LEXUS HAS UPGRADED the stylish RC sports coupe with a series of focused changes that pursue more dynamic driving responses and even higher safety standards.
Headlining the changes is the addition of new adaptive control software for the intuitive 8-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) automatic transmission standard on both 2.0-litre turbocharged RC 300 and 3.5-litre normally aspirated V6 RC 350 models.
New adaptive control software operates in NORMAL, SPORT and SPORT S+ modes and now more assertively adapts transmission shift points according to driver input and road conditions.
In Normal mode, during gentle driving the transmission control continues to favour higher gears to improve fuel efficiency while for sportier driving, it will now adapt and hold lower gears longer to deliver optimum torque, response and control.
If Sport or Sport S+ mode is selected, the adaptive control will even more readily select lower gears during the braking phase when spirited driving is detected.
Both Lexus RC 300 and RC 350 models also benefit from modifications to the rear suspension with the installation of an increased diameter stabiliser bar with reduced wall thickness and newly developed high-strength aluminium for the upper arm, helping to reduce weight while ensuring rigidity.
Lexus has also enhanced convenience with the adoption of an electric park brake (replacing foot-operated).
For improved safety, new all-speed Radar Active Cruise Control (RACC) is standard in all variants of the updated Lexus RC.
All-speed RACC is able to adapt to the changing road conditions at all speeds, including coming to a complete stop in traffic, before automatically starting again. For the RC 300, this includes switching off then on the vehicle’s Stop & Start engine system without any driver input.
Lexus Australia Chief Executive Scott Thompson said the addition of new features to the RC sports coupe ensures that Lexus continues to offer customers even higher standards in key areas.
“These upgrades to the sporty, yet luxurious RC sports coupe further the Lexus reputation for making regular and thoughtful improvements to our entire range,” Mr Thompson said.
“The advanced technology and engineering in the Lexus RC ensures that every journey prioritises driver connection, dynamic performance and safety.”
The latest upgrade to the Lexus RC builds on an already extensive list of luxurious convenience features including dual-zone climate control, heated and ventilated power-operated front seats, leather-accented interior, a 10.3-inch display screen with Lexus Remote Touch-pad Controller, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, DAB+ digital radio, satellite navigation, plus a 10-speaker Pioneer audio system.
The comprehensive standard Lexus Safety System+ incorporates a Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS) with Pre-Collision Braking (PCB) including Pedestrian Detection, Radar Active Cruise Control (RACC), Automatic High Beam (AHB) and Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist (LDW+).
A Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Lane Change Alert (LCA), reversing camera, clearance & reversing sonar and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) are also standard.
In addition to the upgraded features, the Lexus RC is also now offered in two new colours – Sonic Chrome and Celestial Blue – along with the other existing palette including White Nova, Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Onyx, Graphite Black, Infrared, Zinnia Yellow and Cobalt Mica.
Lexus has also ensured the upgrades come at minimal cost to customers with all recommended retail prices increasing by just $100.
| Grade | Price |
| RC 300 Luxury RC 300 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 1 RC 300 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 2 RC 300 F Sport RC 300 F Sport with Enhancement Pack 1 RC 350 Luxury RC 350 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 1 RC 350 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 2 RC 350 F Sport RC 350 F Sport with Enhancement Pack |
$67,990 $68,980 $72,680 $75,736 $78,236 $70,736 $72,726 $75,426 $78,736 $81,236 |
All prices plus on road costs
RC 300 Luxury highlights
• 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with direct injection
• Rear Wheel Drive
• Maximum Power of 180kW
• Maximum Torque of 350Nm
• 8-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) Automatic Transmission
• Stop & Start engine system
• Fuel consumption (Combined): 7.3 L/100km
• Drive Mode Select – ECO, NORMAL and SPORT mode
• Front performance damper
• Double wishbone front suspension
• Multi-link rear suspension
• 18-inch 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with 235/45 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres
• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and Washers
• Keyless smart entry
• Self-dimming interior mirror
• 10.3-inch Multimedia screen with Lexus Remote Touch-pad Controller
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation
• Multimedia voice control
• 10-speaker 256W Pioneer DVD Audio
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Leather-accented interior
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power operated front seats with driver memory
• Power adjust steering column
• 60/40 split-fold rear seats
• 374L cargo storage
• Clearance & reversing sonar (8-head)
• Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS) with Pre-Collision Braking (PCB)
• PCS includes Pedestrian Detection
• Radar Active Cruise Control (RACC)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)2 with Lane Change Alert (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Automatic High Beam (AHB)
• Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist (LDW+)
RC 300 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 1 adds
• 19-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 (F) and 265/35 (R) Bridgestone Potenza tyres
• 17-speaker 835W Mark Levinson DVD Audio system
RC 300 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 2 adds
• 19-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 (F) and 265/35 (R) Bridgestone Potenza tyres
• 17-speaker 835W Mark Levinson DVD Audio system
• Power tilt & slide moonroof
• Smart key card
RC 300 F Sport adds (except Power tilt & slide moonroof)
• 19-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 (F) and 265/35 (R) Bridgestone Potenza tyres
• 17-speaker 835W Mark Levinson DVD Audio system
• Smart key card
• Triple-stack LED headlights and LED daytime running lights
• Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
• SPORT S+ and CUSTOM drive modes
• F Sport TORSEN limited slip differential
• F Sport suspension tune
• F Sport Performance front brake package
• F Sport digital instrumentation & interior trim
• F Sport steering wheel, scuff plates and pedals
• Acceleration Sound Control (ASC)
RC 300 F Sport with Enhancement Pack adds
• Power tilt & slide moonroof
RC 350 Luxury highlights
• 3.5 Litre V6 Petrol Engine with Direct Injection and Dual VVT-i
• Rear Wheel Drive
• Maximum Power of 232kW
• Maximum Torque of 380Nm
• 8-speed Sports Direct Shift (SPDS) Automatic Transmission
• Drive Mode Select – ECO, NORMAL, SPORT S, SPORT S+ and CUSTOM
• Fuel consumption (Combined): – 9.1 L/100km
• Front performance damper
• Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
• Double wishbone front suspension
• Multi-link rear suspension
• 18-inch 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with 235/45 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres
• LED headlights with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and Washers
• Keyless smart entry
• Electric retractable and self-dimming exterior mirrors
• Self-dimming interior mirror
• 10.3-inch Multimedia screen with Lexus Remote Touch-pad Controller
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• DAB+ digital radio
• Satellite navigation
• Multimedia voice control
• 10-speaker 256W Pioneer DVD Audio
• Dual Zone Climate Control
• Leather-accented interior
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Power operated front seats with driver memory
• Power adjust steering column
• 60/40 split-fold rear seats
• 374L cargo storage
• Clearance & reversing sonar (8-head)
• Pre-Collision Safety system (PCS) with Pre-Collision Braking (PCB)
• PCS includes Pedestrian Detection
• Radar Active Cruise Control (RACC)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Lane Change Alert (LCA) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Automatic High Beam (AHB)
• Lane Departure Warning with Steering Assist (LDW+)
RC 350 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 1 adds
• 19-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 (F) and 265/35 (R) Bridgestone Potenza tyres
• 17-speaker 835W Mark Levinson DVD Audio system
RC 350 Luxury with Enhancement Pack 2 adds
• 19-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 (F) and 265/35 (R) Bridgestone Potenza tyres
• 17-speaker 835W Mark Levinson DVD Audio system
• Power tilt & slide moonroof
• Smart Key Card
RC 350 F Sport highlights
• 19-inch 10 spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 (F) and 265/35 (R) Bridgestone Potenza tyres
• Triple-stack LED headlights and LED daytime running lights
• Smart key card
• Lexus Dynamic Handling (LDH) with Dynamic Rear Steering
• F Sport TORSEN limited slip differential
• F Sport suspension tune
• Variable gear ratio steering
• F Sport Performance front brake package
• 17-speaker 835W Mark Levinson DVD Audio system
• F Sport digital instrumentation & interior trim
• F Sport steering wheel, scuff plates and pedals
• Acceleration sound control
RC 350 F Sport with Enhancement Pack adds
• Power tilt & slide moonroof
Once we have tested and assessed the new Lexus RC range, seniordriveraus will bring you a comprehensive review, including everything the over-50 driver needs to know.