Driving Performance Was Given Priority

Last year'sTokyo Motor ShowatConcept Vehiclewas exhibited, and the sporty coupe "RC," which garnered much fan anticipation, has finally gone on sale. The "RC" in the car's name stands for "Radical Coupe." While "Radical" means extreme in English, in slang it carries a meaning similar to "Cool," such as supreme, stylish, or wonderful. Following the same unveiling at the Tokyo Motor Show,recently launchedtheNX, it has taken nearly a year to bring it to market.

The lineup is broadly divided into two. The "RC" features a 3-liter V6 naturally aspirated engine or a hybrid system combining a 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor. The "RC F" is a high-performance model equipped with a 5-liter V8 naturally aspirated engine boasting a maximum output of 351kW (477ps). The former is available in a base model, a luxuriously equipped "version L," and a sporty "F SPORT" grade. The RC F, in addition to its base model, also offers a "Carbon Exterior package".



IS seriesAs introduced, the RC adopts a platform that follows the "IS series" and is positioned as a "rear-wheel-drive model targeting personal use, establishing Lexus's premium luxury and sporty image." The quality is, as befits the Lexus brand, of a high standard. However, what was emphasized even more was its driving performance.



To achieve this, the chassis has been thoroughly reinforced and refined. The front section"GS"series, the middle section the open-top "IS C," and the rear are based on the "IS" structure. By adding structural members called rockers with twice the cross-sectional area of the IS series, and braces, along with thicker panels, a body with high rigidity befitting a sporty two-door coupe has been constructed.



Furthermore, structural adhesives and an increased number of spot welds were used, along with high-rigidity glass adhesives. Despite the large openings of a two-door, it boasts top-class rigidity among the existing lineup.



The body measures 4,695mm in length, with a wide 1,840mm width. The height is 1,395mm, creating a distinctive wide and low form with a stable, wide stance. The wheelbase is 2,730mm, set 70mm shorter than the IS series to enhance agility.

RC F Also Available with Package Featuring Carbon Parts

The base model's grille features a vertical motif, a new design that clearly differentiates it from sedan models. The sporty "F SPORT" grade and the high-performance "RC F" version continue to use the mesh design.



The RC F further incorporates aggressive body parts focused on performance, such as wide fenders with side air outlets, hood air outlets, and a retractable active rear wing, immediately conveying its distinction from other lineup models to the observer. Additionally, a "Carbon Exterior package" is available, which uses carbon fiber for body panels in higher positions, such as the engine hood and roof, achieving a weight reduction of approximately 10kg.



The suspension, which enhances the driving feel, uses a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear setup, the same as the IS series, but features a newly designed monotube damper and ball-joint stabilizer bar. The "F SPORT" and "version L" high-performance grades come standard with "NAVI AI-AVS (Artificial Intelligence AVS)," which uses cornering information from the navigation system to pre-emptively control damping force, in addition to the electronically controlled "AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system)."



Furthermore, the RC350 "F SPORT" is equipped with variable gear ratio steering and "LDH (Lexus Dynamic Handling System)," which integrates and controls rear-wheel steering. Naturally, both the gasoline and hybrid "F SPORT" models feature specially tuned sports suspension.

Three Powertrain Options

The powertrain options include a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It delivers a maximum output of 234 kW (318ps) at 6,400 rpm and a peak torque of 380 Nm (38.7 kgm) at 4,800 rpm. The hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine producing a maximum output of 131 kW (178ps) at 6,000 rpm with an electric motor generating 105 kW (143ps) and 300 Nm (30.6 kgm) of torque.



The "RC F," on the other hand, is equipped with a newly developed 5-liter V8 "2UR-GSE" unit and an "8-Speed SPDS (8-Speed Sport Direct Shift)" transmission capable of shifting in as little as 0.1 seconds in "M mode." It achieves a maximum output of 351 kW (477ps) at 7,100 rpm and a peak torque of 530 Nm (54.0 kgm) between 4,800-5,600 rpm, offering performance that could be called supercar-level from not too long ago.



In addition to these high-output powertrains, the RC F features specially tuned suspension. It comes standard with a Torsen LSD, and an optional "TVD (Torque Vectoring Differential)" system, a world-first for FR vehicles, is available.



TVD optimally controls the drive force distribution between the left and right rear wheels based on driving conditions, maximizing tire grip. It is an innovative device that achieves ideal vehicle behavior during cornering. It offers three modes: STANDARD, SLALOM, and CIRCUIT, which can be selected according to the driving situation.

RC F Also Stands Out in Price

The standard-equipped VDIM with sport mode is linked to the drive mode select, offering NORMAL mode for smooth driving and high preventive safety on public roads, and SPORT mode for optimal VSC/TRC control during circuit driving. For circuit driving, an EXPERT mode (which intervenes in emergencies) is available, offering further driving enjoyment with VDIM control turned off.





Lexus RC350 | Lexus RC350

Body Size | Length 4,695 x Width 1,840 x Height 1,395 mm

Wheelbase | 2,730 mm

Tread Front/Rear | (Standard, version L) 1,580 / 1,600 mm (F SPORT) 1,580 / 1,570 mm

Minimum Ground Clearance | 125 mm

Weight | (Standard, version L) 1,600 kg (F SPORT) 1,700 kg

Engine | 3,456 cc V6 Direct Injection DOHC

Bore x Stroke | 94.0 x 83.0 mm

Compression Ratio | 11.8

Maximum Output | 234 kW (318 ps) / 6,400 rpm

Maximum Torque | 380 Nm (38.7 kgm) / 4,800 rpm

Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed AT

Drivetrain | FR

Suspension Front/Rear | Double Wishbone / Multi-link

Tires Front/Rear | (Standard) 225/50R17 (version L) 235/45R18 (FSPORT) 235/40R19 /265/35R19

Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Disc / Ventilated Disc

Minimum Turning Radius | (Standard, version L) 5.2 meters (FSPORT) 5.0 meters

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 9.8 km/ℓ

CO2 Emissions | 237 g/km

Price | (Standard) 5.96 million yen (version L) 6.60 million yen (FSPORT) 6.78 million yen




Lexus RC300h | Lexus RC300h

Body Size | Length 4,695 x Width 1,840 x Height 1,395 mm

Wheelbase | 2,730 mm

Tread Front/Rear | (Standard, version L) 1,580 / 1,600 mm (F SPORT) 1,580 / 1,570 mm

Minimum Ground Clearance | 125 mm

Weight | 1,740 kg

Engine | 2,493 cc Inline-4 Direct Injection DOHC + Motor

Bore x Stroke | 90.0 x 98.0 mm

Compression Ratio | 13.0

Engine Maximum Output | 131 kW (178 ps) / 6,000 rpm

Engine Maximum Torque | 221 Nm (22.5 kgm) / 4,200-4,800 rpm

Motor | AC Synchronous Motor

Motor Maximum Output | 105 kW (143 ps)

Motor Maximum Torque | 300 Nm (30.6 kgm)

Drive Battery | Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery

System Integrated Maximum Output | 162 kw (220 ps)

Transmission | Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission

Drivetrain | FR

Suspension Front/Rear | Double Wishbone / Multi-link

Tires Front/Rear | (Standard) 225/50R17 (version L) 235/45R18 (FSPORT) 235/40R19 /265/35R19

Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Disc / Ventilated Disc

Minimum Turning Radius | 5.2 meters

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 23.2 km/ℓ

CO2 Emissions | 100 g/km

Price | (Standard) 5.65 million yen (version L) 6.27 million yen (FSPORT) 6.29 million yen




Lexus RC F | Lexus RC F

Body Size | Length 4,705 x Width 1,850 x Height 1,390 mm

Wheelbase | 2,730 mm

Tread Front/Rear | 1,555 / 1,560 mm

Minimum Ground Clearance | 130 mm

Weight | (Standard) 1,790 kg (Carbon Exterior package) 1,780 kg

Engine | 4,968 cc V8 Direct Injection DOHC

Bore x Stroke | 94.0 x 89.5 mm

Compression Ratio | 12.3

Maximum Output | 351 kW (477 ps) / 7,100 rpm

Maximum Torque | 530 Nm (54.0 kgm) / 4,800-5,600 rpm

Transmission | Electronically Controlled 8-Speed AT

Drivetrain | FR

Suspension Front/Rear | Double Wishbone / Multi-link

Tires Front/Rear | 255/35ZR19 / 275/35ZR19

Brakes Front/Rear | Ventilated Disc / Ventilated Disc

Minimum Turning Radius | 5.4 meters

Fuel Economy (JC08 Mode) | 8.2 km/ℓ

CO2 Emissions | 283 g/km

Price | (Standard) 9.53 million yen (Carbon Exterior package) 10.3 million yen