamilton, Marvel’s SVP of global partnerships. “We have this bold, sophisticated hero stepping into the spotlight for the first time, and it’s been a blast to work with the Lexus team to build out a story that’ll familiarize fans with T’Challa as well as his advanced home nation of Wakanda.”
Lexus’ collaboration with Marvel is being coordinated by Lexus’ multicultural advertising agency, Walton Isaacson.
Ushering in a new era of design and engineering at Lexus, the LC 500 is expressive and stylish, with enhanced dynamic capability and performance.
Additional information on the LC 500 in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther can be found on https://www.lexus.com.ph/en/discover-lexus/black-panther.html. Details of the flagship coupe can be found onhttps://www.lexus.com.ph/en/models/lc.html.
Lexus’s passion for brave design, imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has developed its line-up to meet the needs of global luxury customers in more than 90 countries across the world.