SINCE the first Lexus rolled off the production line 25 years ago, the Japanese car-maker has built a loyal customer base with a range known for its luxury, comfort and customer service.

But in an increasingly competitive marketplace, the company has been diversifying its range which has now grown to include a choice of large SUVs and a small hatchback in addition to the large sedans on which its name was built.

Now the company is looking to capture yet another segment with younger and performance-focused owners in its sights – a move which began with the V8-powered IS-F and hyper-exclusive, hyper-fast LFA.

The next step in the attention-grabbing sports model plan is the car you see here and the company's first volume coupe – the RC 350.

Lexus says the two-door coupe will inject passion into the brand, attracting a whole new type of customer with unique looks, rear-drive handling and a true GT package, but without compromising the synonymous Lexus luxury.

Priced from $66,000 before on-road costs and packing a 233kW front-mounted V6, on paper the newest Lexus looks as though it will give the German rear-drive coupes a run for their money.

We spent a day putting the RC 350 through its paces to see if measures up against BMW's fresh 4 Series, Audi's pretty A5 and the C-Class coupe from Mercedes.

Click here for the full review...