LEXUS RC 350 IS GREAT TO LIVE WITH

2014 Lexus RC 350 F Sport

Lexus RC 350 is rapidly becoming high on our list of our favourite coupes. Sure its hard hitting big brother the V8 engined RC F Sport is even quicker and almost race focussed, but the F is far more expensive at $74,000 than the $66,000 RC 350 Luxury in which we have just spent a pleasant week.

STYLING
Lexus RC is a purpose designed two-door sports coupe, not a variant of a four-door sedan as are quite a few competitors in this upmarket field. Thus it cuts down on compromises in style, body strength and suspension dynamics.

The currently fashionable big-grille treatment has been taken to a new level by the designers at Lexus. It totally dominates the front, and the lower edges look as though they want to go even closer to the road than they already do. No one can accuse Lexus of being conservative these days – a deliberate decision made when Akio Toyoda, the grandson of Toyota’s founder, took up the position of president of Lexus and Toyota in 2009.

Lexus RC 350’s Luxury body has a neat profile, the rear end is bold, with a large built-in spoiler, side air extractors and a deep diffuser.

Inside, the large circular instruments are housed in sizeable binnacle. Though the display looks analog it’s actually electronic and in some models can be changed depending on the driver’s desires and the driving mode selected. The sporting design is finished in quality materials, with plenty of cues to the ultra-expensive Lexus LFA supercar.

2014 Lexus RC 350 F Sport

INFOTAINMENT
The 7.0-inch infotainment screen is well shaded (handy on bright Queensland days in our home area) and easy to read. The functions on the screen are operated by a touchpad between the front seats. While we had fewer miss-hits than with the ones currently used in other Lexus models, the system ranks low on our list of usability of screens.

The RC Luxury gives access to satellite navigation, a 10- speaker audio that includes DAB broadcasts and the reversing camera. It has Advanced Bluetooth, Aux and USB inputs.

ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
Power comes from one of our favourite engines – the Lexus / Toyota 3.5-litre V6. To add serious sportiness it has been tuned to increase power to 233 kW, with 378 Nm of torque at 4800 rpm. That latter may seem high by sedan standards, but keep in mind this is a full-on sportscar and ‘real’ drivers are happy to have the needle sitting will up on the dial. In any case, there’s decent grunt from about 2000 revs upwards.

The V6 sits in front of an eight-speed automatic transmission and drives the rear wheels. Retuning of the auto give it sharp changes aimed very much at the response and dynamic feel demanded by the typical owner.

2014 Lexus RC 350 Sports Luxury interior

SAFETY
With an impressive array of active and passive technology, not all of it standard on every model (check with your dealer) the Lexus RC Series will do all it can avoid a crash, and protect you should one still occur. The RC has eight airbags, an impressive number for a two-door coupe, and seems likely to gain a strong rating when Australasian NCAP testing is carried out.

DRIVING
The front seats are supportive without being aggressive to the point of being a nuisance in day-to-day driving. The back seats are designed for occasional use, but we have seen worse as far as head and leg space are concerned. A simple one-touch lever gets the front seats quickly forward so access to the back isn’t overly difficult.

This is a true sports coupe that’s guaranteed to bring smiles to faces. Choose the Sport mode and the twin-cam V6 engine produces a great sound as well as near instantaneous throttle response. Give us a well-tuned naturally aspirated engine ahead of a highly strung turbo engine any day.

Steering is amongst the best we have ever experienced thanks to excellent tuning and the use of rear-wheel drive. Thus leaving the front wheels to do nothing but steer, instead of being compromised by the need to drive the car as well. Feel and feedback are spot on.

Interestingly, we preferred the feel of the RC 350 Luxury, the lower cost model. The F Sport and Sport Luxury models have a different steering system, including some rear-wheel steer, that doesn’t feel quite as nice in day-to-day road driving.

Boot volume is very good for a sports coupe and the rear seat backrests can be folded forward in a 60/40 split to let you juggle luggage / people space.

SUMMING UP
A true sports coupe, Lexus RC 350 Luxury seriously undercuts the big name Germans and Brits on price. In many ways equals, if not exceeds, them in engine and chassis dynamics.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE
RC 350 Luxury 3.5-litre petrol two-door coupe: $66,000 (automatic)
RC 350 F Sport 3.5-litre petrol two-door coupe: $74,000 (automatic)
RC 350 Sports Luxury 3.5-litre petrol two-door coupe: $86,000 (automatic)
Note: Prices do not include government or dealer charges. Contact your local Lexus dealer for driveaway pricing.

FEATURES
ABS Brakes: Standard in all models
Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models
Cruise Control: Standard in all models
Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models
Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models
Electronic Stability Program: Standard in all models
Rear Parking Sensors: Standard in all models
Reversing Camera: Standard in all models
USB/Auxiliary Audio Inputs: Standard in all models
Bluetooth: Standard in all models
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (Lexus RC 350 3.5-litre petrol two-door coupe)

ENGINE
Engine Capacity: 3.456 litres
Configuration: V6
Head Design: DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 11.8:1
Bore/Stroke: 94.0 x 83.0 mm
Maximum Power: 233 kW @ 6400 rpm
Maximum Torque: 378 Nm @ 4800 rpm

DRIVETRAIN
Driven Wheels: Front
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Eight-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 3.133:1

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4695 mm
Wheelbase: 2730 mm
Width: 1840 mm (with mirrors folded)
Height: 1395 mm
Turning Circle: 10.4 metres
Kerb Mass: 1680-1740 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 66 litres
Towing Ability: Not recommended for towing
Boot Capacity: 423 litres with rear seatbacks folded

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Double wishbones with high-mount upper arms, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabiliser bar. Adjustable Variable Suspension on F Sport and Sports Luxury models.
Rear Suspension: Multilink, coil springs, gas-filled shock absorbers, stabiliser bar. Adjustable Variable Suspension on F Sport and Sports Luxury models.
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc

PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 6.1 seconds

FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSION RATINGS:
Fuel Type: Petrol 95RON
Fuel Consumption – Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 9.4 L/100 km
CO2 Emissions – Combined Cycle: 217 g/km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 6/10
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:
Four years/100,000 km

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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