Turbo power for Lexus RC coupe coming soon

TURBO power continues to spread across the Lexus range with the announcement of a new four-cylinder entry point to the RC coupe range that will reach Australian showrooms in December.

The RC200t will follow the IS200t sedan – due to launch in late September – with both models delivering engine outputs of 180kW and 350Nm to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission that measures cornering G-forces to help keep it in the right ratio.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed but if the IS200t directly replaces the $57,000 (plus on-road costs) IS250, both RC and IS turbo models stand to be around $8000 less expensive than the equivalent V6.

This would pitch the RC200t at less than $58,000 – way below the less-powerful Audi A5 Coupe and BMW 420i that start from $68,200 and $70,000 respectively.

According to figures released in Europe, the RC200t can sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds (half a second slower than the IS200t) and CO2 emissions are rated at 168g/km, equivalent to combined fuel consumption of around 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres.

Lexus debuted its four-cylinder turbo engine with the NX mid-size SUV, which was launched locally in February.

In the NX200t, the engine produces 5kW less power than in the IS and RC and rather than the eight-speed transmission fitted to those cars, distributes power through a six-speed automatic and all-wheel-drive system.

Lexus announced at the Shanghai motor show in April that the same power and transmission specifications will be applied to the next-generation RX large SUV in range-opening 200t guise, which is confirmed for Australian launch early next year.

On the IS sedan, the incoming 200t drivetrain option heralds the retirement of the 153kW/252Nm 2.5-litre V6 engine.

Next in line to receive the turbo four should be the GS executive sedan range, which currently opens at $72,110 in 2.5-litre V6-powered 250 Luxury spec.