Lexus lobs refreshed RC coupe
BY TIM NICHOLSON | 6th Dec 2018
LEXUS Australia’s refreshed RC coupe has hit showrooms, with the two-door sportscar gaining tweaks to its suspension and styling as well as incurring a slight price increase across the range.
The Japanese premium manufacturer has also dropped the Sports Luxury grade from the RC300 and RC350 variants.
Pricing now kicks off from $66,174 before on road costs for the RC300 Luxury, which represents an $845 price jump, while the RC300 F Sport is $200 dearer at $74,529.
The RC350 Luxury has gone up by $1845 to $69,874 and the RC350 F Sport is up by $200 to $77,529.
Pricing for the refreshed 351kW/530Nm V8-powered RC F flagship is yet to be confirmed, but the pre-facelifted model was offered from $137,729.
As reported, the updated RC, which was revealed at this year’s Paris motor show, gains a refreshed front and rear bumper, updated mesh pattern on the grille, new LED headlights, new alloy wheels and external mirrors that are shared with its larger and pricier LC stablemate.
Inside it gains larger kneepads on either side of the centre cluster, a new analogue clock borrowed from the LC and new-look heater and audio controls.
Under the skin Lexus has added new shock absorbers and stiffer suspension bushings for what it says is a “flatter, more supple ride quality” and sharper handling.
As before the RC300 uses the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivering outputs of 180kW/350Nm, while the RC350 is powered by the 3.5-litre V6 pumping out 232kW/380Nm. Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Both Luxury grades now feature a blind-spot monitor with lane-change alert, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, cornering lamps, auto-dimming exterior mirrors and two new trim colours – ochre and dark rose. The RC350 Luxury also gains adaptive variable suspension.
Luxury grades are already fitted with leather-appointed trim, heated and ventilated power front seats with memory function, keyless entry and start, satellite navigation, a 10-speaker audio system, 18-inch alloy wheels and a front performance damper.
New gear for F Sport variants includes newly designed 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels inspired by the LS and LC, a new “triple-eye” LED headlight design, automatic high beam, Naguri aluminium trim inlays inside and four new trim colours – F Sport Flare Red, F Sport Black/Tuscan Sun (yellow) and F Sport White.
The F Sport comes standard with adaptive variable suspension, 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, an F Sport steering wheel, sports power front seats, acceleration sound control and a limited-slip differential.
Safety wise, all grades feature the Lexus Safety Sense+ system that includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, active cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist and automatic high beam.
The Luxury features a new Sparkling Meteor (blue) hue among its palette of seven exterior colours, while the F Sport has nine.
Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson said updated RC was influenced by its LC flagship sportscar.
“The latest RC line’s sporty appearance and versatile driving character have been inspired by our flagship LC coupe, consolidating its position as an outstanding premium luxury coupe in the market,” he said.
